Can Erik Cole find playoff magic with the Red Wings?

Erik Cole, 36, having played with the Dallas Stars since being traded from Montreal two years ago for Michael Ryder and a third round pick, finds himself packing his bags and going to Detroit. He has been pulled from tonight’s Stars game at the last minute. Dallas will receive prospects Mattias Backman, Mattas Janmark and a second round pick. While the Stars also give the Wings a conditional third round draft pick. The condition is that the Wings will not get the third round pick if they make the Conference Final and Cole plays half their playoff games.

Erik Cole traded to Detroit, pending trade call — Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) March 2, 2015

Prospects going to Dallas in Cole deal: Mattias Backman and Mattas Janmark. — Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) March 2, 2015

Cole has had a decent year for himself with 18 goals and 15 assists for 33 points in 57 games with the Dallas Stars, spending most of his time on the third line. Cole still skates like the wind straight to the net and Detroit is likely to ignore his paltry 14 points in 46 playoff games when making their run this season. Cole will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The New York native will probably look to sign with a new team.

Cole shoots left, but has played his best hockey at right wing, throughout his NHL career, including his 35 goal season playing with Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais in Montreal, or being Eric Staal’s right hand man for several years in Carolina. He’s also got the size and the skill to play a power forward’s game.

This is the first trade between Ken Holland and his former protege, Stars general manager Jim Nill.

Backman, 22, is a defenceman playing for Linkoping. He is primarily known for his defensive skills. The Wings 5th round pick, 146th overall, in the 2011 NHL entry draft he spent some time in the AHL the last two years before heading back to Sweden.

Mattas Janmark, 22, is a centre playing for Frolunda in the SHL. He has 36 points in 53 games for the team. He was the Wings 3rd round pick, 79th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft.

With both Cole and Vermette now off the trade market, the trade deadline on Monday is looking thinner and thinner.

Stay tuned to Last Word on Sports Hockey Department for the latest news and analysis of all the moves leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline.

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Main Photo by Lisa Gansky via Flickr