Dallas Stars
Trying to find a fit with the Avalanche was tough because the Avs are in “win now” mode and the Habs don’t seem to be in a hurry to part with their veterans. Well, if the Avs are in “win now” mode, the Dallas Stars are in “win right friggin now” mode. I mean, they are literally in the Stanley Cup Final as we speak.
The Stars have a couple of free agents to deal with whenever their offseason begins. Radek Faska, Denis Gurianov and Roope Hintz are restricted free agents, but none of those young forwards are going to really cash in big time. Mattias Janmark and Corey Perry are unrestricted free agents and though they are exactly the types of players Marc Bergevin loves, there is no need to trade for their negotiating rights.
The Stars also have plenty of cap space to bring back their RFAs and even UFAs if they choose. They have about $15.5 million to use this offseason.
They could use a goaltender as Anton Khudobin is an unrestricted free agent and is carrying them right now while Ben Bishop is out with injury. But, the Habs aren’t in a position to move out an NHL quality backup at the moment.
The Stars defence is solid and all locked up for next season. Why move on from a blue line that carried you at least to the Cup final?
It is hard to find a trade with roster players that makes sense here. So, we won’t. Bergevin has 11 draft picks to use at the draft and I expect plenty of tinkering trades on the draft floor (or zoom meeting, I guess?)
We could see him package a couple of later picks to jump back into the first round and take a player they covet. If someone like Russian winger Rodion Amirov falls, expect the Habs to use their vast draft capital to pounce.