The Dallas Stars are currently sixth in the seven-team Central Division.
They're not particularly close to the NHL playoff race, but they're not yet far from it either. It's conceivable that with a strong second-half they could make it to the postseason with a fifth-place division finish, or even catch the Winnipeg Jets for fourth.
While the odds are not currently stacked in their favor, the Stars could greatly increase their chances of playing their way into the NHL season's second act by making a deal or two ahead of the March trade deadline.
Dallas GM Jim Nill has only been the man in charge of the Stars roster for about a year and a half, but for almost the entirety of that time, he's been chasing a top-pairing defenseman.
"You're always preparing. I'm scouting every day and looking for solutions every day," Nill said, per Mike Heika of The Dallas Morning News. "Sometimes, the trade deadline presents opportunities because teams might consider different paths for their team at that time. But I tend to think that these things get done more in the summer. Top defensemen are hard to find. You don't just go down to Home Depot and pick one up there."
With players like Toronto Maple Leafs defensemen Dion Phaneuf and Cody Franson potentially available, this could be the year that Nill finally adds the big defensive piece to go along with the young, homegrown blueline talent already in place.
Franson, 27, is a pending unrestricted free agent seeking a big payday. He's not elite necessarily, but he's a big, right-handed shot with legitimate offensive skill.
The Stars have already shown interest in acquiring him, according to a report from Darren Dreger, who was appearing on Toronto's TSN 1050, per NicholsOnHockey.com.
As for Phaneuf, Heika notes that the Leafs captain has six years remaining on a deal that averages $7 million a season. Prying him from Toronto, even as the season fails and the Leafs look to sell off some pieces, will cost a small fortune.
But at 29, he's squarely in his prime and would be the clear-cut No. 1 defenseman Nill has long sought.
