When the Dallas Stars traded Janne Niinimaa to Montreal for Mike Ribeiro on Saturday, Stars GM Doug Armstrong used some of his defensive depth to land a guy he thinks may end up being the team's No. 2 center.

The plan coming into the season was to have Eric Lindros as the No. 2 center. But Stars coach Dave Tippett has used Lindros on the wing at times in the pre-season and Big E has played some of his better hockey for the Stars. His top two efforts of the pre-season came while playing right wing.

Right now the Stars' second line is shaping up as Brenden Morrow at left wing, Ribeiro in the middle and Lindros on the right side.
As things stand right now Ribeiro and Lindros are Morrow's new linemates this season, replacing Jason Arnott and Bill Guerin as Morrow's usual mates last season.

The Stars were hoping that Antti Miettinen would move into the top six forwards this season, possibly playing with Lindros and Morrow. Miettinen played well this pre-season and created a lot of chances, but ended up with just a couple of assists in five pre-season games.

The fact that the Stars moved a defenseman came as no big shock. They were going to move one sooner or later. Niinimaa, who struggled last season, was always considered a prime candidate. He played well this pre-season though.

The move leaves Jon Klemm or Stephane Robidas as the Stars seventh defensemen. Based on the last few pre-season games and practices, Klemm may be the seventh guy on the blue line right now.

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