Bill Meltzer: Stars Lose Eakin in Expansion Draft

So in losing Eakin would Stars want to replace him with a player like Sutter or draft a C and wait a few years?

Would offloading cap dump goalie with your 1st rounder make it worth getting a Tanev and Sutter?

Stars don't have to replace Eakin at center. Hitch stated he wanted Seguin and Spezza back at 1c and 2c and Faska is a lock at 3c. At best, Eakin would have been a 4c at a 3.8 million salary which was not a good situation and why he was exposed.

So in losing Eakin would Stars want to replace him with a player like Sutter or draft a C and wait a few years?

Would offloading cap dump goalie with your 1st rounder make it worth getting a Tanev and Sutter?
- Nuck4U

One of the reasons Eakin was exposed was due to the Stars' center depth. Although Ruff used Eakin as a #1 Center a lot of the time, he just isn't cut out for that role.

Hitchcock will be looking to go Seguin, Spezza, Faksa 1,2,3 down the middle.

Seguin and Spezza were pushed to the wings a lot under Ruff, but they will move back to center under Hitchcock.

The emergence of Faksa made Eakin expendable. Faksa is the perfect 3rd line checking center. Eakin's contract made him just too expensive for 4th line duties.

Additionally, the Stars have several prospects and younger centers looking to make a push in the coming seasons: Hintz, Dicinson, Shore... Sutter would not be a good fit for the very same reasons Eakin was expendable.

I don't think Chris Tanev is a fit because he is a right shot. Our right side is very solid and will be for years to come with Klingberg, Honka, Johns. The stars are in need of a LHD.

I think the best option with regards to the goalies is to just buy out Niemi. He only has 1 year remaining on his contract. Any sweetener to try to move him in a trade (such as a 1st round pick) is just too high in my opinion. A buyout seems more efficient and likely.

One of the reasons Eakin was exposed was due to the Stars' center depth. Although Ruff used Eakin as a #1 Center a lot of the time, he just isn't cut out for that role.

Hitchcock will be looking to go Seguin, Spezza, Faksa 1,2,3 down the middle.

Seguin and Spezza were pushed to the wings a lot under Ruff, but they will move back to center under Hitchcock.

The emergence of Faksa made Eakin expendable. Faksa is the perfect 3rd line checking center. Eakin's contract made him just too expensive for 4th line duties.

Additionally, the Stars have several prospects and younger centers looking to make a push in the coming seasons: Hintz, Dicinson, Shore... Sutter would not be a good fit for the very same reasons Eakin was expendable.

I don't think Chris Tanev is a fit because he is a right shot. Our right side is very solid and will be for years to come with Klingberg, Honka, Johns. The stars are in need of a LHD.

I think the best option with regards to the goalies is to just buy out Niemi. He only has 1 year remaining on his contract. Any sweetener to try to move him in a trade (such as a 1st round pick) is just too high in my opinion. A buyout seems more efficient and likely.
- thestarsvolta

So no 3C needed then that means taking a D like Heiskenan for 3OA? Or trading for Methot in flipping picks? If picks were flipped with Vegas then draft or trade 6OA for more D help now?

Would Edler be better then for top D needs if preference is to play Honka and Johns now? You don't see a top shutdown and shot suppression D like Tanev better suited for Hitch over Honka?

So no 3C needed then that means taking a D like Heiskenan for 3OA? Or trading for Methot?

Would Edler be better then for top D needs if preference is to play Honka and Johns now over a top shutdown and shot suppression D like Tanev?
- Nuck4U

If Stars keep the 3rd Overall Pick, I'm guessing they are looking at Heiskenan or Makar (even though he's a righty). That is if Nico and Nolan are off the board as suspected. Although, I think this scouting staff sort of likes bucking the trends.

I keeping seeing reports they are interested in Methot but who knows. Methot and Edler would be nice additions in my opinion but I don't think Nill wants to trade 3OA for either of them. Read something today that Nill only wants to part with 3OA for a"younger player" (maybe a defenseman maybe not). Could still acquire Methot or Edler by other means though.

Anyway this is just stuff I'm gleaning from reading what's out there and a bit of my own personal speculation. I have no inside knowledge and I'm not sure anything would surprise me. Nill likes to make splashes and this off season seems ripe for that.

If Stars keep the 3rd Overall Pick, I'm guessing they are looking at Heiskenan or Makar (even though he's a righty). That is if Nico and Nolan are off the board as suspected. Although, I think this scouting staff sort of likes bucking the trends.

I keeping seeing reports they are interested in Methot but who knows. Methot and Edler would be nice additions in my opinion but I don't think Nill wants to trade 3OA for either of them. Read something today that Nill only wants to part with 3OA for a"younger player" (maybe a defenseman maybe not). Could still acquire Methot or Edler by other means though.

Anyway this is just stuff I'm gleaning from reading what's out there and a bit of my own personal speculation. I have no inside knowledge and I'm not sure anything would surprise me. Nill likes to make splashes and this off season seems ripe for that.
- thestarsvolta

Yeah that's the key no one knows what Nill will do with all these options. But if he takes Methot in pick flip then should he deal 6OA for D? Tanev is youngish for proven D by the way at 27.

Stars don't have to replace Eakin at center. Hitch stated he wanted Seguin and Spezza back at 1c and 2c and Faska is a lock at 3c. At best, Eakin would have been a 4c at a 3.8 million salary which was not a good situation and why he was exposed.
- jerryb

Dont forget Janmark coming back!