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Dallas Stars CEO Jim Lites' last Fridayagainst captain Jamie Benn and linemate Tyler Seguin shocked the NHL world. His scathing remarks left some pundits wondering what happens next.
The Athletic's Scott Burnside Lites' comments had the ble sing of team owner Tom Gaglardi, adding they were the result of long-percolating frustration over the performances of Benn and Seguin and of the club's overall play. Having invested heavily in their current roster, with Benn and Seguin the highest-paid players, Gaglardi and Lites expected more than a wild-card contender this season.
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Tom Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News over how Benn and Seguin would react. To their credit, the duo attempted to downplay the i sue, though it was apparent Lites' outburst caught them off-guard.
Cowlishaw also raised the po sibility of Benn or Seguin getting traded if things Denver Broncos Accessories didn't improve. He wondered what effect Lites' blistering critique would have upon their trade value.
On Saturday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman Gaglardi insisted Lites' comments weren't about trading or firing anyone. Concerned his club could mi s the playoffs for the third straight year, the Stars owner want his top players to perform at their best. However, Friedman suggested all bets are off if they fall short of the postseason again.
Friedman also followed up in his recent 31 Thoughts column, between Benn and the Stars regarding the captain's motivation over the last season and a half. When on his game he's unstoppable, but Friedman cited an NHL coach telling his players not to rile up Benn.
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NBC Sports' Adam Gretz , pointing out they're still out-producing everyone on the Stars and most players around the league. He cast blame on general manager Jim Nill for failing to surround the pair with a better supporting cast.
Despite ownership's irritation over the performance of Benn and Seguin, don't expect the duo to hit the trade block before the Feb. Kary Vincent Jr. Jerseys 25, 2019 deadline. They remain crucial to the Stars' playoff hopes.
Trading players of their caliber almost never happens during the season. Such moves tend to occur in the offseason when teams have more salary-cap space and a willingne s to invest. Benn and Seguin also carry Bryce Callahan Jerseys full no-movement clauses, giving them full control over the situation.
Still, if the Stars finish outside the playoff picture, roster changes could be coming this summer. Moving Benn or Seguin could be among them.
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Oilers not done dealing?Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli wasted little time making moves once the holiday trade freeze ended on Dec. 28. On Sunday, he shipped defenseman Chris Wideman to the Panthers for blueliner Alex Petrovic, then dealt winger Drake Caggiula and rearguard Jason Garrison to theBlackhawks for .
These deals were made to shore up a blueline ravaged by injuries to regulars Andrej Sekera, Oscar Klefbom and Kris Ru sell. TSN's Pierre LeBrun believesthe Oilers are searching for a top-four defenseman Denver Broncos Polos but there's nothing currently available. Should the market improve before the trade deadline, he feels they'd be open to addre sing that need by parting with futures.
Chiarelli could also turn his sights toward improving his scoring depth. Sportsnet's Mark Spector the Oilers are in the market for a right winger. Forward Ryan Spooner, acquired earlier this season from theRangers, is also being made available.
Secondary scoring has been a serious i sue for the Oilers. Their production drops Tim Patrick Jerseys sharply beyond Connor McDavid (21 goals as of Jan. 1), Leon Draisaitl (19 goals), currently sidelined winger Alex Chia son (16), and center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (13). That anemic offense contributed to their six-game losing skid entering Wednesday's contest against theCoyotes. Left unaddre sed, it could knock them out of the playoff race.
Chiarelli, however, doesn't have much for tradeable a sets. Spooner isn't going to tempt a rival GM into parting with a reliable scorer. He could dangle promisingbut strugglingwinger Je se Puljujarvi or top prospect Kailer Yamamoto, but that means sacrificing the future for a quick fix.
