The Dallas Stars have traded Jamie Oleksiak to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a conditional fourth-round pick.
The Penguins have two fourth-round picks in the 2019 draft, both their original selection and one from Minnesota, the Stars will get whichever pick is earlier.
“I think our coaching staff had kind of settled on the six or seven guys they envisioned our defense to be. We’ve got two or three guys down in Texas knocking on the door,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said. “It gets to be a team without a player left on the outside now. He’s been a great Dallas Star for us and sometimes it gets to a point where it’s best to just continue their career and it’s a chance for us to get an asset back.”
Nill said the play of Greg Pateryn, Julius Honka, and Stephen Johns turned Oleksiak into a tradable asset. He had been keeping Oleksiak around as protection with Marc Methot’s injury, but with Methot set to return soon it was time to make a move.
“It came together pretty quickly,” Nill said. “I’ve been talking to a lot of teams lately and last couple days we’ve been talking a little bit more. At the time Methot was injured, so we had to be careful. But with the play of our young defenseman in Austin, I felt comfortable making the move.”
Nill said that Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford had contacted him about Oleksiak earlier this season.
“They had showed interest before, and they were one of the teams that said, if we were going to make a move they’d be interested,” Nill said. “(Oleksiak) has been a good Dallas Star, but it was time to make a change and this could be a good fit for the player.”
At this moment the Stars have no plans to recall a defender from Cedar Park and Nill said the team is taking it day-by-day. Methot is hopeful for this weekend, meaning Stars shouldn’t have to recall a defender — likely Dillon Heatherington — from the AHL.
“If we did (have to call-up a player), we feel like we are in good shape,” Nill said. “We have some defensemen now with Texas that came in and played well in training camp, we took notice, and if needed we have the pieces in case of an injury or something like that.”
Oleksiak, 24, has recorded three points (1-2=3) in 21 games played this season. In six seasons with the Stars, he appeared in 140 regular-season games posting 22 points (7-15=22).
The 6-foot-7, 255-pound native of Toronto, Ontario was originally selected by Dallas in the first round (14th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft.
Chad Barber says
Agree it was time for him to go. I’m sure they considered it before, but we’re afraid he’d thrive elsewhere like Chara. Eventually had to move on for the benefit of all. Plus, it helps #FreeHonka.
Eric Pickens says
I’m pleased to see this sensible move made. Despite amazing tools, Jamie never appears confident on the ice and it shows in his own zone. Wish him the best in Pittsburgh but we need Honka on the ice and, more importantly, Methot locking down the opposition.
Christopher Barnard says
I understand the move, but I don’t like the inability of this franchise at developing talent and managing assets. I’m convinced now, that Nill is a great scout of talent, but not a true manager. His inability to lead a team in delegation and development of assets is absolutely astounding. Time for a change.