Texas Stars Lose Top Defensive Scorer Emil Djuse at Trade Deadline

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

It was a confusing trade deadline for the Texas Stars to say the least. Dallas made a single move, sending Texas's leading defensive scorer, Emil Djuse, to Florida in exchange for Buffalo's sixth round pick in 2020. Dallas GM Jim Nill noted that Djuse was unlikely to re-sign with Dallas for next year, so the trade was a way to gain something for the asset while it's still viable.

"We evaluated the situation, and we got an asset back," echoed Texas GM Scott White when reached by phone this afternoon.

However, the loss of Djuse may be a fatal blow to the AHL club's playoff chances. Nill brushed that off, adding that they will have junior defenseman joining the fold after their season's finish.

That doesn't really pass muster.

The big targets, Thomas Harley and Dawson Barteaux, are both expected to go into playoffs with their junior teams. The AHL season ends on April 11th, and the CHL season ends on March 22. Even if both players were bounced in round one, they'd have minimal chance to make an impact in Cedar Park.

White pivoted back to the players in the room. Texas had eight defensemen this past weekend and with the departure of Fedun, who was recalled yesterday, and Djuse, it's up to the six now there to push the Stars into the postseason.

"The guys that are there have to put the puck in the net," said White. He noted that the team has been pretty defensively tight but added, "You can't win if you don't score any goals."

In seventh place and having just been shutout at home for the second time in a week, Texas does not look to be in pole position to make the playoffs. The homestand they are currently on will decide the entire fate of the season. Scott White agrees on that point.

Buckle up.

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