Sharks and Stars Trade Great for Both Teams

Apr 30, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Jason Demers (5) skates with the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period in game seven of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. The Kings defeated the Sharks 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

On Friday the San Jose Sharks made a trade with the Dallas Stars that sends defenseman Jason Demers and a 2016 3rd round draft pick to the Dallas Stars for defenseman Brenden Dillon, San Jose General Manager Doug Wilson announced. Both Dillon and Demers could play for their new teams as early as Saturday. Dillon, a preseason holdout, is a restricted free agent at the end of the season and Demers is signed through next season. This is a deal that works well for both teams.

The Dallas Stars have allowed the second most amount of goals this season (67 GAA, tied with Columbus) and their biggest weakness on defense is a lack of right handed sticks. John Klingberg, rookie right handed defenseman, was the first righty d-man on the roster this season and he was called up just a few games ago. The Sharks, too, have defensive issues. While their defense has been mildly better (57 GAA) they have been struggling as well.

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Brenden Dillon, 24, is 6’4″ and 225 pounds, so he adds some size to the Sharks blue liners, which is something they have needed. Jason Demers, 26, is a little smaller at 6’1″ and 195 pounds, but he handles the puck much better than Dillon , which is something the Stars have needed from their D line. Dillon and Demers have very similar offensive numbers as well. Demers has 16 goals and 82 assists in 300 career games while Dillon has 9 goals and 17 assists in 149 games. So, while Demers and Dillon are similar in many ways, as I previously mentioned, this is a good move for both teams as neither is really losing anything yet both gain; the Sharks get bigger and the Stars get better with the puck.

The Stars waived defenseman Kevin Connauton  last week and traded defenseman Sergei Gonchar earlier this month. The Dillon trade is another case of Stars GM Jim Nill trying to improve the defense on the fly and it may even be another small move before a big splash later, though that is strictly speculation. They have lost three defensemen and only gained one and are using three rookies currently.

For the Sharks, this is clear case of the team trying to become more physical. They have been accused of being soft in the past, so Sharks GM Doug Wilson may make another trade to get another big, aggressive body on the ice. But Dillon will certainly help in that area, so that’s a start.