On this day in 2014 (March 5), the Dallas Stars made a move to add experience in net, acquiring veteran goaltender Tim Thomas from the Florida Panthers in exchange for fellow goalie Dan Ellis.

At the time of the deal, Thomas was nearing the end of his first season in Florida after returning to the NHL from a year-long break. In 40 games with the Panthers, the 39-year-old posted a 16-20-3 record with a 2.87 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage.

Thomas brought an impressive résumé to Dallas. A two-time Vezina Trophy winner (2009, 2011) and Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2011, he famously backstopped the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup that season.

At the time of the trade, Thomas held over 200 career wins with a .920 save percentage and a 2.51 goals-against average across more than 400 NHL games. 

The Stars were looking for additional stability behind starter Kari Lehtonen as they fought to secure a playoff spot. After arriving in Dallas, Thomas appeared in eight games, posting a 2-4-1 record with a .902 save percentage and a 2.97 GAA during the stretch run. 

Heading to Florida in the deal was Ellis, who had been serving as Dallas’ backup that season. In 11 games with the Stars in 2013-14, Ellis recorded a 5-6-0 record with a 3.04 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage.

The swap helped Dallas stabilize its goaltending situation late in the season, and the Stars ultimately returned to the playoffs for the first time in six years. Looking back more than a decade later, the trade remains one of the more unique goalie swaps in franchise history.

Do you remember when Dallas brought in Tim Thomas for the playoff push? Did the veteran goalie make the impact the team was hoping for at the time?