The Hockey News went to X to see what Dallas Stars fans wanted to know halfway through the season.

The season is at the mid-way point and fans are starting to look towards the trade deadline and playoffs. The Hockey News answered fans' questions about what to expect from the Stars moving forward.

The defensemen have been an issue for Dallas against winning teams. What is the weakness keeping Dallas from winning the Cup outside of defensemen? 

Asked by @SportsBuds2023

The defense has been an issue but that should get addressed by the trade deadline.  Outside of that, the Stars could use more production from the Jamie Benn, Wyatt Johnston and Evgenii Dadanov line. The depth the Stars had throughout the first two rounds was an integral part of why they were successful and made it to the Western Conference Final.

While that line hasn't exactly been a detriment to the team up to this point, heading into the playoffs scoring depth is going to be even more important.

After trading for Dadonov last season, that line basically became the second line with the inconsistency of Tyler Seguin's line.

This season, the line of Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski have held their own but not been quite as dominant as last year. Robertson isn't on pace for 100 points, but the top line is still dangerous on any given shift.

Matt Duchene has fit like a glove with Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment, making that addition the biggest part of the Stars depth so far. Last season that line was hit or miss and this year, they are the most productive. Now it's time for Benn, Johnston and Dadonov to step up and become a force once again.

Will there be any deals before the trade deadline?

Asked by @StarsforSCF2024

All has been quiet on the trade rumors around the NHL recently.

It has been several weeks since rumors heated up that the Stars were linked to any specific players. Previously, it was reported that Dallas was interested in Calgary Flames defensemen Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev. 

With Miro Heiskanen being injured, trading for a defenseman at the deadline makes the most sense. Heiskanen and Thomas Harley seem to be on a different level than the rest of the defense, both in ice time and coach trust. After that, it's all about whether the other D step up game by game. 

It's possible a forward might be moved for cap purposes or as a part of a trade, but the Stars should be focused on acquiring help on the blue-line. The only NHL ready players in the AHL appear to be forwards, which could facilitate a forward getting shipped the other way in exchange for a defenseman.

What scenario would have to play out for us to see Matt Duchene in Victory Green beyond this season?

Asked by @KBnTejas

Still months away from the offseason, this scenario has a lot of moving parts to predict. Joe Pavelski, Matt Duchene, Craig Smith, Jani Hakanpaa and Scott Wedgewood all have unrestricted free agent contracts that expire after this season. Ty Dellandrea, Sam Steel, Nils Lunkdvist and Thomas Harley have restricted free agent contracts that expire after this year.

The salary cap is supposed to go up around four million next season, but two million of that is already spoken for due to Joe Pavelski's performance bonuses that roll over from this season. 

The Stars cap situation is already going to be tight just dealing with the contracts that they need to deal with, let alone talking about adding any free agents. However, Jim Nill is known for his salary cap wizardry. He has been able to maneuver around Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin's expensive contracts while both have struggled at times to live up to their value. He's been able to keep the top line together and sign Heiskanen for a very reasonable amount.

Also, depending on if anyone gets traded this season or in the offseason, that could offload some extra cap space that could benefit the Stars next season. Either way, Duchene would have to consider taking less, again, to stay.

Jamie Benn's $9.5 million cap hit is done after next season, so Duchene could sign a back-loaded contract to accommodate the tight cap next season, but again, there are tons of moving parts and things for Nill to figure out.

So Nils Lundkvist is a RFA after this season, do you see the team continuing to bring him along? Trade, cut loose or potentially offer a two-way contract for next season if he still doesn't show the consistency to be in the lineup every game?

Asked by @DS6_19_1999

Lundkvist has had a rocky time since being traded to the Stars. He has not yet gained the trust of the coaching staff, resulting in being healthy scratched frequently last season and into this season. 

With Heiskanen being hurt, Lundkvist has been forced into the lineup and he is making the most of it so far. Hopefully, this stretch of games is proving himself to the coaches moving forward when Heiskanen returns. However, he could still find himself being a trade chip this season before the trade deadline or even into the off-season.

The Stars will lose Hakanpaa after this season (unless they re-sign him) which will leave a need for right defensemen. It would not be surprising if they bring Lundkvist back on a cheap contract. If he can continue to progress, it would be a steal for the Stars. But Dallas could also move on from if the team continues to see him as a project and not reliable enough to play night in and night out.

Remember, Nill traded a first round pick in the deepest draft in the last decade to acquire Lundkvist last season. The team invested in him becoming a future star, and two years is not a lot of time to completely give up on that investment.

With having three of our AHL players making their All-Star team, how likely is it that we make trades before the deadline to make room for them in the NHL?

Asked by @StarsMak32

Trading a known NHL player to make room from an unproven player to rely on going into the playoffs does not seem like something Nill would do. However, because of cap gymnastics Nill was able to do last season, the Stars were able to call up Harley in April of last season. Harley ended up coming into the lineup as a temporary fix, but cemented himself as an every game player by the end of the playoff run.

If Nill can pull this off again, Logan Stankoven or Mavrik Bourque could get their chance to prove themselves going into the playoffs much like Harley did last season. This option seems more likely than the latter.

Injuries are always a major concern as playoffs near, and teams can never have enough healthy players once the postseason begins. The physicality of teams vying for the Stanley Cup can change well made plans with one unfortunate injury, and for Dallas, they are in a good position with two or three forwards that could immediately make an impact out of the AHL.

Make sure you bookmark THN's Dallas Stars site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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