The Wraparound: Dallas Stars Improvements Before Playoffs This season, it has been no secret that the Dallas Stars [https://www.nhl.com/stars/] are under immense pressure to fulfill their potential of winning the Stanley Cup. Before a number of injuries that left Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment sidelined for a considerable amount of time, the Stars were, by all signs, living up to the hype. Even without those big names, Dallas has managed to stay very much in the conversation of being one of the best in the West. As the NHL Trade Deadline draws near, the Stars must address the need that every cup contender always looks for to solidify their chances: grit. When thinking of the possible names that come to mind who can be wearing green in March, the Stars would be prudent to explore a trade for Nashville Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/] defenseman Jeremy Lauzon [https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/l/lauzoje01.html]. When looking at Jeremy Lauzon's stats, not much jumps off the page that would lead one to think the forward can be a difference-maker for a prospective suitor. It is what the 6'3, 225 Predators blueliner can do when he throws his weight around. Lauzon currently has handed out 127 hits [https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/ask?q=nhl+hits+leaders+2024-2025]and has shown no shyness about dishing out more. While the Stars do have some bruisers in Jaimie Benn and Ilya Lyubushkin, there isn't a player in green and black that ranks near in hits nor comes close in size to Lauzon. The hulking 27-year-old also brings a team-friendly contract with one more year on term with $2 million in AAV [https://puckpedia.com/player/jeremy-lauzon#:%7e:text=Jeremy%20Lauzon%20is%20signed%20to,will%20be%2029%20years%20old.]. If Lauzon were brought to Dallas, he would most likely receive playing time on the third line, depending on matchups. The Dallas Stars holds $2.6 million in salary cap space [https://puckpedia.com/team/dallas-stars] and can free up more with Tyler Seguin set to miss 4-6 months after hip surgery. The NHL Trade Deadline closes on March 7th at 2 pm CST.
