With the playoffs fading out of their rearview mirror, it was only a matter of time until the Dallas Stars traded a veteran with an expiring contract before the trade deadline.
Erik Cole traded from Stars to Red Wings for prospects, draft pick
Detroit adds a veteran winger to bolster their scoring depth.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
They did exactly that on Sunday night, sending winger Erik Cole to the Detroit Red Wings for prospects Mattias Backman, Mattias Janmark and a second round pick.
Dallas also sent a third round pick to Detroit, but the Stars will get it back if the Wings reach the third round of the playoffs and Cole plays in 50 percent of their games this year.
In Cole, Detroit is getting a 36-year-old left winger with plenty of gas still in his legs and the ability to score in bunches. Since joining the Stars via a trade with Montreal a few years ago, Cole has proved his versatility playing in the top six or bottom six as a checking winger. In the final year of his deal this year, Cole put up 18 goals and 33 points with the Stars.
Dallas, meanwhile, gets a pretty good haul back for an aging veteran on an expiring contract. Both Backman and Janmark are solid prospects, while the second rounder is good value considering the depth in the upcoming draft.
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