Dallas Stars have found a diamond in the rough that will fix their defense and save their season

The Dallas Stars have made a move that many fans barely noticed, but it could become one of general manager Jim Nill's most valuable trades of the year.

By sending Matt Dumba and a second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Stars acquired 24-year-old defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok, a younger and cheaper option who could bring stability to their blue line while easing the team's cap crunch.

Kolyachonok joins Dallas on a league minimum $775,000 contract, a figure that immediately gives the team more financial flexibility after locking in Mikko Rantanen and Wyatt Johnston on long-term deals.

Seven years younger than Dumba, he brings a steadier defensive game that fans have been calling for since last postseason, when turnovers became a major issue.

According to NHL.com, the Stars see the move as a smart way to balance their roster and open the door for a player with upside.

While Kolyachonok has split time between the NHL and AHL throughout his career, the Stars expect him to follow a familiar path through Austin before carving out a regular role, as nearly every Dallas player outside of Miro Heiskanen and Wyatt Johnston has done.

Jim Nill praised the deal, saying:

Even Sportsnet called the trade a «budget-friendly way to add reliability on the blue line,» noting that Kolyachonok's style could win over the coaching staff quickly.

If Kolyachonok continues to deliver a tidy, physical game, he could not only replace Dumba but become one of the Stars' most important depth pieces when the playoffs arrive.