Stars rival pulls off huge trade, sending first-round pick to a conference opponent
Photo credit: Colorado Hockey Now
Stars' division rival Colorado Avalanche swings trade with Sharks, moving former first-rounder Oskar Olausson.
The Dallas Stars will be watching closely as the Colorado Avalanche reshaped their roster with a move that could impact the Central Division playoff race, trading former first-round pick Oskar Olausson to the San Jose Sharks in a prospect swap that sends Daniil Gushchin to Colorado.
This trade, announced on Friday, is viewed as a classic «change of routine» deal for two young forwards who needed fresh opportunities.
For the Avalanche, it's a chance to add Gushchin, a skilled Russian winger who has a lot of potential.
For the Sharks, it's a shot at reviving Olausson's career in a system that's still rebuilding and has a ton of young players.
Olausson, drafted by Colorado in the first round in 2021, has struggled to secure a full-time NHL role. Last season, he scored 11 goals and 26 points in 61 games with the AHL's Colorado Eagles.
In San Jose, he's expected to see a much bigger role.
How the Oskar Olausson trade between the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks could affect the Dallas Stars
Gushchin, meanwhile, has been a bright spot for San Jose's development system. The 5-foot-8 forward has tallied 105 points in 112 AHL games over the past two seasons and earned 12 NHL games this year.
One Western Conference scout told reporters,
«Both these guys needed new homes, and this could quietly be one of those trades that pays off in a year or two.»
For the Dallas Stars, this swap might not seem like headline news now, but it could tip the balance in the Central Division if Gushchin quickly earns NHL minutes in Colorado's middle six.
I think Dallas will be watching closely, because any added scoring punch for the Avalanche means the Stars may need to tweak their own depth to keep pace.
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