The market for defensemen at this year's trade deadline was expected to be a competitive one, with many names who were rumoured to be available generating a lot of interest. Names such as Ben Chiarot (MON), Jakob Chychrun (ARI) and John Klingberg (DAL) were some of the more highly-coveted players, but now it appears as though the list of available players may have gotten smaller.
On Wednesday, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli reported that the Dallas Stars may not have made Klingberg available after all. It may just be some posturing from Stars GM Jim Nill to drive the price up on Klingberg, but here's what Seravalli had to say:
If Klingberg is indeed off the market, that is sure to drive the price up on the several other blueliners who are rumoured to be available. As for Klingberg, he remains a pending UFA and will have the ability to walk away this summer if the Stars don't meet his contract demands.
Given the fact that right-shot defensemen always seem to demand a premium, Klingberg is going to get paid somewhere. It's now up to the Stars to figure out what to do with him. Do they hang onto him and risk losing him for nothing? Or do they circle back with the number of teams with reported interest and try to swing a deal before the March 21st trade deadline? A big decision ahead in Dallas.
