Nill, Stars content with no major moves at trade deadline

FRISCO, Texas --The NHL trade deadline came and went Monday afternoon with the Stars making just one move, acquiring a sixth-round pick in the 2020 draft from Florida for AHL defenseman Emil Djuse.
That was just fine with Stars general manager Jim Nill, who was engaged in conversation with several teams but opted to stand pat without any additional transactions.
"We kind of came into today anticipating the way things went pretty well," Nill said. "We like where our team is at. Getting Stephen Johns back (from post-traumatic headaches) is a big addition for us, and we did a lot of our work during the summer. So, we like where we're at. We like our depth. I like where the young kids are at -- what they've added to the team -- and I like how the veterans are starting to play."

After dealing several draft picks in previous seasons for players like Taylor Fedun, Ben Lovejoy, Marc Methot and Mats Zuccarello, Nill admitted he was reluctant to part ways with more. Instead, the Stars wound up gaining an asset, giving them now
five total selections
entering this summer.
"We talked to a lot of teams -- we had some things going," Nill said. "Once again, I get back to the past couple years, we've made a lot of trades and used a lot of picks, and I went into this deadline with the mindset that we just can't keep doing that. ... So, lots of talk, but in the end, nothing really came close."

The trade should also create a larger window of opportunity for some of the Stars' up-and-coming players.
Nill said moving Djuse, a 26-year-old productive defensemen who led all Texas skaters with 25 assists this season, will allow prospects like 2019 first-round pick Thomas Harley and 2018 sixth-rounder Dawson Barteaux to fill the void on Dallas' AHL squad in Cedar Park once their junior seasons end.
"He is a little bit older player, a free agent that we signed. Don't know if he's coming back or not next year, so this gave us a chance to grab an asset," Nill said of Djuse, who came to Dallas from the Swedish Elite League on a
one-year, entry-level contract
last April and is set to become a restricted free agent this offseason.
"We've got some young defenseman that are going to be coming in once their junior playoffs are done, so we'll add some depth that way and give those young kids an opportunity."
The rest of the Central Division remained relatively quiet by the deadline with Colorado making the biggest move by adding offensive depth in Vladislav Namestnikov from Ottawa along with goaltender Michael Hutchinson from Toronto. Last week, Winnipeg traded for former Stars forward Cody Eakin and defenseman Dylan DeMelo, while St. Louis added defenseman Marco Scandella.
MORE COVERAGE: [Stars acquire sixth-round selection in 2020 NHL Draft from Panthers]
The Stars had been among the teams

in what would have been a reunion with ex-Sharks captain Joe Pavelski, but the 40-year-old opted to remain in San Jose.
"Well, there's a lot of speculation out there," Nill said when asked about Thornton, "but that's something that I'm not going to discuss. We're talking about a lot of players in there."
With the Stars embarking on an important three-game road trip Tuesday against Carolina, just four points out of the top spot in the Western Conference, Nill said he is confident in the group he has.
"We look at our division and it stayed pretty status quo, actually," Nill said. "The Pacific did some things. A lot of the moves actually happened out East, so we're not worried. I'm not too worried about what other teams do anyways.
"In the end, it's where our team is at, where I think we're at, and I believe in our group and I like how we're playing."
Don't miss your chance to see the Stars battle the Edmonton Oilers when they return home to American Airlines Center on Tuesday, March 3. The first 5,000 fans receive a limited-edition poster presented by Dr Pepper. Get your tickets now!
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Jeff Odom is the manager of DallasStars.com and writes about the Stars/NHL. Follow him on Twitter @jeffodom.