Possible injury situation leads Stars to acquire Connor Carrick in trade

Jim Nill's philosophy of staying informed and being ready to move at any time was on display Monday.
The Stars
made a trade for defenseman Connor Carrick
, sending a conditional seventh-round draft pick to Toronto, to acquire the 24-year-old, who played 47 games last season for the Maple Leafs. It was a move motivated by news gathered during the preseason and an opportunity presented because Toronto was getting ready to send Carrick through waivers.

RELATED: [Connor Carrick traded to Stars by Maple Leafs in exchange for conditional draft pick]
Stars defenseman Stephen Johns has been battling an injury the team has yet to disclose, and despite skating the past two days, is likely not going to be ready to start the season. Gavin Bayreuther looked like a possible replacement, but Carrick can be a step up on Bayreuther in terms of experience. Roman Polak is also ready to add depth on defense, but Nill felt getting an extra player with a different package of skills would help.
So, it sure looks like Nill made a significant move. Now, Carrick will have a chance to play on opening night Thursday against Arizona, Polak will be the seventh defenseman to start the season, Johns will go on injured reserve, and Bayreuther will be assigned to the AHL.
"You can never have enough depth on defense, and we've been dealing with some questions here in the preseason, and this trade presented itself," Nill said. "We feel Connor Carrick is a player who can help us in a lot of ways."
Carrick played 47 games for the Maple Leafs last season and has played 167 NHL games, so he brings more experience than Bayreuther, who is 24, but has yet to play an NHL game. He also has more experience than Esa Lindell (157), Julius Honka (58) and Miro Heiskanen (zero), who are also expected to be in the lineup opening night.

"We're young back there, so getting a little more experience is a good thing," Nill said.
Play ramped up in the preseason, and the regular season is expected to be even more intense, so providing a player who can adapt to that is key. Plus, Carrick is a different option than Polak. Listed at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, Carrick is a puck moving defenseman who uses his skating. Polak is listed at 6-foot-2, 240 pounds and is seen more as a physical force.
That could mean that Carrick will be a good fit against the Stars' first three opponents -- Arizona, Winnipeg and Toronto.
"He's first of all a character player," Nill said. "He has a great work ethic and he fits what we want to do. He's a good skater, good puck mover. He can be a real solid player for us."
The native of the Chicago area played in the U.S. National Development Team program and was a fifth-round pick of the Washington Capitals in 2012. Carrick was traded to Toronto in 2016 and was in the regular rotation with the Maple Leafs the past two seasons.
"He's a very good option for us," Nill said. "He's a big fitness guy. He's very committed, business-like. I think he will definitely help us."
The Stars also put winger Remi Elie on waivers Monday with the intent of sending him to the AHL. That means center Roope Hintz will be on the opening-night roster. If the Stars place Martin Hanzal and Johns on IR, and send Bayreuther to the AHL, they should be down to 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies by Tuesday's roster deadline.
"We feel good about where we're at," Nill said. "We feel good about our depth, and we're ready to go."
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.