It’s highly unlikely that when the Dallas Stars expected something significant in return when they traded Erik Cole to the Detroit Red Wings in March 2015.
Cole was an aging veteran who was having a decent year on the Stars’ wings and the Red Wings simply needed some more push on offense. When they knew Cole was available at the deadline, they offered up Mattias Janmark, Mattias Backman, and a pick for him.
The Stars, who were a hefty nine points out of the final wild card spot in the West, happily accepted the two prospects and pick for Cole and a pick of their own.