One of the key defensive dominos remaining on the free-agent market has fallen to the Dallas Stars, as they obtained Kris Russell from the Calgary Flames for big, young defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka.
The Stars also sent prospect Brett Pollock and a 2016 conditional second-round pick to the Flames for the smallish but effective Russell.
The Stars are in a heated battle with the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues for the top spot in the Central Division. And while they remain one of the most dynamic offensive squads in the NHL -- second in the league in goals scored per game and fifth with the man advantage -- the prevailing feeling is that the Stars still lack the defensive depth to be a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.