After Mikael Granlund, Cody Ceci - Dallas Stars may make more moves before trade deadline

The Dallas Stars wasted no time making a splash ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline, but that doesn’t mean they’re done dealing. With time still on the clock, general manager Jim Nill has positioned the team strategically while keeping the door open for more moves. Unlike other contenders still scrambling, the Stars took the initiative early, securing key reinforcements before the trade market heated up.


On February 1, more than a month before the deadline Dallas made a decisive trade, acquiring forward Mikael Granlund and defenseman Cody Ceci from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a first-round pick and a conditional third-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft. By getting ahead of the market, the Stars avoided rising trade costs and locked in much-needed depth before supply ran low.
“I thought we had to get ahead of things,” Nill told NHL.com. “In reality, we couldn’t wait. Because of our injuries, we had to move fast. There’s a risk in doing it that way because maybe it takes us out of contention for a remaining big deal approaching the Deadline. Does it mean maybe there’s another deal I can’t get into now? We’re still looking.” (via: NHL)
Dallas didn’t just make a move for the sake of it, they had to. The team was dealing with significant injuries, including defenseman Nils Lundkvist, who required season-ending shoulder surgery in January. Days later, top defenseman Miro Heiskanen suffered a knee injury, sidelining him for weeks. Forward Tyler Seguin had already been out since December after hip surgery, with his return uncertain before the playoffs.
Faced with these setbacks, Dallas had no choice but to make an early move. “I needed to do something before the 4 Nations tournament started (Feb. 12),” Nill admitted. “With Heiskanen and Lundkvist, I lost two of my top six defensemen. I needed a defenseman. And, going back to the fall, I lost Tyler. So, I knew I had some holes and I was getting a bit worried.”
So far, Granlund and Ceci have fit in seamlessly. The 33-year-old Granlund has racked up seven assists in nine games for Dallas after posting 45 points in 52 games with San Jose. He also made a statement at the 4 Nations Face-Off, scoring three goals including an overtime winner against Sweden. Ceci has been a steadying presence on the blue line, averaging over 20 minutes per game.

With Seguin and Heiskanen on long-term injured reserve, the Stars have additional salary cap flexibility. Nill is keeping an eye on the trade market but knows the landscape is constantly shifting.
“You can never have too many defensemen,” he noted. “So, when we look at some of that, we'll see what's on the market. That's probably the biggest obstacle right now is what's available until we get a full feel for what's out there.”
For now, Dallas is proving that early action pays off. They’ve gone 6-2-1 since bringing in Granlund and Ceci, strengthening their position as one of the Western Conference’s top teams. With upcoming matchups against the New Jersey Devils and Calgary Flames, the Stars are showing that their early gamble might just be what puts them over the top.
As Nill put it, “Sometimes, it pays to strike early.”
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