As Ben Bishop nears a return, Stars GM Jim Nill sheds light on the future of Dallas’ goalie situation – The Dallas Morning News

In seven more games, the Stars and general manager Jim Nill will know where they stand at the April 12 trade deadline, whether they will be adding for a playoff push or subtracting to reset next season.

Either way, it doesnt seem like the teams goaltending will be on the move.

Thats going to be more of a summer situation, Nill said Wednesday morning. Well monitor that as we go forward. I wouldnt say that goaltending is something were thinking were going to do something at the deadline right now.

The Stars crease could become crowded in the last month of the regular season, with Ben Bishop returning from offseason knee surgery to join Anton Khudobin and rookie Jake Oettinger. Bishop has begun skating again, but a firm timeline for his return isnt set.

Now hes got to get into the goaltending position, theres a lot of up and down and real quick reactions, Nill said. Thats the next process hes got to go through. Is he two weeks, three weeks, four weeks away? I dont know. Were just going to monitor that and see how it goes.

Oettinger, meanwhile, has proved capable during his first NHL season, posting a .909 save percentage and 2.34 goals against average across 17 games. At one point this year, he started four straight games, and seemed to move past Khudobin on the depth chart.

His quick development is a huge positive for the Stars in the long term. While his first season hasnt been perfect (rebounds have been too loose at times, and extra time has been a struggle), Oettinger is ahead of schedule for where the Stars thought he would be.

Hes come in and done a great job, Nill said. I think hes grabbed the situation of being at this level, understanding what it takes. The work ethic is there, hes had a chance to work with [coach] Jeff Reese on goaltending. Hes worked with Ben Bishop and Dobby, theyve helped him along. I think hes done a great job.

In the short term, Oettingers play will force the Stars to do some juggling in net.

When Bishop comes back, he will be the No. 1 goaltender. Khudobin and Oettinger have been serviceable, but will not be starting over a Vezina-caliber goaltender, even one coming off knee surgery. The Stars could rotate three goalies, opting to play Oettinger every now and then rather than have him sit on the taxi squad or play in the AHL.

We have plans in place, but those change every day, either because of the injuries or COVID results, Nill said. You never know. Well monitor that as we go. Put it this way: Itd be a good problem to have if youve got all three guys back.

Khudobins future is the murkiest.

He will be exposed in this summers expansion draft, as Bishop has a no movement clause and Oettinger is not eligible. Even with the down year this season, Khudobin may be the most attractive piece for the Kraken to take (unless theyre already set at goaltender with Brayden Holtby or Jake Allen or Antti Raanta). It would be nice for Seattle to take Khudobin off the Stars hands, clearing a path for Oettinger and removing the final two years of his $3.333 million cap hit.

But the Stars cant rely on Seattle doing that, especially if they decide to poach a forward like Jason Dickinson or Joe Pavelski from the Stars. So might the Stars want to trade Khudobin instead? Plenty of teams need goaltending, but the complicating factors of the pandemic (league protocols regarding travel plus financial restrictions from owners) and the expansion draft could make it tough for Dallas to find a trading partner in a couple weeks.

Nill said the current six-game road trip through Nashville, Carolina and Chicago will dictate which direction the team wants to go at the trade deadline, whether buying or selling.

When we come out of this trip, itll be close to the deadline on April 12th and well know where were sitting pretty well by then, Nill said. The games are going by fast, were playing every second day, so well have a good feel of where our teams at. And then also, over this next week, 10 days, have a good feel of where the leagues at.

The Stars have options if they choose to become sellers. Jamie Oleksiak, Blake Comeau and Andrew Cogliano are on expiring contracts. Esa Lindells no movement clause kicks in next season. John Klingberg is the teams most attractive trade chip.

While shipping out rentals at the trade deadline is often the least messy move, Nill said his options arent limited to small deals.

You never know, is there going to be a hockey trade that makes sense for both teams? Nill said. Were open to anything, and I think thats what teams are trying to figure out right now.

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As Ben Bishop nears a return, Stars GM Jim Nill sheds light on the future of Dallas' goalie situation - The Dallas Morning News