What Vladislav Kolyachonok Will Bring to Dallas

Albeit a minor trade in the NHL news, the Dallas Stars swapped defensemen with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Trading Matt Dumba, and a second round draft pick for Vladislav Kolyachonok. A defenseman who looks to play a similar role to Dumba, but at a cheaper price.

Stars general manager Jim Nill took a gamble on Dumba’s contract. This was one of his very few misses. The trade for Kolyachonok is looking to be quietly promising. Signing at a league minimum $775K, Kolyachonok will be seen as a gain on the Stars in more ways than one. Kolyachonok is 24 years old, and seven years younger than Dumba. Stars are saving money with the trade (despite giving up a second round pick at the same turn). Kolyachonok is also known to play a tidier game on the blue line. Something Stars fans want to see translate into Dallas.

Will see some time in Austin

Just as everybody on the roster except for Miro Heiskanen and Wyatt Johnston have done, Kolyachonok will likely see some time in the American Hockey League.

Kolyachonok already has spent his NHL career bouncing back and between the AHL, and the NHL. But if he can prove himself to be a reliable defenseman who can also hit, he’ll become a regular come post-season time. Just as Alex Petrovic has done with the Stars.

Defensive blue liner

After a postseason where the Stars burped up the puck over and over, adding a reliable, conservative defenseman should be music to the ears of Stars’ fans. While Kolyachonok is relatively young since he’s still in his mid 20s, this makes the acquisition that Nill made look even better since he doesn’t have a reputation being sloppy on defense heading into his fourth NHL season.

While he has bounced around early into his career, that is simply part finding the right fit and the nature of a salary cap league. Dallas wanted a reliable defender who can hit, and Kolyachonok has done everything this far that the Stars were looking for heading into the summer.

Good deal under tight salary cap

After signing Wyatt Johnston and Mikko Rantanen long term, the Stars found themselves in a salary cap pinch. Nill has been on the lookout for quality players that can fit within the cap.

Photo credit: Sam Hodde/Getty Images

Given the nature of Kolyachonok’s contract this can give the Stars a little bit more breathing room under the cap crunch they’re under. When the March trade deadline rolls around next year we can always expect Nill to make some kind of trade. No matter how big or small the change is to the roster. He has learned much since his infamous ‘we like where we’re at‘ moment in 2018.

Featured photo: Julio Cortez/AP

Tags: #Defense #Kolyachonok #NHL #TexasHockey

Categorized:Stars