That's too bad for Nils. He send to have really taken a step forward this season. I can't recall many instances where he jumped out at you a having made a bad play (Dumba has that distinction.)

So, I guess another explanation for the moves today is to have cap space for roster moves/call ups. Without enough space, they run the risk of not being able to recall someone in a pinch. A move could still be imminent, but not necessarily.

**Keep A Eye 👁️ On**
I’m told @SanJoseSharks and @DallasStars are working on a deal around F Granlund. #SharksTerritory #TexasHockey #HockeyX pic.twitter.com/Zwe3pXJDgS

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) February 1, 2025

That absolutely blows for Nils, and he's a RHD. It's getting pretty concerning back there. I guess we're going to find out about Kyrou now. Also means we won't see Marchment till after the break, which is fine.

This is happening https://t.co/5ukbXx6zuv

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 1, 2025

Hopefully we send them Dumba

Dman Codi Ceci part of the deal

I wish, but it looks like a 1st and 4th round pick (turns into 3rd if we make the Stanley Cup Final). Getting Granlund and Cody Ceci.

🚨 TRADE ALERT! 🚨

We have acquired Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci from the @sanjosesharks for a 2025 First-Round Pick and 2025 Conditional Third-Round Pick.

Welcome to #TexasHockey, Mikael and Cody!

📰 MORE: https://t.co/w1qM9bBeGA pic.twitter.com/OT9aHYnpn2

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) February 1, 2025

Stars get Granlund and Ceci and do NOT give up Stankoven, Borque or Bichsel.
Hard to argue with the logic.

— Bruce LeVine (@BruceLeVinePuck) February 1, 2025

Nill and his Finns

And Ceci is a right handed shot.

Looks like both are on the final year of their deals...

On the trade reaction pod, Ludwig said he could see the Stars going after Trouba for another defenseman.

They would need someone to take on abojt half of his salary for this season, but his $8 million next year would probably fit because of the cap increasing so much.

Trouba was basically found money for Anaheim, so may not cost as much as a typical guy of that caliber.

How good is this trade? I know the sharks team as a whole really stinks.

Granlund makes your forward group better. Instantly your 3rd highest scorer and is good on the PP. Has played with Duchene before, so should fit perfectly on that line with him and Marchment.

Ceci isn't great, and some are comparing him to Dumba. There are some distinct differences though. He is capable of playing big minutes - been playing 20+ a night in SJ, but Dallas won't need him to do that. He can be effective on the PK, and he doesn't take a lot of stupid penalties. We needed a warm body on the blue line, and he is right handed and a Dumba upgrade, so I think Cici also makes this team better (although only marginally).

Ultimately, Nill didn't want to give up one of our young studs and only wanted pending UFAs. He accomplished that and made the team better. Giving up a 1st when this year's draft isn't deep doesn't seem so bad. That 4th round pick was actually originally SJ's - came over in the Dellandrea trade, so that's not a big deal. I think both teams did really well.

Also, we have around $4.5M left to play with. I don't think Jim Nill is done.

"We needed a warm body" is 100% right, so I will welcome Ceci with open arms, and it pushes Dumba down the pecking order.

May get to see that Duchene-Granlund-Marchment line today.

HE'S BAAAAAACCCCCKKKKKKK ‼️ pic.twitter.com/3hjdnfPnQJ

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) February 2, 2025

I really thought they were going to wait to bring him back after the deadline. He's a huge addition to this team. Lines should be:

Robo-Johnston-Hintz (Roope and Wyatt have something special cooking right now)
Benn-Daddy-Stank
Mush-Duchy-Granlund
Steel-Bourque-Back

No clue how they're going to do defensively.

Marchment and Granlund in the lineup should be a huge boost. That's two of your top scorers all of a sudden back into a lineup that was playing well lately.

I would assume they'll trade out Dumba for Cici on defense but no idea what the pairings will be. And however they start, I bet they change it up.

I think Dumba will be in the lineup until further notice because we don't have other options, but hopefully he'll just be a third paring guy.

Perhaps, but I would rather see Smith on that 3rd pair. Then again, Dumba gives you 3R/3L synergy. Not sure he provides much else.

I just don't know what DeBoer is going to do with Harley and Lindell. They are your best two guys left, so do you want to play them together? Probably, but maybe you can get more use out of them separately? Idk.

He needs to embrace Bichsel as a top 3 guy (which he 100% is for the time being). The problem is, of course, your top 3 are all lefties. Wouldn't surprise me to see him start with R/L pairs. Your 3 lefties can hopefully help mask the deficiencies in the righties. If you put Harley and Lindell together you're going to end up with Dumba paired with Cici or Lyubushkin, and that thought terrifies me. Miro being out sucks so bad.

Ticket purchasing question unrelated to the Stars...

My wife and I are going to get tickets for a Bruins game while we are in Boston. Ticket prices are generally pretty high, which is fine.

If you're buying tickets to go watch hockey, are you prioritizing angle of viewing or being close to the action?

2nd row in the corner is about the same as 20th row just inside the blue lines.

Gracias in advance.

Opinions vary. Here's my 2 cents.

Closer to center ice is more expensive because the prevailing thought is similar to being at the 50 yard line in football. The problem in hockey is sight lines. I think near center ice hides too much of the action. I prefer the corners. The corners can get weird the closer you are to the ice though. The glass and boards do distort some of the action. For me, mid lower level corner are the best seats in the house. Perfect balance of close to the action and visibility.

Hope that helps.

Home game up high/sight line. Visiting an area down low. Of your options I'd pick corner