Insider: Dallas Stars To Make Huge Trade In Response to Minnesota Move for Hughes

GM Jim Nill and the Dallas Stars have never been ones to be outdone in the trade market. If they want something, they usually go out and get it. The blockbuster Mikko Rantanen addition at last year's deadline is a prime example of that.

Now, after watching division rival Minnesota Wild make their bold big splash of acquiring Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks, insider Jeff Marek suggested on Daily Faceoff's DFO Rundown that Nill will respond with a big move of his own. He mentions the Buffalo Sabres' pending unrestricted free agent Alex Tuch as the big target:

Could Alex Tuch be a fit for Dallas in response to the Hughes trade?

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"This is obviously another go-for-it year for the Dallas Stars. And Quinn Hughes has entered the division. I really do wonder... I don't think it would surprise anyone at the end of the day if they ended up with Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres. That one would make a lot of sense for the Dallas Stars. He would fit that team like a hand in a glove. Specifically in the postseason.

"To me, all eyes are, 'Ok, Dallas, what are you gonna do?' Because you know that Jim Nill is not gonna sit by. No, no, no, no. That's the team to watch now. How does Dallas respond?"

Sabres want to re-sign Tuch, but Dallas will be lurking

Tuch and the Sabres have been nowhere close in extension talks, though it's possible things may change now with Jarmo Kekalainen taking over as the new GM for the deposed Kevyn Adams. Kekalainen has already said he hopes to keep Tuch.

The 29-year-old is a big and skilled two-way forward, who has topped the 35-goal mark twice in the last three seasons, while maintaining solid plus-ratings.

The Stars are currently 22-7-5 for 49 points. That would be far and away first place in any other division. But in the Central, they trail the Colorado Avalanche by four points. Meanwhile, the Stars are third place with 43 points going into Tuesday night's game.