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The Dallas Stars made their first move of the 2024 offseason Wednesday morning, sending a former first-round draft pick to San Jose.
The team announced that it traded forward Ty Dellandrea to the Sharks in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL draft. The pick previously belonged to the Winnipeg Jets but was acquired by San Jose.
Dellandrea has spent his entire professional hockey career in the Stars organization. He was drafted 13th overall in 2018 by the Stars and made his NHL debut in the 2020-21 season when he appeared in 26 games for Dallas.
The 23-year-old forward had his best season in 2022-23, appearing in all 82 regular-season games for the Stars and recording 28 points (nine goals and 19 assists). He was also a consistent penalty killer for Dallas.
However, Dellandrea's role was reduced this past season, as he skated in just 42 regular-season games and recorded nine points (two goals and seven assists). With rising young stars like Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque proving they were ready for the NHL, Dellandrea was unable to claim a consistent spot in the lineup.
Stars GM Jim Nill told The News that he and Dellandrea spoke at the end of the season and came to an agreement that this offseason was the right time for his departure.
"He was disappointed in his opportunity. He voiced his opinion that way," Nill said. "Trying to figure a cap out, we're trying to make this work. I've got to save money wherever I can. In the end, we discussed leaving is the best for him. He's worried about his career, too.
"Sometimes it's just time, and I respect his career, too. I've got to weigh the cap and got to weigh what's the value we can get for the players we're moving. We just thought it was probably the best time."
Nevertheless, Dellandrea was a popular player in the locker room, building a strong relationship with Stars goalie Jake Oettinger. He also proved clutch in the playoffs such as when he scored the game-winning goal in Game 4 of the Vegas playoff series this year or his two-goal performance in Game 5 against the Golden Knights last year.
Dellandrea will join a Sharks organization in the midst of a rebuild but on the brink of drafting top prospect Macklin Celebrini first overall. He will also be reunited with former Stars' vice president of communications and broadcasting Tom Holy, who became San Jose's assistant GM ahead of the 2022-23 season.
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