Hey Heika: Stars could use scoring help, but at what cost?

The NHL trade deadline is Feb. 24, the Stars are in a heated battle for first place in the Central Division and teams already have started shuffling players, so there is plenty to talk about when it comes to hockey.
We asked fans to pose questions for senior staff writer Mike Heika, and they came up with some good ones in this edition of our "Hey Heika" mailbag:

What do the Stars need to add for the playoff run? Would their draft picks be in play? -- @jeresells
Mike Heika: I think they would do well to either add a goal scorer or a facilitator to the forward group. But it becomes complicated, because whoever is added would need to help boost the offense while not costing the team defense. I think we saw last year that a player like Mats Zuccarello can really help make his fellow forwards better offensively, and that's the kind of catalyst that would be perfect.
I think they would have to find a way to include some draft picks to get the level of player they want -- either the first from this year or a first or second from 2021.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Stars look as though they could potentially make a move. I was looking at players like Pageau, Duclair, Kreider. But what assets could we realistically give up to get one of them? As we're running low on 2020 draft picks. -- @_RyanRichardson
Heika:To be in play on one of the big dogs, you would have to include your first-round pick from 2020 or 2021. If you can get a team to wait until 2021, then you could work a pick that moves from a third to a second or a second to a first, and that could allow you to be a little more flexible.
You also have to at least have the debate on whether it would be worth it to trade your 2020 first and just not have a pick in the first three rounds this year. Whoever you get in the first will likely not be ready for a few years, so would it be worth it to trade that pick for a player who could help you now? The core of your team is aging and the windows seems open for the next couple of seasons. It seems like you could find plenty of fans who would be ready to give up a little bit of the future for a chance to win right now.
Do you think the price for Blake Coleman makes it much harder for the Stars to make a move at the deadline? -- @Corychurchman11
Heika:Yes, definitely. The prices already have been high, as Blake Coleman (21 goals, 10 assists, 31 points) yielded a first-round pick and a prospect who was taken in the first round. Jason Zucker (14 goals, 15 assists, 29 points) nabbed a first-round pick and a solid prospect who was taken in the second round. If you look at the offensive numbers for a player like Jean-Gabriel Pageau (22 goals, 14 assists, 36 points), Tomas Tatar (21 goals, 32 assists, 53 points) or Chris Kreider (23 goals, 19 assists, 42 points), you can only imagine that every discussion starts with a first-round pick.
Mix in the fact the Stars would rather not give up one of their good prospects, and the talks get even tougher.
The guess is that Dallas wouldn't even entertain a discussion on defenseman Thomas Harley, goalie Jake Oettinger or winger Jason Robertson, because the team needs future depth at those positions. You might be able to talk them into discussing Ty Dellandrea, because they have two solid checking centers in Jason Dickinson and Radek Faksa, but that makes negotiations with the Stars a little limited if you are a team shopping one of your "rentals."

What do you think will happen with the goalies in the playoffs? Will they still rotate some or will the Stars just ride Bishop as far as he can take them? -- @benpatterson33
Heika:I think the plan is to do what they did in the playoffs last year, and that's to start Ben Bishop every game. He was the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy, and he seemed to thrive on the minutes and the intensity of the playoff battle.
That said, having Anton Khudobin is a great safety valve. Not only could they use him if Bishop is hurt or struggling, they could go to him as a strategic maneuver just to change things up or to rest Bishop. Khudobin is so low maintenance when it comes to being ready that he creates all sorts of options for the coaching staff.

How long are Bishop and Dobby under contract? -- @EParrish1021
Heika:Ben Bishop is 33 and has three more years after this season at an average of $4.9 million. Anton Khudobin is 33 and is paid $2.5 million this season. He can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.
What will it cost to re-sign Dobby? And do you think the Stars would try to resign him or go with an in-house replacement? -- @bry_hockey
Heika:It's a tricky question. Does Anton Khudobin like it in Dallas? Does he feel he can do his best work here because he plays in a system that seems to limit scoring chances? Is he OK if he gets no time or limited time in the playoffs? Those are all things that will have to be considered before he decides whether he wants to test the market in the summer.
From the Stars' standpoint, they need to be confident that Jake Oettinger is ready to take the next step. Oettinger, 21, is 10-13-3 in the AHL this season with a 2.67 GAA and a .912 save percentage. So, depending on if Texas makes the playoffs and if Oettinger plays well there, it sure wouldn't hurt if he got another season in the minors.
It's going to be a great discussion at the time, but my guess is the Stars would love to find a way to get Khudobin back next season.

Why didn't they have an alumni game at the Winter Classic? -- @robertgct488
Heika:I think there were so many moving parts, including having the ice ready and whether or not they could get the Fair Park indoor ice up and running (they did not). I think it just fell through the cracks, as the team and the league tried to make sure all of the other aspects of the Winter Classic were taken care of.
In retrospect, the rain might have made it so an Alumni Game couldn't have been played anyway.
Editor's note: The Stars will host their annual Boxx Modular Alumni Game presented by Lockheed Martin on Sunday, Feb. 23 at American Airlines Center immediately following their matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks. One ticket gets fans into both games.
What if Julius Honka comes back from Finland and ends up making this roster during camp? (If he isn't traded at or after the draft). Something interesting to think about, even though it's been mostly downhill for him with this team. -- @JakeRD\\
Heika:I really like Julius Honka and have been one of the people who defend his trade value, but I just don't see that happening.
He has 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 37 games in Finland, and he just isn't knocking down the door right now. If indeed the team decides to let go both Roman Polak and Andrej Sekera as UFAs in the summer, the guess is Thomas Harley, Taylor Fedun or one of the AHL guys will be good enough to hold down the blueline depth.
I have not seen this question get asked, but are we into territory where Bowness will get the head job going forward? Or will the Stars, no matter the finish this year, still be searching for a coach in the offseason? ... Thanks, I'll hang up and listen! -- @sportsruss
Heika:There's a lot to consider here. One, do the Stars go far enough in the playoffs to make this a legitimate discussion? Two, does Bowness want to be a full-time head coach? Three, is there someone better than Bowness available even if he wants to come back? So much can change in one playoff series in the NHL, so there is a lot on the line as the team plays out the rest of this season.
What does the coaching search look like for next year (if one is taking place now)? I like Bowness, but does Nill look to go back to younger/analytics minded? Is there a point that the team can get to that secures the job for Bowness next year? -- @rewdy214
Heika:The past three coaching searches have yielded three completely different hires, so I'm not sure what they would be looking for. I don't believe they are looking for the next head coach right now, because I think they are very focused on winning this season, and they don't believe taking focus away from this season would be a good idea. I think there is a chance that Rick Bowness wants to continue on if the season turns out the way he likes. I think there is a chance he would step aside and let a new head coach come in while he moves back to running the defense.
On the good side, I think Dallas has a great reputation as a solid place to work, Jim Nill has a ton of respect from his peers, and the team seems ready to win right now. That would allow you to be in any discussion with any coach who was on the market. That opens up all sorts of options for Nill and the front office, and my guess is that will make it easy to wait until this season plays out with full confidence that whatever happens, they will be able to make a good choice in the summer.
Do you think having Johns back has rejunivated the team a bit? He's certainly a unique defenseman who brings quite a bit to the table! -- @TripFloyd
Heika:Yes. Stephen Johns adds physicality, a right-handed shot, and a big bomb from the blueline. Those are all valued commodities (some of which, no other Stars defenseman possesses). One of the great things about adding a good player is it pushes other players down the depth chart and makes everybody better.
Stephen Johns is giving the Stars a very good partner for Miro Heiskanen and is creating a real competition to get playing time on the third pairing. Those are good things for the Stars right now.

When Razor gets his neck tattoo, what do you think the image should be? OR What is your favorite vacation spot? -- @Victoireverte
Heika: I think a tasteful Zegna logo would be nice. As for vacation spots, I feel my hometown of Traverse City, Michigan is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, so I love to go there in the summer (not so much in the winter).
What's the ruling behind Jamie Benn's hat trick goal since it didn't go in the net?-- @BreederBenBeyer
Heika:Rule 57.4 states: Awarded Goal -- If, when the opposing goalkeeper has been removed from the ice, a player in control of the puck (or who could have obtained possession and control of the puck) in the neutral or attacking zone is tripped or otherwise fouled with no opposition between him and the opposing goal, thus preventing a reasonable scoring opportunity, the Referee shall immediately stop play and award a goal to the attacking team.
It's basically to prevent teams from tackling a player with an empty net in order to get a penalty shot. It makes sense when you think about it. Players also can be awarded goals when a player on the opposing team shoots it into his own net, and those too count toward hat tricks.

Do you see Miro being able to be a 15-20 goal scorer or is he going to be more of an assist man? -- @ChrisMonteith3
Heika:That's a great question. To be honest, it sure doesn't look like it on this team. The Stars struggle to score goals, and it just doesn't look like any defenseman will score that many goals. It seems the best the Stars will do is maybe 11-13 goals from their top blueliner. That said, Heiskanen is 20 and the team could change a lot in the coming years, so maybe he develops into that. Right now, it does not seem like a great bet. Also, for perspective, the top 10 seasons for goals by a defenseman in franchise history are between 14-19 -- and only four of those have come while the team was in Dallas.

What's the outlook on Radulov? -- @NHLBreakdown
Heika:We'll find out more Tuesday, but with Jason Robertson going back to the AHL, I would say the outlook is good. I'm not sure who deserves the credit -- whether it be the training staff, or the strength and conditioning guys, or the players themselves -- but players have come back very strong from injuries this season. Joe Pavelski is the latest example of a player who sits out a few games and actually looks better when he returns.

Is Perry anywhere close to making his performance bonus? If not there yet, do you think it's likely he will? -- @grimvox
Heika: Yes, Perry's bonuses are based on games played. Once he hits 50, I believe his AAV will be $2.75 million. He then has the ability to earn an additional $500,000 in the playoffs, I believe.
Some submissions have been edited for brevity and clarity. Have a question for a future Hey Heika mailbag? Tweet it to @MikeHeika and use #HeyHeika.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika, and listen to his podcast.