NHL Trade Rumors: Dallas Needs to Hold onto Mike Ribeiro and Steve Ott

The Dallas Stars need to turn a blind eye to the suitors of Mike Ribeiro and Steve Ott. As the deadline approaches, and with Dallas currently sitting on the outside of the race for the playoffs, offers are going to come in for these two valuable players. 

While the Stars need to improve their roster, they aren't going to do it by trading either of these two players. Let's take a look at the rumors before we discuss why this is the case. 

The Rumors

Pierre LeBrun of ESPN dishes on the latest scuttlebutt. 

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None more so in the Stars' dressing room than Steve Ott and Mike Ribeiro, both of whom have heard their names in the rumor mill. And indeed, sources confirmed to ESPN.com that the Stars have gotten calls on both and would consider moving them for the right deal. 

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It is important to note that this doesn't mean they aren't actively shopping either of these players. They are simply entertaining offers. Unless that "right deal" is the kind of overwhelmingly favorable deal (which isn't likely) they need to hang on to both of these guys.

Why Dallas Must Hang onto Both of These Guys

Ribeiro certainly isn't going bring in an overwhelming trade offer. He is a flawed player with a gaping hole on defense. 

However, he is a quality player on the offensive side of things, and is typically at the center of the offensive playmaking. He fits well offensively into the Stars' style, and this makes him far more valuable to Dallas than to other clubs. 

Simply put, Ott is the face of this franchise. He is a favorite of the fans and a leader on the ice. He is also at the center of the Stars' marketing efforts. 

Without him, this team would lose any identity they had. 

Neither of these players can be replaced by any trade package Dallas will offered.