25-year-old center could be traded before the expansion draft.

Everyone know the expansion draft would result in a number of moves from National Hockey League teams, and one of those may soon be coming from the Dallas Stars.

In an interview with SportsDay.com, Dallas Stars insider Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News touched on the expansion draft strategy of the Stars, and the his most interesting thoughts came on the topic of 25-year-old center Cody Eakin.

"I think in the perfect world, you trade Eakin before June 17 and protect Roussel."

Heika believes that the Stars could be best served by trading Eakin whom he feels can still be a No.2 center in the National Hockey League. These comments were made prior to the signing of Ben Bishop today, so odds are the Stars will need the cap space more than ever. Here's Heika on whether or not he could see Eakin being traded:

Yes, definitely. I believe he could be a great fit as a No. 2 center on a team that has that need. He has played against the best players in the NHL in the role the Stars have used him in, and I still think he has the ability to be a decent offensive player.

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Plus, teams can find wiggle room on their protection list with seven forwards, so I think a team could acquire him and then protect him before June 17.

There are a number of teams lacking depth up the middle, but the added complication here is that any team trading for Eakin would have to protect him or risk losing him to Vegas in the expansion draft. If the Stars do want to make this trade a reality, they now have roughly one month to get it done.