Report: 2020 playoff hero Anton Khudobin on the trade market

According to a report from Dallas Morning News reporter Matthew DeFranks, the Dallas Stars are getting increasingly more uncomfortable with the team's situation at the goaltending position and it could lead to a trade that ships fan favorite Anton Khudobin out of town.

The Stars currently have three goaltenders on their roster with Khudobin, veteran Braden Holtby and 22 year old former 1st round pick Jake Oettinger. And it's Oettinger's emergence as a legitimate option at the #1 position that is giving the Stars reason to consider a trade. The 6 foot, 5 inch, 220 pound native of Lakeville, MN has a sparkling 1.29 goals against average and .955 save percentage in four games this season. He was solid in 29 games with the team last season too, posting a 2.36 goals against average and .911 save percentage.

Oettinger has clearly outplayed both Khudobin and Holtby so far this season, but it's Khudobin who has struggled the most with a 3.73 goals against average and .873 save percentage in seven games.

With three goalies on the roster the team is unable to make necessary AHL call ups at forward or defence. By trading Khudobin they would clear $3.333 million from their cap for this season and next season.

More from DeFranks:

The Stars are carrying three goaltenders on their active roster since Holtby is not on injured reserve. They also don’t have enough cap space to recall any extra forwards or defensemen with three goalies on the roster. .

Dallas, of course, could trade Holtby ($2 million cap hit this season) or Khudobin ($3.333 million cap hit through next season), but that would eat away depth at a position that already has a mystery in Ben Bishop, a currently injured starter in Holtby and an underwhelming backup in Khudobin.

- Matthew DeFranks

If I'm Stars GM Jim Nill, I'm on the phone every day trying to find a suitor for Khudobin. And who better than the Edmonton Oilers? With starter Mike Smith out long term, the team has been relying on rookie Stuart Skinner and journeyman Mikko Koskinen for the majority of this season. A motivated and refreshed Khudobin could do wonders for the Oilers' long term outlook this season.