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Heika: Loui Eriksson could be a good fit as a rental if Boston is open to move him

Dallas Stars insider Mike Heika recently held a chat. Here are some highlights:

Question: Which defensivemen have played the best defense this year? Which have struggled? Do you see Stephen Johns coming up soon? Thanks.

Heika: They've taken turns struggling and playing well. I think Alex Goligoski has been the most consistent at playing defense, and John Klingberg has been really good defensively in the last five games. That pair has faced the other team's best players, and has defended well both with possession and with coverage. With Nemeth and Oleksiak part of the eight-man group, I would not expect Johns or Esa Lindell to get a call-up unless there were some real injury issues.

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Question: So the Stars appear to be the real deal and come the trade deadline, is there any position in particular you would look to strengthen? Any early names you'd target?

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Heika: If Boston is open to it and hasn't re-signed Loui Eriksson, I think he would be a player that would be a good fit as a rental. (although making that deal after the Seguin trade might be tough to pull off). If San Jose or Vancouver is struggling, I'd inquire about Brent Burns or Alex Edler and put up some of the young guns as bait. That's just barstool talk, but now I can say that I said it first if it ever happens.

Question: We got a good look at Faksa: how would you describe the type of player he is? Who else in the league would you describe his style of play to and what kind of player is he projected to be (top 6 skill player, 2-way solid roster guy, etc.)?

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Heika: We were talking about this the other day, and I think if he could become a player like Sami Pahlsson, that would be the top end. He's not going to score a ton, but he could be a great physical checker who can win faceoffs and shut down the opposition's best players. He would be fantastic on a third or fourth line,just wearing down the other team.

Question: Describe the scene in the Stars locker room. It seems apparent that the guys under 30 mesh well and get a long very well (both Benns, Seguin, Demers, Klingberg, etc.), but how does Spezza, Hemsky, Eaves, Sharp, etc. fit? Do they generally keep to themselves? Outspoken?

Heika: As I said before, we're not in there when things are heated. We're in there after practice or a morning skate when things are pretty relaxed. They all seem to get along well, they all seem to have a lot of fun. I would say veterans like Sharp and Spezza could fit on any team. Hemsky has come out of his shell after spending the summer in Frisco. There is no individual who seems out of place right now.

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Question: From what we've seen of Oleksiak, how would you assess his progression?

Heika: I do think he's better. The biggest challenge for Oleksiak and Nemeth right now is to be prepared and to seize the very rare opportunity when it presents itself. I think Oleksiak has handled that well mentally. I would be very curious to see how he would do if he was in the lineup every game, because I do think he's a better player than he was last year

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