Every NHL team dreams of drafting a franchise-defining defenseman, forward, or goalie in a single draft.

The Dallas Stars remarkably found all three in the 2017 draft.

The development of Miro Heiskanen, Jason Robertson, and Jake Oettinger into cornerstone players has been crucial to the Stars` consistent contention for the Stanley Cup.

This success explains why Stars General Manager Jim Nill has traditionally avoided trading draft picks.

This cautious approach made Nill`s trade deadline decision particularly surprising: The Stars traded two first-round picks, three second-round picks, and promising prospect Logan Stankoven for Mikko Rantanen.

While acquiring Rantanen, a top-tier winger, sends a strong message, it also indicates a strategic shift for the Stars, moving away from the development-focused approach that initially made them contenders.

`This decision is driven by two factors: our team`s current position and Mikko Rantanen himself,` Nill explained. `Trades often involve older players with limited years remaining.`

`Mikko is in his prime, an elite power forward. Given our draft position, opportunities to acquire such players are rare. Unique circumstances made him available.`

Following the trade, the Stars signed Rantanen to an eight-year, $12 million annual extension, emphasizing their belief in his ability to help secure their first Stanley Cup since 1999.

But what circumstances aligned for Dallas to land Rantanen? Why did the Stars deviate from their draft-and-develop strategy? And what does Rantanen`s arrival mean for the team`s immediate and long-term future, especially after their current playoff run?

`Trading for Rantanen clearly signals the organization`s belief in our chances and their commitment to winning,` Stars defenseman Esa Lindell commented. `This is a real opportunity to win, and with it comes increased pressure to succeed.`

RANTANEN PLAYED FOR the Colorado Avalanche, a division rival, giving Nill and the Stars` management team extensive exposure to his rise to stardom. They recognized him as one of the league`s best but never considered him attainable for Dallas.

`When analyzing our team and considering changes, Rantanen wasn`t even on our radar,` Nill admitted. `He simply wasn`t an option.`

This remained true even when Rantanen was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on January 24. The Stars still didn`t see him as a potential target, given Carolina`s own championship aspirations.

Rantanen tallied six points in 13 games with the Hurricanes. However, as contract extension talks stalled, speculation grew about Carolina potentially trading him again to avoid losing him for nothing in free agency.

`About two weeks before the trade deadline, the Hurricanes started gauging market interest,` Nill revealed. `We were among the teams contacted. Initially, we weren`t seriously considering it, but about a week to ten days before the deadline, we decided to explore the possibility, though still not fully expecting to make a move.`

Pragmatism remains Nill`s guiding principle.

Before pursuing a trade, several factors needed to align. For example, acquiring Rantanen last season would have been financially impossible due to the Stars` cap situation.

This season, injuries to Tyler Seguin and Heiskanen created cap space due to their combined $18.3 million salary. This flexibility allowed the Stars to absorb Cody Ceci and Mikael Granlund`s contracts in a trade with San Jose on February 1.

However, further cap maneuvering was required to accommodate Rantanen`s contract. The initial trade involving Chicago retaining 50% of Rantanen`s $9.25 million salary was crucial, effectively reducing his cap hit to a team-friendly $4.625 million for the remainder of the season.

`Multiple factors converged, creating a scenario where acquiring Rantanen became feasible. A year prior, with our full payroll and no injuries, it would have been impossible,` Nill stated. `But given the changed circumstances, an opportunity arose, and we pursued it more seriously.`

The Stars already had a successful formula, built around a young core, mostly under 26. Their system consistently produced NHL-caliber players from their prospect pool, ensuring both on-ice talent and salary cap stability.

So, why did Nill and the Stars decide to deviate from this approach? Especially considering the rising salaries of homegrown talents like Thomas Harley and Wyatt Johnston as they moved beyond their entry-level contracts?

`Our focus extends beyond just this season. Committing to a player of Rantanen`s caliber, in terms of trade assets and contract, implies a long-term vision,` Nill explained. `We had to reassess our team`s direction. With key players deserving significant pay raises, we had to figure out how to make it all fit under the salary cap.`

CHAMPIONSHIP WINDOWS ARE FLEETING, and change is constant.

Jason Robertson, despite being only 25, exemplifies the significant changes the Stars have undergone since their streak of three conference finals appearances began in 2020.

Robertson played three regular-season games in 2019-20 and was part of the taxi squad during the playoffs but didn`t play. Only seven current roster players were on the team that season, including Jamie Benn, Roope Hintz, Seguin, Heiskanen, Lindell, and Harley. Oettinger was also on the taxi squad but didn`t play in the 2020 playoffs.

`The following year, we missed the playoffs, initiating a transition to a new group of players,` Robertson recalled. `It was my second year, and our goal was simply to make the playoffs as a wild card team. In my third year, Coach DeBoer arrived with a new staff and more new players. Our expectations were uncertain, but making the playoffs was the initial aim.`

Nill credits the Stars` successful transition from the Benn-Seguin era to their current competitiveness to their farm system, which provided crucial players on affordable contracts.

As these players mature into established veterans, the Stars face the ongoing challenge of cap management and difficult roster decisions.

While this is a common issue for perennial contenders, Rantanen`s arrival has accelerated this process for Dallas. Before the trade, the Stars projected to have over $17 million in cap space this offseason. This would have been sufficient to re-sign pending UFAs like Benn and Matt Duchene and still have room for free agent additions.

This calculation included Oettinger`s salary increasing from $4 million to $8.25 million and Johnston`s new three-year, $8.4 million annual contract as a restricted free agent.

With Rantanen`s contract, the Stars` projected cap space shrinks to $5.32 million, according to PuckPedia. This raises questions about the return of Benn, Duchene, and Evgenii Dadonov (as well as Ceci and Granlund) and potentially limits their activity in free agency.

However, Jamie Benn highlights the positive message sent by the trade. It demonstrates the front office`s confidence in the current group and their willingness to alter their long-standing philosophy to acquire and retain a player like Rantanen for nearly a decade.

`This trade reflects confidence in our team and our performance this year,` Benn stated. `Our recent drafts have positioned us for success. Acquiring a player of Mikko`s caliber boosts our confidence. Now, it`s up to us to capitalize on this opportunity.`

Regarding his own contract situation, with his current deal expiring, Benn remains focused on Dallas.

`I don`t envision playing for any other team,` said Benn, a Star for his entire 16-year career. `Hopefully, we`ll resolve everything this summer, but I`m excited about the Stars` future.`