Stars Acquire Numminen

In a three-team deal on Tuesday, the Dallas Stars picked up Phoenix Coyotes captain Teppo Numminen. Dallas sent defenseman Darryl Sydor to the Columbus Blue Jackets, who then sent center Mike Sillinger to the Coyotes. The Stars also received a second-round draft pick from Columbus and sent a conditional pick to Phoenix.

Numminen had been involved in several trade rumors since last March’s NHL trade deadline. He refused to waive his contract’s no-trade clause when the Detroit Red Wings inquired about him then but accepted the trade to Dallas.

Numminen, 35, had played his entire 15-season career with the Phoenix Coyotes / Winnipeg Jets franchise. He was selected by the Jets in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft and joined the team for the 1989-90 season. His 1,098 career games with Phoenix / Winnipeg is second-most with one franchise among active players, behind only Detroit’s Steve Yzerman.

“Teppo Numminen is a talented player who adds veteran leadership and experience to our defensive corps,” Stars general manager Doug Armstrong said. “He plays a solid game on both ends of the ice and is the consummate professional. We’re very excited to add him to our team.”

Sydor has split his 12 NHL seasons between the Los Angeles Kings and Dallas. He was deemed expendable as several of the Stars’ young defenseman have continued to develop.

Sillinger has spent parts of a 12-year NHL career with Detroit, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators and Columbus.