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After rejecting Dillon offer, Stars trim roster to seven D

Brenden Dillon

Dallas Stars’ Brenden Dillon (4) makes a pass during an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames Monday, March 18, 2013, in Dallas. The Stars won 4-3. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

AP

Curious last 24 hours in Dallas.

Last night, news broke that GM Jim Nill had rejected a two-year, $3.8 million offer for RFA defenseman Brenden Dillon -- who’s missed the entire preseason -- and today, the Stars trimmed their roster to just seven NHL blueliners.

Dallas sent promising d-man Jyrki Jokipakka to AHL Texas, one day after they sent ’14 first-rounder Julius Honka and Swedish blueliner John Klingberg down as well.

With the moves, the Stars now have what could potentially be their opening-night defense: Trevor Daley, Alex Goligoski, Sergei Gonchar, Jordie Benn, Kevin Connauton, Patrik Nemeth and Jamie Oleksiak.

It’ll be interesting to see what, if any, effect this decision has on the Dillon negotiations. The Stars have reportedly been pleased with their young d-men this preseason and would like to see them take the leap; Oleksiak, 21 and Jokipakka, 22, were lynchpins of the AHL Texas team that won the Calder Cup a year ago while Nemeth, also 21, was the 41st overall pick at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Nemeth and Oleksiak also compensate for the loss of Dillon’s physicality. Nemeth goes 6-foot-4, 233 pounds while “Big Rig” Oleksiak -- listed at 6-foot-7, 250 pounds -- is an absolutely towering presence that’s not afraid to engage in the rough stuff.

Just watch: