Tue, Feb 26, 2008 at 12:00pm

STARS GET RICHARDS

The Dallas Stars acquired center/left winger Brad Richards and goaltender Johan Holmqvist from the Tampa Bay Lightning for goaltender Mike Smith, left winger/center Jussi Jokinen and center/right winger Jeff Halpern and a fourth-round draft pick in

What does it give the Dallas Stars
In Richards they land an elite talent at center who just hasn't been playing like one for the past couple of years. Very quietly the Stars have been re-stocking with youth in recent seasons while also staying competitive by holding onto key veterans, and Richards (who is still only 27 years old) fits right in the middle as a guy in his prime. He will immediately make the Stars a legitimate threat to the Red Wings in the West, and hopefully this will light a fire under him. Holmqvist is another Bolt who has come under hard times, and is obviously a depth add to play behind Marty Turco.

What does it give the Tampa Bay Lightning
A wake-up call for the whole team, and a goaltender in Smith who may be the answer for them. The Bolts still have the talent to be a contender, but needed a shakeup in the worst way. If breaking up their three amigos (Richards, Lecavalier, and St. Louis) doesn't send a message, nothing will. Jokinen is an underrated playmaker who, while not as talented as Richards, can contribute on the top two lines (and especially in his own end, which Richards wasn't doing). Meanwhile Halpern is a gutsy and solid role player who can bring character and a bit of scoring to the bottom two lines. Smith has the goods to be a No.1 goalie in the NHL, and this may be his big chance.

Fantasy impact