While the Canucks have been looking to add more grit and size up front since their Stanley Cup loss last season, the potential long-term absence of Ballard could suddenly push the club to acquire a defenseman instead.
However, the market for blueliners has been scarce at this year's deadline as key defensemen have already been moved to other contenders.
Meanwhile, the Stars' recent winning ways might eliminate any notion of the team dealing its players ahead of the deadline, with Dallas sitting in eighth place in the West, currently locked in a three-way tie with the Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche for the final playoff spot.
The Stars may be willing to move Ott if the Philadelphia Flyers make winger James van Riemsdyk available, which could cause the Canucks to lose out on him.
The Canucks could also inquire about Kings captain Dustin Brown, who might still be in play, or even attempt to make a run at Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash, though he has not listed Vancouver as a preferred destination.
More Trade Deadline Info
List of Trades
| No-Trade/No-Movement Clauses
| Top 25 Available Players
| Team-by-Team Cap Info
