The NHL’s annual holiday roster freeze goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. Dec. 19 and expires at 12:01 a.m. Dec. 28. It’s worth watching if any general manager attempts to make a trade before then.

It’s been quiet on the trade market of late. Only nine deals have taken place since the puck dropped on the 2022-23 regular season, with six occurring in October.

There might not be much trade activity leading up to the freeze. Just three deals went down before last year’s freeze, while four took place in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the start of the 2020-21 season until January.

Things might be quiet, but the rumor mill is abuzz with speculation. There’s talk that the Vancouver Canucks and winger Brock Boeser might part company. Meanwhile, pundits wonder if Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane will reunite with former teammate Artemi Panarin on the New York Rangers.

How much stock should we put in those rumors? That is what we’ll determine as we examine the latest notable conjecture and classify whether it’s worth buying or selling.

Dallas Stars In the Market for a Top-Six Forward

On Nov. 29, the Dallas Stars re-signed first-line center Roope Hintz to an eight-year, $67.6 million contract extension. However, they could also be in the market for depth among their top-six forwards.

The same day as the Hintz signing, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported the Stars would like to add a forward to play on the second line with Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment. Dreger noted it would be a “luxury” but one the club is seeking in the trade market.

With $3.5 million in projected trade deadline salary-cap space, the Stars can’t take on a big-ticket player. They might have to settle for a more affordable rental option.

Dallas is jockeying with the Winnipeg Jets for first place in the Central Division. Management doesn’t have to rush in to addressing this need and could play the waiting game to see who becomes available.

Verdict: Buy

The Stars possess a balanced lineup that includes veteran stars Seguin, Jamie Benn and Joe Pavelski along with rising stars Hintz, Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen. Nevertheless, management could look to bolster the roster for a deep playoff run.