The Stars (35-17-9) are currently tied for first place in the Central Division with the Winnipeg Jets, who have four games remaining. Dallas ranks 14th in the NHL in goals against per game (3.03).
“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to add a player of Chris' caliber to our team,” said Stars general manager Jim Nill. “He is a proven defenseman with postseason experience who is comfortable in all situations on the ice. Chris is one of the best penalty killers in the NHL and will be a tremendous asset to our special teams play.”
Grushnikov, 20, has five points (one goal, four assists) in 44 games for Texas of the American Hockey League this season. He was selected in the second round (No. 48) of the 2021 NHL Draft.
The Flames (29-25-5), who have won four straight, are five points behind the Nashville Predators and will clinch the Western Conference's second wild card into the playoffs.
“Obviously, Chris, what he means to the organization and what he's done for us over the four years, it's never easy to let people go, but we also knew we had to do that,” said Craig Conroy, general Flames manager told NHL.com. “Moving forward, we've had a lot of conversations with different teams to figure out what's best for the Calgary Flames, what we want to do and achieve here. To get Artem Grushnikov, he has to be young.”, a 20-year-old defensive back who is good at taking penalties, strong, just a solid all-round defender. … I think he’s someone we’d like to add to the group.”
The Devils (30-25-4) are five points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning with two games to play and thus clinch the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.
NHL.com independent correspondent Aaron Vickers contributed to this report.