Erik Cole is on his way to the Detroit Red Wings. (USATSI)
Erik Cole is on his way to the Detroit Red Wings. (USATSI)

Entering play on Sunday six points out of a playoff spot, the Dallas Stars have apparently decided that they are going to be sellers ahead of Monday's NHL trade deadline.

The Stars have traded veteran forward Erik Cole and a third-round draft choice to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for two prospects (Mattias Backman and Mattas Janmark) and a second-round draft pick. According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Dallas will get its pick back if Detroit makes it to the third round of the playoffs and Cole plays in 50 percent of the games. 

In 57 games this season Cole has 18 goals to go with 15 assists for the Stars. 

He joins a Red Wings roster that is already pretty solid up front and has a nice mix of established veteran players and up-and-coming youngsters that are starting to make their mark in the NHL. 

Cole, currently playing in his 13th NHL season, won a Stanley Cup with the 2005-06 Hurricanes and was a member of the 2001-02 team that lost in the Finals. He has not scored a goal in a playoff game since that 2002 postseason, a postseason goal drought that is currently at 34 games.