Cogliano goes to Stars, Shore to the Ducks in struggling teams’ deal

FRISCO, TEXAS >> The Dallas Stars acquired Andrew Cogliano from the Anaheim Ducks on Monday for Devin Shore in a swap of low-scoring veteran forwards on two frustrated teams.

The 31-year-old Cogliano has just three goals and eight assists in 46 games this season after scoring just his second goal in three months Sunday night in the Ducks’ overtime loss at Winnipeg. The loss was Anaheim’s 11th consecutive defeat, extending the longest skid in franchise history.

Ducks general manager Bob Murray thanked Cogliano for 7 1/2 years of steady play, but acknowledged his offensive limitations were a problem. Anaheim is 30th among the NHL’s 31 teams with just 109 goals this season.

“We’re trying to get younger, obviously, but we’re also looking for some people with a little more creativity, because we’re not scoring enough goals,” Murray said in a phone interview. “Not fair to single Cogs. It’s not because of him. This is just something that came available. We’re trying to get better, because we’re not good enough.”

Murray issued a statement Sunday night saying he isn’t currently planning to fire coach Randy Carlyle. But Murray also criticized his players for their insufficient efforts during the Ducks’ monthlong losing skid — and the next morning he traded away one of his most experienced leaders.

Cogliano is a tremendously durable 12-year veteran who ranks among the NHL leaders with 19 short-handed goals since entering the NHL in 200708. But his offensive contributions have all but vanished this season — his goal in Winnipeg was just his second in three months — despite his strong all-around game.

Defenseman Josh Gorges retires after 13 seasons

Josh Gorges is retiring after 13 years in the NHL, having twice reached the Eastern Conference finals with the Montreal Canadiens.

The 34-year-old defenseman announced his decision Monday through the NHL Players’ Association.

Gorges has been out of hockey since his contract expired with Buffalo last season. His role gradually decreased during his four seasons with the Sabres, and he was limited to a career-low 34 games last year.

From Kelowna, British Columbia, he broke into the NHL as an undrafted free agent with the San Jose Sharks in 2005-06. He was traded to Montreal the following season.

He was a hard-working player during seven-plus seasons with the Canadiens and was twice voted the team’s unsung hero by Montreal media. He calls his time there “arguably the greatest eight years of my hockey career.”

Overall, Gorges finished with 17 goals and 107 assists for 124 points in 783 games, plus nine assists in 68 playoff games.