Veteran forward Cole joins Red Wings from Stars

On the eve of Monday's NHL trade deadline, the Red Wings sent two prospects and a draft pick to the last-place Stars in exchange for Cole and a conditional 2015 third-round draft pick.

The 36-year-old Cole has 18 goals and 15 assists in 57 games this season. The Red Wings will be hoping his experience, 526 career points and 46 playoff games, will be valuable in the upcoming post-season.

Detroit (35-15-11) is currently third in the Atlantic Division, one point behind Tampa Bay.

Dallas, who entered Sunday at the bottom of the Central Division, received young defenseman Mattias Backman and center Mattias Janmark in the deal.