Dallas Stars co-GM Brett Hull had to make a big splash.

The Colorado Avalanche wooed Peter Forsberg back into the NHL, convincing him to make another comeback from chronic ankle and foot problems. San Jose added all-star defenseman Brian Campbell to beef up its power play.

So the Stars made a big move of their own, landing center Brad Richards from Tampa Bay in a five-player deal. Richards will add speed and No. 1 playmaker skills to a team needing both qualities.

With the Lightning, Richards was stuck in the No. 2 role behind Vincent Lecavalier. He didn’t have high-end linemates. He struggled to earn that five-year, $39 million contract.

In Dallas, he ought to star. So the price Hull paid — giving up young goalie Mike Smith and forwards Jussi Jokinen and Jeff Halpern, taking back netminder Johan Holmqvist — was fair.

True No. 1 centers are hard to come by. The Stars don’t have the Next Mike Modano in their system, so this deal makes perfect sense for them.

As for the Avalanche, the Forsberg gamble was a no-brainer. But giving up a No. 1 pick to bring back Adam Foote? That was quite a statement. Colorado absolutely, positively wants to make the playoffs this year.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets bailed. Not only did they move Foote in a Keith Tkachuk-like deal, they moved Sergei Fedorov to the Capitals. Fedorov was the favorite son of the previous GM, Doug MacLean.

Washington, like Columbus, sat five points out of the playoffs. But unlike the Blue Jackets, the Capitals elected to go for it.

They also added goaltender Cristobal Huet from Montreal, a move that elevated Carey Price to the No. 1 in Montreal –unless the Canadiens go after somebody new. Huet is headed toward unrestricted free agency and Price has been hailed as the Next Ken Dryden. So we’ll see.

The Caps also added agitator Matt Cooke from Vancouver. Suddenly, this young team is all in.