Last fall, the stage was set for the Dallas Stars to build on their high-scoring momentum and make a serious playoff run.
Things didn’t really go as planned.
After falling flat in 2016-17, general manager Jim Nill immediately set about making some big changes, starting with the man behind the bench. Gone is Lindy Ruff, and back again is Ken Hitchcock, who didn’t exactly follow through with his plans to retire.
Nill then fortified the already-potent forward group, giving Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn and Jason Spezza some new friends up front in Alexander Radulov and Martin Hanzal, and added veteran defenceman Marc Methot on the blue line via Vegas.
Perhaps the biggest move of all — both literally and figuratively — is in net. The Stars now have a proven No. 1 goalie in Ben Bishop.
The expectations are lofty once again, and this time Dallas appears to have the means to fulfill them.
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UP-AND-COMING PLAYER TO WATCH
Esa Lindell earned himself a fulltime gig on the Stars’ blue line last season, suiting up for 73 games and seeing time in the first pairing alongside John Klingberg.
This year, another Finnish rearguard looks poised to see more NHL ice: Julius Honka, who registered a goal and four assists in 16 games with the Stars last season. He plays a similar game to that of Klingberg, who spoke highly of the 21-year-old this past spring.
“Obviously he’s a really good skater and an offensive guy. He’s an unbelievably skilled player. I think next year will be a great chance [for him] to grab a roster spot,” Klingberg told NHL.com in May. “I’m pretty sure he’s going to play with us next year. I think it’s time for him to move up and play with us.”
Another Finn who warrants your attention is defenceman Miro Heiskanen, taken third overall in June’s draft. While he isn’t ready for the NHL yet, he’ll likely get a long look at training camp as someone who could jump into the mix in Texas next season. He plays a strong two-way game that fans should be excited about.
WHAT A SUCCESSFUL 2017-18 WOULD LOOK LIKE
Jumping back into the playoffs, and really making a splash.
On paper, this is undoubtedly a playoff team. The Central Division is a tough place to play, but the Stars have done an excellent job building up where they were weak last year to get back into the post-season picture.
The Stars were middle of the pack in terms of overall scoring last season. That should improve with continued excellence from Seguin and Benn, as well as the additions of Hanzal, Radulov and fellow newcomer Tyler Pitlick.
The real concerning number from 2016-17, though, was goals against. The Stars ranked second-last in that category, which can be attributed to a poor goalie tandem of Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen (.893 overall save percentage), plus a bottom-of-the-barrel penalty kill.
That should change in a big way with the addition of proven No. 1 Ben Bishop. The former Lightning netminder has a .919 career save percentage and is often in the Vezina mix. Lehtonen’s demotion to backup means more consistency for the Stars in the blue paint.
BIGGEST REMAINING QUESTION
New-again coach Ken Hitchcock is known for running a tight ship when it comes to defence. How quickly can the Stars adopt it?
The acquisition of Marc Methot should not be underestimated here, as the veteran brings with him a wealth of experience playing with the league’s best D-man, Erik Karlsson, and should stabilize a young and promising blue line.
Hitchcock has had plenty of success in Dallas, winning a Stanley Cup there in 1999 and establishing the franchise’s all-time coaching record for most wins.
“My vision is this is the organization I started with and this is the organization I want to end with, so I’m here long-term,” Hitchcock told SportsDay’s Mike Heika (Hitchcock has an open-ended contract, and will stay on as a consultant after he hangs up his coaching cap). “I want to coach as long as I know I can build a team. My view on myself is not based on wins and losses, my view of myself is can I build a great team, a team that can come together and reach its potential? My gauge is do I have the ability to build the team, and I’ll know whether it’s working or it’s not.”
Can Chapter Two bring another championship?
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