The Stars could have been the biggest disappointment last year as they were expected to compete for the Stanley Cup but the defence was bad and goaltending atrocious. The Stars addressed their needs bringing in Ben Bishop and Marc Methot as well as more forwards including Alexander Radulov and Martin Hanzal. With the goaltending situation solved and more help on defence, the Stars should once again be a playoff team.
Arrivals/Departures
Arrivals: Ben Bishop, Alexander Radulov, Martin Hanzal, Marc Methot, Tyler Pitlick, Brian Flynn, Mike McKenna
Departures: Cody Eakin, Patrick Sharp, Jiri Hudler, Antti Niemi, Ales Hemsky
Forwards:
The Stars forward group is led by two of the best players in the NHL in Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin who are both proven consistent 70-point producers. Benn is the best left wing in the league as two years ago he led the league with 89 points taking the Stars to a first place Central Division finish. Since his trade from Boston, Tyler Seguin has dominated in his four years with Dallas netting at least 72 points in every season. Benn and Seguin may be the best combo of forwards in the entire NHL. Alexander Radulov was brought in from Montreal after four years back in the KHL to finally provide Benn and Seguin with a contributor on the first line. Jason Spezza is not the player he used to be but he still gives you good play as a second-line center. Antoine Roussel has evolved his role from a fourth-line grinder into a good top-nine winger as he will play alongside Spezza. The final top-six winger will probably be Brett Ritchie who is entering a make-or-break-it year. The other big off-season addition at forward was Martin Hanzal who will help contribute to the penalty kill as one of the best third-line centers in the NHL. Mattias Janmark had a good rookie season in 2015-16 but missed all of last year with an injury; he should contribute on the bottom six this season. Devin Shore was OK as a rookie last year as he played with Benn and Seguin for a majority of the season but he will fall into a more comfortable bottom-six role. Radek Faksa will be the fourth-line center again after a good season where he improved on his rookie year turning into one of the best fourth-line centers. Tyler Pitlick, who had his flashes with the Oilers but injuries stopped him from showcasing his talent, got a three-year deal from the Stars to show what he can do. The last forward spot will probably go to either Adam Cracknell, Curtis McKenzie or Brian Flynn.
Defenceman:
The defence needed some improvement after a terrible season in 2016 and GM Jim Nill delivered bringing in defensive defenceman Marc Methot as well as getting defensive-minded head coach Ken Hitchcock. John Klingberg is a flashy offensive defenceman who has turned into one of the best offensive defenceman in the game but needs to work on his play in the Stars' end. Marc Methot should play the same role he played with Erik Karlsson who is similar to Klingberg. Methot will be asked to stay back when Klingberg jumps up into the rush, Methot is one of the best in the league and filling in for other defencemen on the rush. Esa Lindell was good in his first full season last year earning an extension; expect him to have a breakout sophomore campaign. Dan Hamhuis disappointed in his first season with Dallas only scoring one goal but he can still be a good fourth defenceman. Julius Honka got some NHL action last year with 16 games so expect to see him make the roster full time and contribute as one of the best rookie defenceman. The last spot on the defence will be a competition between Stephen Johns, Jamie Oleksiak and Patrik Nemeth who have all been busts for what were expected of them.
Goaltending:
Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi were probably the worst goaltending tandem in the NHL last season as they continually allowed too many goals causing many loses where the Stars scored plenty of goals. Ben Bishop is a great goalie but he struggles to stay healthy which may be a concern; if he plays 60 games the Stars should be good. Lehtonen struggled as a starter last year but he should be a reliable backup with less pressure on him.
Projected Lineup:
Jamie Benn
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Tyler Seguin
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Alexander Radulov
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Antoine Roussel
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Jason Spezza
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Brett Ritchie
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Mattias Janmark
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Martin Hanzal
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Devin Shore
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Adam Cracknell
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Radek Faksa
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Tyler Pitlick
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Curtis McKenize
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Justin Dowling
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Brian Flynn
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Marc Methot
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John Klingberg
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Esa Lindell
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Dan Hamhuis
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Julius Honka
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Stephen Johns
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Jamie Oleksiak
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Patrik Nemeth
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Ben Bishop
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Kari Lehtonen
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Mike McKenna
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Top 10 Players:
10. Esa Lindell
9. Antoine Roussel
8. Marc Methot
7. Martin Hanzal
6. Jason Spezza
5. Alexander Radulov
4. Ben Bishop
3. John Klingberg
2. Tyler Seguin
1. Jamie Benn
Projected Finish: 99 Points (3rd in Central)
Last Year: 79 Points (6th in Central)
Photo credit for Ben Bishop goes to https://www.usatoday.com/. Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin goes to http://www.sportsnet.ca/. John Klingberg goes to https://www.cbssports.com/.
