Dallas Stars: Valeri Nichushkin Departure Means New Opportunity at RW

The Dallas Stars are looking to fill a top-six role now that Valeri Nichushkin has signed in the KHL for the next two years

The Dallas Stars gave Valeri Nichushkin every opportunity to succeed. At 18 years old, Nichushkin had a solid rookie season with 14 goals and 34 points in 79 games and even maintained a plus-20 rating. However, due to injuries and lack of performance, Nichushkin played just eight games in 2014-15 and managed only nine goals and 29 points in 79 games last season.

He was slated to be their top right-winger and is certainly their best prospect at the position. With Nichushkin leaving for the KHL, the Stars will have to find another suitable candidate to take on a top-six role.

Who’s Left at RW?

Signing Jiri Hudler could not have come at a better time. He was incredible during the 2014-15 season with the Calgary Flames but fizzled out last season after splitting time between the Flames and Panthers. When playing with high-end talent, Hudler has proven his effectiveness and will be a healthy option for the Stars on the right side.

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Patrick Eaves and Ales Hemsky are aging forwards who have become more role players than anything. Hemsky is a great playmaker, but his durability and consistency have always been an issue. Playing a third line role alongside Cody Eakin could be the best fit, as it would limit his minutes but allow him to bring an offensive touch to the Stars’ first checking line.

Eaves is a great skater but a bona fide bottom-six forward. He will take his rightful place on the fourth line, and hopefully can bring some of the same energy that saw him score three goals and six points in nine playoff games.

Last but certainly not least, is the Stars’ next best RW prospect in Brett Ritchie. He has been given a couple NHL stints over the past few seasons but has come up short. However, as an AHL player, Ritchie has been a top producer and has improved with every season. He missed time due to injury, but his 14 goals and 28 points in 35 games last year was his best performance yet.

Ritchie was even given some playing time in the playoffs last season but was ineffective in his two-game stint. Nevertheless, as a proven AHL point producer, there may not be a better player to take on the empty RW spot alongside Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.

Dallas Stars’ Potential Lines

Benn – **Seguin – Ritchie

Sharp – Spezza – Hudler

Janmark – Eakin – Hemsky

Roussel – Faksa – Eaves

**injured

Tyler Seguin is dealing with a hairline fracture in his heel, and his status for training camp is still unclear. If things do not change, there is a good chance the centers shift up, with Janmark taking on the empty C spot. That would open another spot for Adam Cracknell, Curtis McKenzie or another player who impresses during training camp.

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The Stars have plenty of depth and could shift things around as the season rolls on. Radek Faksa is a young, offensive-minded player who is still finding his footing as a pro in North America. If he shines early on, there is a good chance he shifts into the top-six.

While Hemsky is a bit of a long shot, Hudler is another player who has plenty of experience playing a top-six role. He helped Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan find their footing in the NHL, and could be a healthy producer with elite-level linemates.

In the end, Ritchie would benefit from the first look. He is becoming accustomed to top line minutes, and playing with Benn and Seguin should only help his development. Not to mention, if Nichushkin chooses to play his career in the KHL, the Stars would have an NHL-ready RW prospect capable of taking the reigns.

Next: Team North America Gives Hope For A Strong NHL Future

Despite losing a prime prospect in Nichushkin, the Stars have the right players to balance out their roster and still be effective. Not to mention, Nichushkin was not performing when on the ice, and the Stars have been quite successful without his presence. With that said, even with Nichushkin gone, the Stars have plenty of options to consider for the 2016-17 season and beyond.