NHL Predictions: Central Division 5 Bold Projections
By Ryan Ritchie
Dallas Stars Repeat Atop the Standings with a Better Record
Only two things can prevent this from happening again. First, Dallas needs to stay relatively healthy. Cody Eakin and Mattias Janmark are tough losses to start the year, but it doesn’t start to have that ripple effect until guys like Benn, Seguin, Sharp, Spezza, or Klingberg land on the IR.
Second, the Stars need a much better effort between the pipes.
Now, GM Jim Nill may eventually succumb the fact that his goaltending needs an upgrade. The only realistic targets that could help are Marc-Andre Fleury and Ben Bishop. Hammering out a potential deal is the interesting part since it seems Dallas will need to move one of Antti Niemi or Kari Lehtonen in the process.
Hypothetical Deals for both Fleury and Bishop
Pittsburgh trades Marc-Andre Fleury to Dallas in exchange for G Antti Niemi, F Radek Faksa, and D Patrik Nemeth
Tampa Bay trades Ben Bishop to Dallas in exchange for G Antti Niemi, D Stephen Johns, and 2017 1st Round Pick
The reason I believe Dallas can repeat in the tough Central Division is because they do best what no other team can, scoring goals by the bushel. Say what you want about the goaltending or the unfairly criticized defense core, but the last time I checked, the one thing that hasn’t changed in our sport is the objective. If teams/coaches insist on playing boring defensively structured systems, that’s fine. The objective of hockey is to score more goals than your opponent. It doesn’t matter if you allow one goal or six – all that matters is that you find the back of the net with more frequency.
On a bit of a side note, don’t be surprised if Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin both manage to top 100 points in 2016-17. Of course, the only way this can happen is a 75-plus game healthy season from both. Fingers crossed.