Dallas Stars Are Still A Work In Progress
The Dallas Stars are still figuring things out, but must do so quickly.
The Dallas Stars entered the 2017-18 season with high expectations after an offseason of additions. However, through the first month of action, the team is still a work in progress.
With all the offseason acquisitions Dallas was expected to begin the season as one of the league’s best teams. Many expected a major bounce-back season after a disappointing 2016-17 season following a second-round playoff exit the year before. However, with a 7-5 record through the first month of action, the Stars have left a lot to be desired with their on-ice performance.
Dallas’ record may appear to be respectable but in seven victories they’ve only managed to defeat one playoff team from last year (the Calgary Flames, who were swept in the first round). Other victories include defeating the Arizona Coyotes twice, along with wins at home over the Detroit Red Wings, Carolina Hurricanes, and Colorado Avalanche. None of them are considered Stanley Cup contenders.
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Whenever the Stars have faced potential Stanley Cup contenders like the Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, or Edmonton Oilers, they’ve been a different team. Combined, they’ve lost all three games by a score of 13-7.
Dallas believed they became Stanley Cup contenders in the offseason after adding four major pieces to the roster. In free agency, they added forwards Alexander Radulov and Martin Hanzal. The Stars also acquired defenseman Marc Methot and goaltender Ben Bishop in separate trades. Along with the addition of the players, the team also brought back former head coach Ken Hitchcock.
Radulov was brought in to help take some of the scoring pressure off of Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn and so far he’s done just that. In 12 games this season he has 10 points.
Meanwhile, Hanzal was brought in to help give Dallas one of the best center lineups in the league featuring three quality centers including himself, Seguin, and Jason Spezza. Unfortunately for Hanzal, he’s struggled through the first month with his new team and currently has the worst plus/minus rating on the team with minus-nine.
Methot was another addition with high expectations after making a name for himself in previous years being Erik Karlsson’s defensive partner. Stars defenseman John Klingberg has great offensive talent and the hope was Methot would help Klingberg reach his full potential much like he helped Karlsson.
On top of helping Klingberg, Dallas desperately needed a defensive leader like Methot to help set the tone against the tough Western Conference. However, Methot is still finding his place with his new club as he currently isn’t in Dallas’ top-five for ice-time, compared to last season where he ranked fourth on the Ottawa Senators.
Last season part of the blame for a disappointing year was placed on the goaltending tandem of Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi. It was believed the constant swapping of games and lack of a true No. 1 goaltender hurt not only both players but the team as well. Since joining the team Bishop has established himself as the unquestioned No. 1 goaltender and the Stars seem better off for it.
However, things haven’t been perfect for Bishop as he was forced to leave Dallas’ season-opening loss after taking a puck to the mask. Bishop was also pulled in a 5-3 loss to Colorado where he made it perfectly clear he was against being pulled in the contest. Coach Hitchcock made the questionable move early in the second period despite only being down by a score of 3-2 at the time.
With four quality players added to the roster and a new coach in charge, it’ll take time for the Stars to come together and maximize their potential. There is no doubt the team is loaded with offensive talent but questions remain as to if Hitchcock will be able to get the team to be defensively responsible without sacrificing too much of the offense.
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After the season’s first month, Dallas has proven they can defeat lesser teams. However, they’ll need to reach another level of play if they hope to compete for a division title, let alone a Stanley Cup.