Every NHL team starts off each season with aspirations of winning the Stanley Cup. The Dallas Stars came close two seasons ago when the Tampa Bay Lightning eliminated them in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Stars are gearing up for a run at the Stanley Cup with their recent Free Agency acquisitions. This fanbase is starving for a championship and the Stars can bring them one. The Stars’ immediate future is set with a great mix of young thunder and grizzled veterans. Their window to win the Stanley Cup remains open.
General Manager Jim Nill put on a master class during this Free Agency window. He resolved any issues that each position had. The Stars should have the top 10 in goaltending and defense next season. The Anton Khudobin, Ben Bishop, and Jake Oettinger tandem have enough experience to backstop the Stars all the way. The addition of Braden Holtby now means they have extra utility for goaltender. The only question now is if this quad becomes a trio. Rumors have Khudobin leaving the team as he appears to be on the potential trade block.
The Kraken took Jamie Oleksiak so Nill goes out and replaces him with Ryan Suter. The Blue Line has plentiful experience, especially with the re-signing of Miro Heiskanen. Jani Hakanpää is also a new addition to the solid blue line. Esa Lindell, Heiskanen, John Klingberg, Suter, Andrej Sekera, and Hakanpää are a defensive core that will give trouble to many offenses.
The Stars are 2nd in the NHL in the average age of their roster at 29.9 years, only behind the Washington Capitals. They’re veteran presence is lead by captain Jamie Benn. Benn has been in the organization since 2007 and has given his entire career to the city so far. If he lifts the Stanley Cup in a Stars uniform then that memory will last a lifetime for Stars fans. Suter and Joe Pavelski are also looking for their first Stanley Cup after long careers.
Jason Robertson is a diamond in the rough. Robertson cements the offense after coming off an incredible year. This offense is looking for a breakout year with the signing of Luke Glendening and re-signing of Joel Kiviranta. If everyone can stay healthy, they should have no problem in making the playoffs.
This fanbase is aching for a championship. The American Airlines Center hasn’t hosted a game in the final round of the playoffs. Their Stanley Cup Final appearance was in the Edmonton bubble. Imagine what the roar of the crowd would have been like in the AAC. The Stars have what it takes to bring this city a Stanley Cup Championship. Nill knows what he’s doing and the Stars look good for next season.
Caption: Dallas Stars / Twitter
