Moving on from a soul-crushing Game 7 overtime defeat is always a lingering blow. The Dallas Stars must look ahead to the 2022-2023 season even as the Playoffs are still going on. There’s nothing to do but watch now but at least the Calgary Flames are out. The Flames being out means the Stars are on the hook for an unwanted unofficial reward. Alexander Radulov is off to the KHL and now the team is creating gaps quicker than they can fill them. Free Agency will make or break the future of this team.
Stars on the Hook for Biggest Loser
The Biggest Loser of the NHL Playoffs is not something you want to be. They are now on the cusp of being it. The biggest loser is the chain of 3 teams losing after a First Round elimination. For example, The Stars got eliminated by the Flames who got eliminated by the Oilers. The Edmonton Oilers are now down 2-0 to the Colorado Avalanche. If the Avalanche lose in the Stanley Cup Final then the Stars are the Biggest Loser.
Farewell Rads
Alexander Radulov had a long tenure with this organization. His five years in Dallas started off great but lingering injuries dampened his play. No official word is out but it appears that he is going back to Russia to play in the KHL. This clears up over $6,000,000 in cap space.
Free Agent Frenzy
$17,544,167 is a lot of money. Not so much when you consider all the players that need a contract. That number is their available salary cap. Jake Oettinger and Jason Robertson must not go to another team. They are RFAs so at least the Stars have some say on their future with the team. Free agency can erase any problems the Stars had last year.
The head coaching search is also underway. They also cleared up a serious chunk of the salary cap. Results from the last three seasons are a whirlwind. A Stanley Cup Final appearance, missing the playoffs, and a First Round exit has the path of this team in a twist. Offseasons make or break a team and this one will determine the Stars’ future for a long time. These playoffs were a bummer even more so if the Eastern Conference Champion defeats the Avalanche. Some (most) Stars fans might want the Avalanche to lose.
Important days are ahead in the next month.
