After a trip to the Western Conference Finals, the Dallas Stars embark on an opportunity to make their team even better this off-season.
Most of the talk will be about improving the d core, but there’s another area where the Stars should improve. Throughout most of the playoffs, it was Dallas that got outhit.
Along with having superstars like Jason Roberson, Joe Pavelski, Miro Heiskanen, and Roope Hintz on your team, it’d be wise to acquire more muscle for the roster.
Dallas needs a bonafide enforcer.
Having at least four all-star caliber players on your team, there’s no doubt that other teams will make runs at those guys. Even in today’s more skill, and finesse-driven NHL, hitting is still part of the game. Players play physically to separate the body from the puck but use their hitting to help shut down their opponent’s best players. Thereby getting an advantage during the contest.
Sometimes the physical play of the opposing players can go too far. Cheap shots, late hits, and unnecessary hard hits that all lead to injuries compromise the integrity of the game and can jeopardize a team’s season and a player’s safety. Having a guy on your team who is a strong fighter helps to keep opposing players honest about their actions on the ice. Other teams are interested in Wilson, and the Stars should be too.
Other teams will inevitably lay shots on the Stars’ best players. Bringing in a guy like Wilson will make opposing players think twice about the hits they dish out. Having one of the most feared enforcers in the game today is a must for every NHL team. Concerning Jamie Benn and Mason Marchment, the team just doesn’t have enough muscle to protect guys like Roberson and Heiskanen.
Provides Depth Scoring
Not only does Wilson play physically, but he can also score too. Wilson was often a top-six forward during much of his time with the Washington Capitals. Often, he played with Alexander Ovechkin on the top line.
If Wilson can play alongside somebody who has a chance to pass Wayne Gretzky in NHL career goals, then he can certainly provide an offensive spark for Dallas. While the Stars would have to make sacrifices to their current lineup for Wilson, all teams around them look to shake up and improve their roster as well. The off-season is full of teams rolling the dice to bring them closer to playoff berths in the upcoming season; some teams adjust to win or defend the Stanley Cup.
Stanley Cup Resume
Another appealing attribute for the Stars acquiring Tom Wilson is that Stanley Cup championship experience. A valuable experience that guys bring to their latest team. Take the Vegas Golden Knights, for example. They recently acquired Jonathan Quick, who has two rings, and a Conn Smythe trophy to his name, in addition to having Phil Kessel, Alex Pietrangelo, and Alec Martinez, who won two cups with Quick. It certainly helped Vegas. Gaining a past champ can help Dallas too.
Adding Wilson adds championship experience that would complement what Tyler Seguin already brings to the Stars. It’s an x-factor that boosts team play that every NHL team looks for during the summer and before the trade deadline.
