Every NHL team starts the season with high hopes of winning the Stanley Cup.
Not all teams make it to the big dance, but some get close.
The Dallas Stars were one of those teams that got close last year, falling just 2 wins shy of the Stanley Cup Final dampened their hopes the previous season. This year is a brand new season with a different team. Only 1 has what it takes to win the whole thing.
The motto of the Stars in recent years is close but never enough. The Stars almost won it in 2020 and fell 6 wins short in 2023.
The Stars have new players alongside roster veterans that are getting better.
Just how far will the Stars go this year?
Finish Better Than Last Year
Making it to the Western Conference Final is no easy task. Winning the Western Conference after going down 0-3 is near impossible. They clawed their way back into an interesting series, but any momentum died in Game 6 to the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Golden Knights stormed through the Florida Panthers in 5 games to win the Stanley Cup. The Golden Knights got what the Stars wanted. The goal for the 2024 Playoffs is to make it to the Stanley Cup Final.
How to Do it
New players are arriving on the roster next season. Matt Duchene is one of those dark horse players that can make an impact on an already seasoned lineup. His 56 points last season finished 2nd on the Predators, so that the Stars can sprinkle in some offense. Jason Robertson went on the season of his life with 109 points in 82 games. He played in all of the Stars’ 101 games in the regular season and playoffs. What if he gets better? The future is bright for the 23-year-old phenom.
This offense is shaping up, so look out if everyone gets better. More offense is needed because the Stars had 0 in two important Western Conference Final games.
Grizzled Veterans Return
The resurgence of prime Jamie Benn catapulted the Stars into a near-division title. We haven’t seen his 33 goals and 78 points in a while. Add that with Tyler Seguin doing better, and you have the golden age trio firing on all cylinders.
Joe Pavelski is time himself. He just turned 39 and is still chalking up points on a near-per-game basis. Seeing him win his first Stanley Cup after a long career is in the territory of Ray Bourque, who won his first Stanley Cup at age 41. Joe Pavelski deserves a Stanley Cup.
Building a team for a Stanley Cup starts years in advance. The pieces are here for the Stars. Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Jake Oettinger are the keys to the future. That future is now for the Stars.
Only time will tell, but the 2024 Stanley Cup will have to go to someone.
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