Every team enters the NHL season with aspirations of winning the Stanley Cup.
One team wins it all, while 31 teams go home empty.
Not winning the Stanley Cup doesn’t mean the season is unsuccessful. Some teams can find wins along the way via playoff qualification or League MVP.
The Dallas Stars have one goal in mind. Winning a Stanley Cup will cement a lasting legacy for this team. It’s far too long since winning the Stanley Cup for the city of Dallas.
The 2023-2024 team has a chance to do what the 1999 team accomplished; other expectations will make this season successful as well.
Bare Minimum
Last year’s team is one of the best in recent Stars memory. The Golden Knights cut their ride just short of the big dance. The run to the Western Conference Final gave Stars fans a taste, albeit a sour one, of deep playoff games at the American Airlines Center. Having a team capable of getting far in the playoffs is what the Stars have.
Progress is progressing, so the minimum expectation is another Western Conference Final appearance. Anything less would mean this team is going backward, not forwards. This team has the capability of going further.
It’s Time
Winning a Stanley Cup means everything to this fanbase. It will be 25 years of no championships for this team by the time another chance rolls by. Fifteen teams have longer Stanley Cup droughts than the Stars, but still, it’s time for one. This team is too stacked with talent to not win at least one.
The clock is ticking on Joe Pavelski and Jamie Benn’s careers.
This is one of Pavelski’s last chances to win one in such an illustrious career. Going his whole career without winning one is unfortunate, but winning one is on the table this year.
Individual Achievements
Benn won the Art Ross Trophy in 2015 despite the team not qualifying for the playoffs. His last assist in the dying seconds of the season sent the American Airlines Center fans home happy despite no more games that season. Individual achievements are still something to strive for in a season.
All eyes are on the future of Jason Robertson. His 109 points last season are something unseen in this franchise for a long time. An Art Ross Trophy isn’t out of the question in his future, but unfortunately, he has to contend with a guy named Connor McDavid. Beating his own mark of 109 points is monumental in this young player’s career and will help the Stars reach the playoffs.
Winning the Stanley Cup is every Stars fan’s dream. This team has the talent to win it all.
The Stars have an exciting future, with a Stanley Cup not too far off in the distance. A Stanley Cup Final game in front of a raucous crowd in the American Airlines Center will enthrall this fanbase.
Photo: Dallas Stars/X
