Why the Stars Should Try to Transition From Jamie Benn to Connor McDavid
Every so often, crazy stories pop up in the NHL’s news.
For example, there was a time when the Edmonton Oilers traded Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings.
Shocking trades, such as this one between the Florida Panthers and Calgary Flames, happen now and then.
The Dallas Stars need to make some big changes; otherwise, it’ll be another year without playing in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Too many obstacles from five-on-five play, to (a lack of) physicality and grit, are keeping the Stars on the pretenders list.
Nothing Is Certain
While McDavid coming to Dallas would make a lot of sense for both parties, it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. Every team would move mountains to get McDavid on its roster. Some also think that McDavid will stay in Edmonton.
Teams like the Montreal Canadians, Tampa Bay Lightning, and even a bitter rival in the Vegas Golden Knights (they always make a play for guys on the market) are other potential destinations after McDavid more than likely leaves Edmonton. Ultimately, McDavid wants to win the Stanley Cup. He’s earned the right to go wherever he wants. But given what Dallas already has built up under Jim Nill, joining the Stars might just be his best chance at it.
Dallas Has Quality Goaltending
The Stars have something the Oilers haven’t had in a long time: dependable goaltending. One of the biggest things keeping the Oilers from winning the Stanley Cup over the previous two years was quality goaltending. Or a goaltender who could play well, but wasn’t able to steal any games.
Dallas’ biggest playoff failures in recent years have been a lack of depth scoring and five-on-five goals. Not Jake Oettinger, who is still in his prime and surely motivated. For the Stars, Oettinger has been solid for the most part. He’s had moments of inconsistency, but he’s had his times where he would steal playoff games, too.
Would McDavid Take Another Pay Cut?
When McDavid signed a two-year extension with the Oilers last October, the deal was seen by many as a ‘last chance’ for Edmonton to prove it can compete for a Stanley Cup.
In the future, McDavid has a chance to pull a Chris Pronger. Play for a team his Oilers beat in the Western Conference Finals (Anaheim), and later join that team (in this case, Dallas), and finally win a ring.
If McDavid is to join a contender, he’ll most likely need to take another pay cut like he did last year.
That way, the next team he’ll join can afford to build around him to win.
If McDavid joins Dallas down the road, it’ll also likely be a reunion with his old assistant coach in Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan.
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Categorized:Stars