The Argument Between Jamie Oleksiak And Jyrki Jokipakka
By Josh Clark
The Dallas Stars sit on the brink of extinction from the playoff race. One loss on Saturday crumpled a confident winning streak as well as send them plunging down the standings.
Now dismissed and ignored with the odds against them, the Dallas Stars will need to pull off something spectacular and perhaps miraculous if they are thinking about qualifying for the postseason. With 16 games remaining in their season and 10 points out of a playoff spot, it’s red-alert time in Dallas.
Part of the reason for their monumental collapse from their outstanding expectations at the beginning of the year can be blamed on their defense. The Stars blue line has been shaky and sketchy at best for the majority of the season. This is due to the youngness in the lineup and the lack of a central powerhouse pairing. They experimented with John Klingberg as well as Jason Demers, and both trials have produced rather well since their origin. But after their painful third period collapse on Saturday where they allowed a one goal lead to slip away by giving two wide open chances to the Lightning, it is easy to notice that there is still learning to be done.
With the confirmed lineup of Alex Goligoski, Jason Demers, Jordie Benn, John Klingberg, and Patrik Nemeth at the time, that leaves an open space in the sixth spot. The space is currently being filled with Jyrki Jokipakka. Jamie Oleksiak has been recalled by the Dallas Stars from the AHL, mainly for the purposes of filling in for a possibly injured John Klingberg on Tuesday night in Philadelphia, but this contradicts Jim Nill’s plan back in early January.
“I want the young guys playing all the time, so we might create a situation where the guys go down for a week or two weeks and play four or five games and then come back up and maybe the next guy goes. Now that can all change quick as you know with injuries and that, but that’s the game plan right now. I want the young guys to keep playing. They’ll still be up here, but I want them kind of when they’re not playing get in the lineup down there and play.” -Jim Nill (January 3rd)
After picking up David Schlemko off of waivers in early Jauary, Nill suggested a situation where he would shift between Jokipakka and Oleksiak between the AHL and NHL lineup. He pointed out the loss of defensemen to injury and waivers that the Stars had experienced up to that point in time and produced the above scenario.
When he made the comment, he followed it up by sending Jyrki Jokipakka down to the AHL and letting Jamie Oleksiak get his fair share. Oleksiak played all except three games where Schlemko filled in from January 3rd to the 29th. After 26 days, Oleksiak was sent down and Jokipakka was recalled.
Since the recall, Oleksiak has yet to skate in an NHL game, while Jokipakka has remained with Dallas. That means Jokipakka has been up in the NHL for 38 days and played consistently through the span.
Jamie Oleksiak has played 32 games for the Dallas Stars this season, registering one goal and seven assists, along with a -1 rating. In the AHL, he’s played 19 games and tallied three goals and eight assists, along with a +11 rating. This is his third season to play in an NHL setting for a part of the year.
Jyrki Jokipakka has played 36 games for the Dallas Stars this season, registering 0 goals and nine assists, along with a -4 rating. In the AHL, he’s played 19 games and tallied three goals and two assists, along with a -1 rating.
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The Dallas Stars defensive problems can also be attributed to the fact that they have a lack of consistency with their lineup. Mixing up one or two pairs every few different games is not beneficial for a blue line with enough problems meshing as it is.
It is a tough decision, but the Dallas Stars at least need to give Jamie Oleksiak his chance in the NHL. Jokipakka has struggled lately, and Oleksiak proves to be a big body and physical checker that can always benefit a lacking blue line. If Oleksiak is added to the lineup, he could be what the Stars need to pick themselves back up before it is too late. At this point, there is not much room left to be stingy about mixing it up. The Dallas Stars may as well try everything they can before their season is lost for good.
The Dallas Stars take on the Philadelphia Flyers tonight, and will look to start the path to a miraculous comeback with two points. If not, they may as well prepare for the annual offseason fishing trip.
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