Texas Stars Have Ongoing Battle In Crease For Starting Spots

The Dallas Stars did not endure the season they were hoping for in the 2014 preseason. With a lack of consistency intertwined between their young, inexperienced defensive corps and their disheartening presence in the crease, the Stars ended up on the outside looking in. With seven points separating them from the nearest playoff spot after game 82, it was clear that there was need for change.

So GM Jim Nill went to work, as he always does when the offseason rolls around. Adding the services of Patrick Sharp, Johnny Oduya, and Antti Niemi, Nill improved every corner of the Stars overall scheme, giving the club no more excuses to use as the 2015-2016 season approaches.

The Texas Stars had a similar finish to their 2014-2015 campaign as well. Coming off of a Calder Cup championship in 2014, there were high hopes that the team would once again make a deep playoff run, even with a new coach and new goaltending arsenal. Instead, the Stars qualified for the first round of the playoffs, clenching their spot rather late in the year. But they would soon fall victim to the Rockford IceHogs in a three-game sweep.

So, noticing that they weren’t necessarily as good as they were the year before, they went to look for improvements.

As they began their excursion of new additions, they hit a bit of a roadblock. Jussi Rynnas, who had been the primary starter for the Texas Stars in 2014-2015, decided to transfer to the KHL. Rynnas had signed with the Stars organization in the 2014 offseason and had been a solid starter. Through his one season, he obtained a 22-6-0 record along with a.920 save percentage and a 2.53 goals against average.

With Rynnas moving along, the Stars had a hole in their crease. 2011 10th overall pick Jack Campbell is projected to be the full-time starter in the coming year, so long as he can stay healthy. The 23 year old goaltender has yet to see a consistent year between the pipes in the AHL. As he continues to grow in experience, Dallas Stars fans are growing anxious for their first rounder to attain a full-time position in the NHL.

But Campbell needs a solid year in the AHL before they consider bringing him up, and what better way to do that than take up the starting gig? So with the starting role locked down, the Texas Stars were lacking a reliable backup goaltender.

Enter John Muse. The Stars signed on the services of Muse on August 4th. The 28 year old goaltender has an extensive ECHL/AHL career trailing him, including his most recent experience with the Carolina Hurricanes minor league group, the Charlotte Checkers.

Muse spent four seasons with the Boston College Eagles to begin his career. Through all of his trials, Muse has been tested and proven that he is a competent starter.

So Campbell and Muse are the two starters, and it’s all settled right?

For now, it seems like that will work. But there is a dark horse favorite in the Stars crease, being Philippe Desrosiers. After an excellent season in the QMJHL, Desrosiers made it known that he is ready to go pro. Being drafted by Dallas in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, he has improved his play with each passing year and wants a bigger role. Training camp will be the perfect time to see it all unfold and note who the two main goaltenders will more than likely be. But Desrosiers has expressed his acceptance of playing in either the AHL or ECHL, so long as he goes pro.

So, the Texas Stars are giving themselves options between the pipes. If one of the goalies begins to waver, they now have a backup option to go to. It seems like the Stars organization in full has finally found completeness. This comes with a price, considering there aren’t many more areas to throw the blame. Let’s hope this completeness pays off.

Next: Evaluating Travis Moen's Place In New Stars Offense

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