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Dallas Stars Mailbag: Predictions For Long Season Ahead

By Josh Clark

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With training camp in full swing and the regular season just 19 days away from beginning, the Dallas Stars are encroaching upon a new year.

This new year includes not just a fresh start, but a new team with new hopes. These hopes will most definitely need to be expounded upon, and the only way that can be done is once they are put into action starting October 8th.

As we usually do during important times in the Dallas Stars year, we hosted a mailbag for our readers to contribute questions. This is a chance for you, the beautiful people, to send us your questions about the upcoming season. So it’s my turn to answer the mailbag, and I picked a few of my favorite questions out. Thanks to all who submitted! My answers can be seen below:

Question #1: Can you see Dallas winning The President’s Trophy this year with their formidable goalie tandem? (submitted by Rishi Trikha)

Answer: In theory, the Stars are in the best shape to take The President’s Trophy over every other team. But that is only if everything that is slated to work on paper gives off in real life. That begins with the newest dynamic duo on the team, Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi. Both are powerful, experienced goalies with a track record for starting and playing big minutes throughout the season. Lehtonen finished the 2013-2014 season having played in more games than any other goalie in the league. He complimented it with a .919 save percentage and a 2.41 goals against average. Last season, these numbers took a dramatic shot, even though Lehtonen played in the same amount of games.

Niemi did not have the greatest season last year, either. But he still saw a better final stat line than Lehtonen. These two goalies will create an atmosphere of healthy competition, challenging each other for starting time. If they continue to help each other improve through the competitiveness, expect both goalies to see dramatic improvements in their performances this coming season. The Stars are in a loaded Western Conference where goaltending is the ultimate key to success. If these two can play as the Stars are looking for them to, I see the President’s Trophy as a very possible asset in the Stars future.

Question 2: Is Antti Niemi better than Kari Lehtonen? (submitted by @RaiderVengance)

Answer: This is a difficult yet intriguing question. While Niemi is better than Lehtonen statistically, there are other underlying factors. Kari is a more weathered veteran, logging 510 games to Niemi’s 338. Niemi has a Stanley Cup in his resume, but Lehtonen has more experience.

There are multiple pros and cons for each player. But if my life were on the line and I had to pick, I would give a slight edge to Lehtonen. This may come as a shock to some, if not most of you. After suffering his worst career season last year, there is a lot of pressure on Kari from the coaches to the fans.

More From Blackout Dallas – Stars Have No Need For Definite Starter In Crease

But the acquisition of Niemi is only going to make Lehtonen better. Whether it’s physically or mentally, the two will feed off of each other’s experience and skill, ultimately creating a powerhouse in the crease that will be difficult to overrun. While Niemi does own the better stats, his come in four less seasons of NHL play than Lehtonen’s. It may take Niemi a few games to adjust to a new format, which gives Lehtonen the perfect chance to take control of the crease.

Overall, the Dallas Stars quite possibly have the best duo in the crease throughout the NHL. In the end, it’s very difficult to decide between one goaltender and the other. Expect Kari Lehtonen to bounce back in a big way this season, mainly due to the pressure on his shoulders from another starter looking for just as much playing time as he is.

Question 3: Who do you think will be the biggest surprise on the Dallas Stars this year? Also, no choosing anyone who is coming back healthy from an injury last season and no Kari Lehtonen. (submitted by Rishi Trikha)

Answer: Oh, so I can’t keep bragging on Lehtonen? Oh well.

Honestly, there are plenty of players due for a big season this year in the Dallas Stars organization. Just some of these names include Jason Spezza, Cody Eakin, and Alex Goligoski. But in my honest opinion, the one player who was not injured at all last year that needs to step up this year is Colton Sceviour. That may seem like a bit of an odd answer, but there are plenty of reasons for Sceviour to step up this year.

In the final year of his contract, Sceviour is more than likely looking at fourth line time this coming year and plenty of AHL players knocking on the door for time. If he is looking to keep his spot on the roster and earn a new contract, a big year is most necessary from the 26-year-old. Just so I don’t beat a dead horse, click here for an article from a few days back about Sceviour and the necessity for him to turn in a big year.

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Question 4: Do you expect Stephen Johns to crack the opening roster? If so, whose spot does he fill? (submitted by @ethex01)

Answer: I was waiting for this question to pop up, so thank you for being the one to ask it.

The Traverse City Tournament taught us many things. But more than likely the biggest thing it taught us was that Stephen Johns is for real. The towering prospect defenseman proved that he packs a punch and knows how to play some excellent two-way hockey.

While I expect the Stars to give him a chance at taking a starting spot, I think that there are just too many Dallas veterans sitting in front of him. These are ones that know the system better and can therefore perform at a higher level with less trouble. Not to say that Johns can’t learn the system and jump up to speed quickly. But for opening night, I see Stephen Johns in one of those fancy new Texas Stars uniforms. I see the Stars starting six on opening night looking something like this:

Alex Goligoski – John Klingberg

Johnny Oduya – Jason Demers

Patrik Nemeth – Jyrki Jokipakka

Now that is not to say that Johns is going to be in the AHL all season. After all, look at John Klingberg and his abrupt call-up last season. Look where he is now. But excellent question, and training camp will shed a lot of light on this opportunity for all the Stars defensemen.

Question 5: What exactly is Victor E. Green? (submitted by @MattyT3895)

Answer: If I could tell you, I promise that I would. At this point, I’m 90% sure it’s a crossbreed of the Phillie Phanatic and an alien’s booger. Not entirely sure yet, though.

Wow, that was a lot of writing. I feel wiser now that it’s all been said and done. You may not, and I completely get that. But overall we received some excellent questions so thank you to all who submitted. If you had a question but didn’t know how to submit, like us at FSBlackoutDallas on Facebook or follow us @BlackoutDallas on Twitter and wait for our next post asking for them!

Everyone enjoy your weekend and make sure to keep up with the Dallas Stars 2015 training camp. It will be an interesting one for many different reasons.

Next: Three Things To Watch For In Dallas Stars 2015 Training Camp

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