Dallas Stars Season Ending Report Cards: Mattias Janmark
By Josh Clark
The Dallas Stars had a wonderful 2015-2016 season, we know that. But how did each player specifically perform? Blackout Dallas will dive into this question over the next few weeks by writing up a report card for each player.
The Dallas Stars had another spectacular year on the offensive side of the puck, only in this most recent season they used a few new faces.
Mattias Janmark was called up from the minors and proved himself enough to play the entire regular season with the Stars and the playoff run that followed.
Overnight sensation
On March 1, 2015, the Dallas Stars dealt away veteran F Erik Cole and a third-round pick to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Mattias Janmark, Mattias Backman, and a second round pick. The Stars would invite Janmark to training camp, where he was impressive enough to make the preseason roster, and eventually he found a way to snag a starting spot on opening night.
Janmark would go on to score his first NHL goal on his first NHL shot in his first NHL game on October 9, 2015 this year, and has not stopped his sensational play since.
Regular season recap
After Mattias Janmark tallied a goal on opening night against the Pittsburgh Penguins just 1:39 into the game, no one knew what to think. Was it just a lucky shot, or had Jim Nill really done it again and traded for a thriving rookie with a world of potential ahead of him?
Over this past season, Janmark helped prove the latter. In 73 regular season games, Janmark scored 15 goals and tallied 14 assists for a total of 29 points, as well as a +12 on-ice rating in 14:10 average ice time.
He played the flexible role well, playing multiple positions on multiple lines throughout the season and continuing consistent production. Janmark logged a magnificent rookie season, and left plenty of room to continue improving and growing.
Playoff recap
Mattias Janmark stepped into the spotlight once again throughout the Dallas Stars’ 13-game Stanley Cup Playoffs run. He suited up in 12 of the 13 total games, scoring two goals and notching three assists along with a -3 on-ice rating in an average of 14:41 on the ice.
Playing alongside Jason Spezza and Valeri Nichushkin for the duration, Janmark created excellent chemistry within his line, and the trio ended up tallying six goals.
“It was fun,” Janmark said about playing with his two line-mates. “They are two great players. I played with a lot of great players this year, and with that line we got some good chemistry and it was just really fun to play with those guys.”
Contract situation
Mattias Janmark is only 23 years old, and therefore still a restricted free agent. He will serve the second and final year of his contract next season before becoming an RFA. It is a two-way deal with a cap hit of $733,750 and will pay Janmark $700,000 this coming year.
Considering he only has one year left on a contract he signed with Detroit, the Dallas Stars will more than likely begin looking into negotiations in the near future.
The opinion section
It’s pretty clear that Mattias Janmark is one of the bright, young faces of the Dallas Stars’ organization and that he needs to be a Star for a long time. His window of opportunity and growth is just now opening, and he is already pushing it to the limit.
Janmark did his job this season for the Stars, and acted as if he had been playing in the NHL for years. His calm and collected attitude helped him execute night in and night out, and he definitely put on a show in his rookie campaign.
Considering the jam-packed offseason the Stars will be working their way through this year, Janmark may not get an extension extended his way until next season. But considering he is a young guy on the rise with a small-time current contract, Dallas should have no trouble locking him up on a multiyear and potentially long term deal to remain with the organization in the coming months.
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Bottom line
Mattias Janmark hit the NHL ground running this season and proved that he is ready to run with the big dogs. His potential is impressive and the Dallas Stars have an opportunity to lock him up for the long run.
With 11 free agents at the NHL level that must be dealt with this coming offseason and a Jamie Benn contract extension in need of attention, Janmark can almost bet that he won’t be receiving any offers this offseason.
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But with one year to go in his deal, GM Jim Nill will have plenty of time to work out a potentially four or five year deal that suits both sides and allows for Janmark to thrive and grow in Dallas for many seasons to come.