Dallas Stars Enter Free Agency Period With Options Open
By Josh Clark
NHL free agency is just 24 hours away from opening, and the opportunities seem endless for every team. For the Dallas Stars, there could be any number of spontaneous actions. All we have to do now is wait.
Hold onto your hats, folks. The NHL is less than 24 away from the opening of their free agency market, and it’s promising to be an exciting ride.
Some of the league’s biggest stars, including Brian Elliott, P.K. Subban, and Shea Weber have already been moved, and just yesterday the Tampa Bay Lightning ended the Steven Stamkos sweepstakes by re-signing their superstar center. Not to mention all of the rumors still polluting the air around some of the names on the trade block and in the free agency pool.
The Dallas Stars are just one of 30 teams resting in the hope that they will come out of this offseason with a more powerful lineup, a better team, and a stronger chance at the Stanley Cup. But in reality, only a handful of teams will reach that pinnacle.
So far, the Stars have been rather lucky in that regard. In arguably each offseason over the past three years, Dallas has come out a better and stronger team, at least in one area or another, and have quickly built their way to Stanley Cup contention.
Will it happen again this offseason? Well, there’s definitely a chance. While it does not look like they will be engaging in a blockbuster trade as they have in year’s past, they could still make some significant moves once the market cracks open tomorrow, July 1st.
But what opportunities await? Well, let’s see. There have been significant rumblings that the Dallas Stars are interested in trading for Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop. There have also been some rumors spread that veteran defender Brian Campbell is in the Stars’ sights. And though nothing official has come out, Dallas has seemingly been interested in defender Dan Hamhuis for a while now.
That being said, the Dallas Stars can go a lot of different ways. How far does their leash extend though? Could there be two defenders coming to Big D? Or a defender and a goalie? Just a goalie? Just one defender? Nothing?
There’s no definite answer, and that is what makes it so exciting. The Stars have a world of opportunity waiting on their doorstep, and they have plenty of options to choose from. The best thing that Stars fans can do is go in with an open mind. General manager Jim Nill is entering his fourth rodeo at the helm, and he will be as persistent as necessary.
All in all, the Dallas Stars have an interesting scenario ahead. They could trade for Bishop and/or sign Campbell and/or sign Hamhuis. It’s highly unlikely they do all three. But Nill has worked magic before, and with his smarts he could find a way to pull 2/3. Considering where the Stars are at right now, two players could buy them a one-way ticket for the Cup Finals.
Not to mention the unrestricted free agents from the Stars that they could end up re-signing as well.
must read: What Must Happen To Make Ben Bishop A Dallas Star?
With an unstoppable offense, a young but firing defense, and an improving goalie tandem, the Stars are in a good spot. Throw in two veteran superstars, and this train is on its way to the top.
The Stars are in a very comfortable position as of now, and they can choose their battles. Come tomorrow morning, there is going to be some crazy changes to the current Dallas squad. But in this scenario, change is exciting and can be fun in the right situation.
Next: Brian Campbell Potentially Coming To Dallas?
It’s going to be a wild ride, Stars fans. All we can do is buckle up. You know the targets. Just get ready to fire.