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Dallas Stars’ Success In Future Depends On Upcoming Season

By Allison Scott

Feb 14, 2017; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring the goal during the second period against the Winnipeg Jets at the MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2017; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring the goal during the second period against the Winnipeg Jets at the MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Stars may be shaping up to have a solid 2017-18 campaign, and that’s a good thing. How they do in the upcoming season could speak volumes about how they do for the next few years.

The Dallas Stars’ poor 2016-17 season is something that has been spoken about immensely. It is truly beating a dead horse to further explain the reasons why they were so awful.

However, it is because of last season that the Stars’ future is dependent upon their performance in the upcoming campaign.

Bouncing Back

Confidence is a tricky thing in professional sports and with seasons as long as the NHL’s it can be vital to success. Dallas forgot how to win and what it feels like to answer questions about the great aspects of the team. Their identity was buried under layers and layers of doubt and confusion.

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This translated to overthinking on the ice, which led to even more goals against. It also caused players to grip their sticks too tightly and opt to pass the puck instead of shooting. Ultimately, it created a downward spiral of disappointment.

Their lack of confidence was even easier to identify after being just one year away from such a fantastic season. While recreating the 2015-16 year should not be the goal of the Stars, their ability to come back and remind themselves and the league of what they can do is paramount to the team’s future.

Defending the Blue Paint

With the addition of Ben Bishop to the team the Stars seem to have solved their goaltender problem. This issue has, however, been one Dallas has proven unable to solve since Marty Turco‘s prime. Bishop’s addition to the Stars could go one of two ways: he could be a great fit or he could fail miserably. Unfortunately for Dallas the answer to that will be unknown for a while.

Coupling a new starting net minder with a new coach in addition to other personnel changes is risky. While it could work out in their favor, and thus lead to more success down the line, it could also cause chaos.

If Bishop loses the confidence of his teammates in the upcoming season, his tenure with the Stars could be tumultuous. Players like Jamie Benn and John Klingberg look to be on the roster for the long haul and their trusting the man in crease is, as a result, terribly important.

Next: Dallas Stars' Options to Move Around in Draft

The Future

While one season will likely not lead to years and years of bad luck, 2017-18 could impact the foreseeable future greatly. Assimilating new players, a new coach and a new twist on Dallas Stars hockey all within a few months is an overwhelming expectation.

However, the changes could be the perfect combination of organized chaos that just might do the trick. Unfortunately we will have to wait and see.

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