For the spectators, it was certainly painful to watch the Stars play with an extra man last season, as they recorded a success rate of a mere 13.5%. A lack of any rhythm was evident on pretty much every occasion. The unit very rarely set up in the offensive zone well, and in doing so failed to get any sort of pressure onto the opposition.

The reason that the powerplay struggled so much was due to Brad Richards departing. He is one of the best powerplay players in the league, with great spacial awareness and puck distribution.

April 1, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) clears the puck up ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Philadelphia Flyers won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

However, out with Richie and in with Jagr. Jagr, along with others, will definitely make the powerplay better this season. The experienced Czech racked up 35 assists in his comeback season with the Flyers, emphasising just how great his passing skills are.

Joe Nieuwendyk‘s addition of Ray Whitney is also a good one when it comes to the powerplay. He was one of the top powerplay scorers in the league last season, and that should be the same this time around. Whitney scores points, has the attributes of a leader and can play big minutes. This guy will be huge next season.

With the likes of Jagr, Whitney, Roy, Benn and Eriksson as potential weapons on the powerplay, I am predicting a big year for the Stars playing with an extra man. This will have a big impact upon whether the team will make the post-season or not.

You also have to look at who the Stars will play on the point. Will they go with a defensive combo such as Alex Goligoski and Trevor Daley or will they stick two forwards on the point? I think the latter is certainly an option to consider with the talent available. All will be revealed on opening night.

Mar 31, 2012; San Jose, CA, USA; Dallas Stars right wing Michael Ryder (73) before a face off against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at HP Pavilion. San Jose defeated Dallas 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

For the past few seasons, the Dallas Stars have been struggling with finding a right handed, right winger who can score and help take the pressure off of Jamie Benn, who is one of the Stars up and coming players. They were also looking to replace some of the goal scoring left by Brad Richards, who signed a huge contract with the New York Rangers.  That all changed last season when they signed Michael Ryder from the Boston Bruins to a 2 year contract as he showed not only the team but fans and critics that he can be that be a consistent goal scorer. He led the Stars in goals with 33 which was also a career high for the 32 year old Newfoundland native. It was also the first time in five years that Ryder has scored 33 goals in a season. He even showed the Stars his durability to play in all 82 games. The only other players who stayed the course as well were Vernon Fiddler and Ryder’s line mate,Loui Eriksson.

Ryder told the press during the locker room cleaning, that he is comfortable with Dallas and loves being around the city. He is also exactly what Dallas wanted: a scoring winger who has a quick release and someone who can make an immediate impact. Even Glen Gulutzan, the head coach of the Dallas Stars said good things about Ryder and his impact:

“I think it’s been a real good fit. We brought in quality individuals. They all brought in pieces of the puzzle that we were missing. Ryds brought a guy who can put the puck in the net and a right shot, something that we needed here. Our guy Joe’s done a heck of a job in addressing needs.” (Quote source: Dallas Stars Website)

Ryder has proven to the Stars that he can a be huge impact with the team. He has also proven to the NHL and critics that he can be someone who can put pucks in the back of the net. Whenever the NHL has their season back up, Ryder will also have to play with a new center man as Mike Ribeiro was traded to the Washington Capitals for Cody Eakin. How much of an impact from the loss of Riberio will effect Ryder’s game?  It will be a big but Ryder will have to learn to adjust and find a new chemistry with someone else. My guess is that Gulutzan will pair him up with Jamie Benn and Loui Eriksson to make a deadly threat up top.

We all know that Ryder made a huge impact with the Dallas Stars last season. Let’s just hope when the season goes back up that he will have a great season and last season was not a fluke either. Below is a video of Michael Ryder and his scoring ability as he breaks free for the goal after Kari Lehtonen provides the slick pad save

Michael Ryder has proven to be a consistent goal scorer for the Dallas Stars. Let’s just hope we can see that again this year and beyond.