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Dallas Stars Defense Is Just Fine Right Where It Is

By Josh Clark

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The Dallas Stars have managed to make it through over a week of the offseason free agency period without making any drastic noise for the first time in years.

After a 2014-2015 season that began in disappointment, eventually flourished into beauty, and ended in a jumbled mixture of both, there were some obvious points to be addressed.

As the early offseason wore on, the Stars began looking at their core and what needed immediate attention. The painfully obvious points were the defense and goaltending. Neither had seen definite consistency throughout the season, and it was clear that if playoffs were the dream, improvements were a necessity.

The Dallas Stars goaltending department saw a sever drop-off from the 2013-2014 season. After coming up unsuccessful in multiple cases to find a competent backup goaltender, the Stars had to rely on starter Kari Lehtonen to carry the majority of the load. Lehtonen was successful for the most part in the 13-14 campaign and even helped lead the Stars to a playoff berth for the first time in over half a decade.

The 14-15 season was assumed to be a magical one until it fell apart at the seams swift and quickly. While the Stars did their part in enhancing their offensive department, the goaltending and defense suffered. Lehtonen dipped to his lowest career save percentage at .903 and a horrific goals against average of 2.94. He was the first to admit his mistakes this year though, and is excited to turn things around in 15-16.

With goaltending viewed as the primary issue, GM Jim Nill got to work early. On June 27, the second day of the NLH Draft, Nill found a way to deal his seventh round pick to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for goaltender Antti Niemi. He was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent just four days later, but Nill wasn’t about to let him walk away. Niemi signed with the Stars a mere two days later, officially creating a two-headed goalie monster for the Stars next year. Now with two veteran starting-caliber goaltenders to choose from, it is highly unlikely the Stars crease falters for a second straight year.

So now half the problem is fixed. But what happens in regards to the Dallas Stars defense? After a year of bad changes, slow rookie development, missed assignments, and easy goals given away, something must be done right?

Wrong. In the summer of 2014 after beefing up the offensive arsenal, Jim Nill stated that he had faith in the Stars young defense. That faith proved to be empty as the Stars defense suffered through one of it’s worst years.

But now is the time to take the training wheels off, at least as far as Nill is concerned. This past year is over, therefore it can be chopped up as a “test run.” But that first drive around the block is over, and there are no more excuses. Each of the eight players currently “considered” to be NHL material have seen what the league is like. They know how they need to play, and what they must do to help their team succeed.

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That being said, Nill is straying away from adding on another name from free agency or trade. He could be thinking that another name would simply cause a lot of confusion, therefore losing a gap of the season to gain total chemistry throughout the blue line. It’s a risky strategy, and even riskier considering that Nill is actually resting his trust in the current makeup of the defense.

But Jim Nill knows what the deal is. In the end, bringing another big name into the mix would only further complicate things.

Sure each player had their kinks, and it took longer than expected to get them worked out. But it’s only going to get better.

Next season, the Dallas Stars have seven confirmed returners in Trevor Daley, Alex Goligoski, Jason Demers, Jordie Benn, Jykri Jokipakka, Patrik Nemeth, and John Klingberg. Jamie Oleksiak will more than likely be joining this bunch, as the Stars currently own his negotiating rights as an RFA. So out of these eight, only two are considered true “veterans,” being Goligoski and Daley.

Everyone was quick to attack Daley’s play last season, and even call for dealing him because he was slacking towards the end of the year. His partial excuse here is the fact that his hip was messed up. He has a lot to prove this upcoming season in the midst of a few thriving young players hungry for ice time. But if his past play has proved anything, it is that he is a qualified defenseman with a scoring savvy.

Goligoski played the majority of the season with lingering injuries, so his big year is coming up. Low and behold, this is his final year under contract with Dallas. So there is a lot to prove on a set of fresh and healthy legs.

But the younglings need to step into their new roles as well. On the bright side, the Stars spent this past season wisely, giving multiple defenders chances at NHL time. So now they enter a new season with multiple players on the brink of full-time NHL contenders, and it is clear they have options.

Next: Kari Lehtonen Has One More Chance To Prove His Worth

So, do not be too quick to jump on Nill for not adding to the defense. When the numbers are examined further, it is clear that the goaltending was the main fault in the scheme, and that side of the puck has been fixed. He may just be pulling off another deceitful charade that pays off in dividends. Remember, the Stars will need some cap space in the near future as well when a few big names step up to the free agency plate.

If anything is certain at this point, it is that the Dallas Stars defense is right where it needs to be. At least until further notice.

Next: Dallas Stars Holding Out On FA Defender Is Perfectly Alright

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