Dallas Stars Defense: What It Might Look Like
The Dallas Stars ranked 26th in goals allowed last season, with a horrendous total of 245. The Stars defense was so bad, that even with the second most goals scored in the NHL, Dallas still couldn’t even make the playoffs.
Part of that was on the goaltenders, and part of that was on the defense.
When GM Jim Nill traded a seventh round pick on June 27th to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for G Antti Niemi, he stated that Niemi and Kari Lehtonen would most likely split time in net, and that was that.
The defenseman situation, on the other hand, still needs to be figured out.
The amount of Dallas Stars defenseman is not the issue. As of now, the Stars have eight defenseman fighting for a spot heading into camp. Knowing that they can only dress six each game, it’s beyond crucial for Dallas to find the consistent six guys as soon as possible.
Who are the defenseman?
With 40 points in just 65 games during his rookie season in the NHL, there is no doubt that John Klingberg will be on the first defensive pair this upcoming season.
The Stars aren’t paying him an average of $4.25 million over the next seven seasons for no reason.
Last season’s rookie sensation will be very pivotal to the Stars this next season, and for many years to come.
Many Stars fans can’t stand the 27-year-old defenseman. Not only do they not appreciate his lack of scoring, with just 44 points in 180 NHL games, but his clumsy mistakes on defense (which seem to be very frequent) also irritate the fans in Victory Green (and rightfully so).
Jordie is a very interesting subject of discussion, because almost always is he compared to his brother. Obviously, he is not as good of a hockey player as Jamie is, but is it fair to compare him constantly to the Art Ross Trophy winner?
Don’t get me wrong, Jordie hasn’t given Stars fans really anything to cheer about in his time in Dallas.
But with all that said, I truly do believe Jordie is capable of being a decent third-line option on defense. In future years, when the young Dallas Stars defenseman develop and become experiences, that might not be the case anymore. But for now, I don’t think it would be horrible to keep Jordie Benn on the ice.
After acquiring Jason Demers from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for D Brenden Dillon, he scored five goals and notched on 17 assists for the Stars.
With a +3 plus/minus last season with the Stars, having Demers on the ice helped Dallas out a lot. He will definitely be one of the leaders on this Dallas Stars defense, but it will be interesting to see what line Demers will be put on.
His average total ice time was 19:26 with the Stars, compared to just 18:11 with the Sharks prior to the trade, which shows how important he has been on the blue line in Dallas.
To say the 5-11, 29-year-old plays a huge role in the Dallas Stars defensive core is an extreme understatement.
In 81 games last season, Goligoski scored four goals and had 32 assists. But the truly amazing statistic was how much time he spent on the ice.
With an average total ice time of 23:49, Goligoski provided so much for the Stars defense.
Stars fans, don’t expect this number to go down next season, either.
The 23-year-old Finnish Defenseman has recorded 10 points in 51 games in the National Hockey League.
While Jokipakka’s numbers are nowhere near where Stars fans, as well as himself, want them to be, he has an extremely promising future.
With Trevor Daley being shipped to the Chicago Blackhawks after 11 seasons with the Dallas Stars, Jokipakka now has an opportunity to get more time on the ice, and an increase in chances to prove himself.
The Dallas Stars resigned Oleksiak to a one-year deal on July 9th, giving him one more chance to prove his worthiness as an NHL defenseman.
Oleksiak had eye-catching numbers down with the Texas Stars in the AHL during the 2012-2013 season, scoring six times and providing 27 assists.
But in 59 career NHL appearances, Oleksiak has just 10 points, and a -8 plus/minus. However, like several Dallas Stars defenseman, Oleksiak is very young, and at 22-years-old, he is still gaining experience as he steps on the ice each night.
Similar to Jokipakka, Patrik Nemeth also has an opportunity to get more playing time and experience with the departure of Trevor Daley.
The Dallas Stars’ second round pick in the 2010 NHL Draft must capitalize on this opportunity if he wants to stay in Dallas.
The defenseman has only tallied three career points in the NHL thus far, but having played in only 30 career games, and being just 23 years of age, Nemeth still has time to show what he can do.
The 23-year-old, who the Dallas Stars acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks on July 10th as part of the Patrick Sharp trade, had 21 points (4 goals, 17 assists) in his debut season in the AHL with the Rockford Icehogs. His +30 plus/minus rating was tied for first in the entire league.
Johns spent four college seasons at Notre Dame, scoring 15 times and adding on 42 helpers in a total of 164 games.
Immediately after Johns was sent to Dallas, one columnist for the Blackhawks, Mark Lazerus, described how shocked he was that the Hawks let Johns go.
“I saw him playing an everyday role this season,” Lazerus said, “and many seasons to come.”
If Johns has the skill to play alongside the other current Chicago Blackhawks defenseman, then he sure is capable of making the final six for the Dallas Stars.
Last season, the Stars couldn’t really decide on who their every-night guys were going to be, and constantly switched up the defensive pairs. If Dallas wants to improve their horrid defensive rank, finding consistent, solid defenseman is the first step.
Each and every defenseman on this hockey team needs to step up, not only to solidify their spot on the ice, but to also help this team succeed. The Dallas Stars have more than enough power on offense, and if the blue line situation is cleared up, they can really do something special in years to come.
Leave your thoughts on the Stars defense, below!
Opening Night, on October 8th, will be here before we know it!
Next: Dallas Stars Re-Sign Jamie Oleksiak To One Year Deal
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