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Dallas Stars Chances Of Returning To Playoffs In 2015-2016

By Josh Clark |

The Dallas Stars will be one of the most interesting teams to watch once the 2015-2016 NHL season kicks off. After another eventful, to say the least, offseason that included adding three big names to their roster through trade and free agency, the Stars seem to have their sights locked on winning now.

Rewind to 2013-2014. The Dallas Stars were rolling in from another losing season in the 2012-2013 shortened year, and had just undergone a rebirth in the offseason. After firing former Star Joe Nieuwendyk  from the general manager position and bringing in Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill, it looked as though the six-year playoff drought would be tacking on a seventh year after 13-14.

But instead, Nill had different plans. By bringing in Tyler Seguin through a trade that to this current day is referred to as the Boston Bruins’ worst trade ever, Nill gave upcoming captain Jamie Benn a perfect compliment on the first line. With a great mix of youthful talent on the front lines and veterans holding up the back, the Stars strung together an impressive season in a division where they were expected to be severely outmanned.

The Dallas Stars qualified for the NHL postseason in game 81, successfully ending the drought and imbuing hope into the city of Dallas once more. Though they would fall in six games to the Pacific Division champion Anaheim Ducks, the Stars showed that they knew how to fight and run with the best of them.

The 2014 offseason approached, and the Dallas Stars seemed to be “the destination.” Picking up Jason Spezza, Ales Hemsky, and Patrick Eaves had many believing that the Dallas Stars were going to shock the world and begin a run for the Stanley Cup.

While Benn and Seguin had career years once again, the remainder of the team saw its fair share of difficulties. In the end, the Stars shocked everyone for a second year straight. The only difference is instead of being a positive shock in 2014, the Stars gave off negative vibes in 2015.

So this offseason seemed to be another critical one for Jim Nill as he looks to get his team back to the postseason. Even if no one else does their job in the organization, Nill always finds a way to get his done and then some. Nill snagged veteran goaltender Antti Niemi, sniper forward Patrick Sharp, and stay-at-home defenseman Johnny Oduya in a span of 18 days. All three of these players have at least one Stanley Cup on their resume. This is definitely a plus considering only three players on the team have ever experienced the unbelievable feeling, being Tyler Seguin and Alex Goligoski, and Travis Moen.

Now with all of their bases seemingly covered, the Dallas Stars are staring down a season full of expectations. Will they capitalize?

Bleacher Report put out an article immediately after the Blackhawks clenched the Stanley Cup back in June, giving their odds for each team to win the Cup in 2015-2016. The Stars were pinned at 30-to-1 odds. After the offseason they had, I feel that may be a tad higher. But I could be wrong.

At first glance, it would seem that the Dallas Stars have one of the best lineups in the NHL and will have no trouble at completing a long playoff run this year. But, these assumptions must be approached with caution, as Stars fans know from last preseason’s hype that ended in a train wreck.

So, it’s time to let your voice be heard. Here is a poll regarding the Stars chances of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the upcoming season. Make sure to cast your vote on whether a postseason berth is in the near future, or if the Stars will once again not be able to live up to their preseason hype. Apologies to all who are using the mobile app that does not support our poll system yet. But we encourage you to find us through social media or online and cast your vote there!

Next: Which Three Dallas Stars Need To Step Up This Season?

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