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Dallas Stars’ 2016-17 Position By Position

By Allison Scott

May 7, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (3), Stars defenseman Johnny Oduya (47), St. Louis Blues center Paul Stastny (26), and Blues center David Backes (42) watch the puck during the third period in game five of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Blues won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (3), Stars defenseman Johnny Oduya (47), St. Louis Blues center Paul Stastny (26), and Blues center David Backes (42) watch the puck during the third period in game five of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Blues won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Stars will sport a somewhat different lineup this coming season. What does it look like in each section of the ice?

The Dallas Stars will be taking their first face-off of the 2016-17 NHL season in a few months and general manager Jim Nill has managed to make some large decisions thus far this offseason.

However, it’s never certain how things will turn out until the season actually starts and the new pieces of the team work within the system. The Dallas Stars’ place in the standings come season’s end will be determined by how well they work and blend into the 2015-16 season’s most successful team of the Central Division.

Goaltending

Who will be in the blue paint this season and beyond for the Dallas Stars has been weighing heavily on the shoulders of Nill and company. Although Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi did well enough last regular season, their postseason performances were underwhelming.

Despite making the playoffs with home ice advantage, the Stars didn’t accomplish what they set out to. While that’s by no means the fault of the net minders alone, they were outplayed by then St. Louis Blues goaltender Brian Elliott who stole the show in the second round.

Dallas’ pursuit of Tampa Bay’s Ben Bishop has lost its fuel in recent weeks with limited, if any, buzz about the subject in the media. Although these kinds of trades can take some time considering the gravity of the pieces being moved, it’s not a good sign that neither side has come out and said anything recently.

Defense

The Dallas Stars lost a few defensemen over the course of the last year, including two to free agency at the beginning of this month. While that might seem like a bad thing, it actually proves their belief in the players they already have.

Jordie Benn re-signed with the Dallas Stars and Nill was able to sign Dan Hamhuis as a veteran presence on the blue line. Dallas also came to terms with Jamie Oleksiak in the days since July 1st.

Overall, the Stars’ defense isn’t nearly the concern it was a few years ago. They have the talent and youth that are Stephen Johns and John Klingberg, with the experience of Johnny Oduya and Jordie Benn.

If Hamhuis, however, can’t assimilate to the Dallas Stars’ system it could spell problems on defense, but Nill has more than enough options on the Texas Stars’ roster to fill any voids.

Forwards

Forwards are easily the best position at the Dallas Stars’ disposal and with names like Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn and Jason Spezza it’s easy to see why.

Those names alone would be the recipe for a great group of forwards, but when you add Patrick Sharp, Cody Eakin, Antoine Roussel, Radek Faksa and more to the group, it’s almost unfair.

Then you add in the skaters in Cedar Park who will most likely be joining the NHL team. It will most likely be Brett Ritchie and Curtis McKenzie, but in the event of an injury or other absence other players could find themselves in victory green sooner than anticipated.

must read: Jamie Benn's Eight Greatest Moments As A Star

The Stars can hope and expect similar or better results from their forwards this season and based on talent alone should be completely fine.

Looking Forward

The Stars aren’t the team they once were and it’s safe to say they’re out of their rebuild. That means merely making the playoffs isn’t the goal, winning the Stanley Cup is.

Next: Dallas Stars Will Get Money's Worth in Jamie Benn's New Deal

With the the line-up at their disposal, the Dallas Stars should have success for years to come. And they should be in good shape for the upcoming season, as long as the aforementioned positions and players find ways to become cohesive members of the team.

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