The Dallas Stars have a mere four games left in their 2016-17 season. They are definitely trying to use each game to its fullest advantage considering all of the prospects they are calling up and putting in the lineup.
When the Dallas Stars were mathematically eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoff race on Monday evening, their sights immediately shifted.
Sure they had seen elimination coming for a little while, but once it was official, the offseason planning became imminent.
But before we can get to offseason coverage and speculation, there is still the remainder of the season that needs to be played. No matter how much they may want to skip out on the remaining games, the show must go on.
And that might eventually come up to hurt them. Since the elimination, there have been multiple injuries (some minor and some gruesome) to different Stars’ players that have ranged from day-to-day to out for the rest of the season and in need of immediate care.
Dallas Stars
At this point, it seems as though it will be a miracle if the Dallas Stars can front a full lineup in the final game of the year against the Colorado Avalanche on April 8. They are simply falling apart at the seams as the season tumbles to a close.
But these injuries have turned into opportunities, and it’s good to see that the Stars are cashing in on them. These hindrances have given Dallas a chance to use a mass of call-ups and give their younger prospects in the farm system plenty of time to play. At this point, why wouldn’t you give the young guys all the chances they can get?
With nothing left to play for but pride, the Dallas Stars are all of a sudden a much younger team. In last night’s 3-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, 10 of the Stars’ 18 skaters were not on the roster at this time last year. All 10 of them are young and developing players, excluding Adam Cracknell and Dan Hamhuis.
On Thursday, the Dallas Stars called up Julius Honka, one of their top-rated young defenders who has already made massive strides in his NHL time this year. A day later, they brought Gemel Smith and Justin Dowling back up for the first time since November. Jason Dickinson has also been up for a while now.
All of these Stars are getting valuable playing time. Even though the season’s aspirations are over, there is still time to improve and prepare for next season. That all starts with younger players stepping in and stepping up.
In last night’s game, Devin Shore had a goal and Remi Elie and Greg Pateryn each had an assist. These are just a few of the young and new guys that are already contributing for the Dallas Stars. The future looks bright, which can sometimes be hard to see considering the dark present. But it is still there nonetheless.
Next: Stars Should Keep Julius Honka Up For Good
Only four games remain in the Dallas Stars’ 2016-17 season, and it looks as though they are going to use each one to its fullest advantage. That’s a good sign for a team that needs all the good they can get.