Dallas Stars’ 2016-17 Rookie Class Was Perhaps The Best Ever
By Tom Dorsa
In searching for the few bright spots in a dark Dallas Stars season, I highlight the youth of the squad. The future is alive.
After a 2016-17 National Hockey League season that diminished the hopes of many Dallas Stars faithful, we’re little short on happy features and times. Sure, there’s a healthy Tyler Seguin, John Klingberg, and Jamie Benn to look forward to next year, but that still might not be enough.
We had a fun couple of individual moments, such as the hat tricks from Adam Cracknell and Antoine Roussel, or the wins that snapped long winning streaks of the Philadelphia Flyers or Washington Capitals – however, most of this season was spent in dread.
But I’ll raise this counterpoint that may be hard to see: the 2016-17 Dallas Stars had the best rookie class in the franchise’s history. Despite many of the players in question making their NHL debuts or earning a full time seat on the Stars bench came via the ravaging injuries suffered in Dallas, these select men surely earned their spot.
More from Blackout Dallas
- Dallas Stars Traverse City Tournament: Who had great performances?
- Grushnikov and Stankoven lead Dallas Stars to 6-3 win over Columbus
- Dallas Stars prospects look to wrap up tournament with a win
- Burn the tapes: Dallas Stars prospects lose 5-1 to Toronto Maple Leafs
- Dallas Stars look to continue success today against the Maple Leafs
The NHL defines a “rookie” as a player that has never played more than 25 regular season games in one campaign. This means the 2016-17 Dallas Stars featured Devin Shore, Remi Elie, Esa Lindell, Gemel Smith, Stephen Johns, Julius Honka, Jason Dickinson, and Justin Dowling as rookies, and boy, what a group that is.
Anyone from Cedar Park can tell you that these eight players can all be full-time NHLers in a heartbeat, and they displayed professionalism and dependability this season for the Stars.
This is every Dallas Stars rookie class since the 1993-94 move to the Lone Star State. We’re using games played, goals, assists, points, plus/minus, penalty minutes, and combined points per game for examples.
This rookie class ranks first in games played (286), combined points per game (2.31), second in assists, and third in total points amongst each rookie class since 1993-94. Plus, the only rookie classes with more goals feature a total of zero players that still suit up in Victory Green.
Although more than one of the rookies listed here may be elsewhere come training camp (either some other team or perhaps in the AHL), they’ll be performing exceptionally well in one aspect or another. All of the eight said players have their own specific role that makes them an asset for the Stars.
Dallas Stars
Devin Shore: forechecking, two-way center with 20-goal potential.
Remi Elie: speed, penalty killing winger that could land himself a top-six job. Perhaps a 15-goal player next season, depending on with whom he’s paired.
Gemel Smith: a center that can adapt to playing wing, physically small yet plays like he’s bigger than most, can forecheck and run the cycle well.
Jason Dickinson: the most well-rounded out of this rookie class, most likely a future Dallas Stars second-center. 25-30 goal potential if he’s healthy in the future, maybe 10-12 next year.
Stephen Johns: physically terrifying defenseman with underrated skating and offensive instincts. Under a Ken Hitchcock system, he could score 10 goals next year and lead the squad in hits.
Esa Lindell: widely regarded as a stay-at-home defenseman, pairs well with John Klingberg, could find some power play time next season as he possesses a lethal shot and good hands.
Julius Honka: former American Hockey League All-Star and first-round pick, hands for days, beautiful stretch pass, electric wrister. Could be 60-point defender in the near future.
Justin Dowling: prototypical bottom-six center, hoping to earn an NHL contract, former Texas Stars points leader, great in the face-off circle. Could be a 15/20 man in the National Hockey League.
Next: Stars Have Decisions To Make With These Free Agents
As you can see, the Stars have the right pieces in place to build around Benn and Seguin to reemerge as Stanley Cup contenders. However, this will be a busy off-season, so let’s see how things roll along.