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Dallas Stars Should Not Let Their Players Compete In IIHF

By Sophia Horst

Feb 18, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (3) skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Lightning 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (3) skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Lightning 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) will start the 2017 Ice Hockey World Championship today, May 5th. The Dallas Stars are sending Antoine Roussel, John Klingberg, Julius Honka, and Valeri Nichushkin to play for their respective home countries.

The Dallas Stars news has been all about the IIHF World Championship. While it seems like something exciting to talk about since the Stars aren’t in the playoffs, The World Championship just isn’t worth it for the Stars’ Players.

Injury Risks

Did the Dallas Stars completely forget the beginning of the 2016-2017 season? It was awful! The 2016 World Cup of Hockey was terrible for Stars who went. Seguin, Faksa, and Hemsky were all banged up playing for their teams. Why is Dallas risking their players’ health again?

Unfortunately, Klingberg has already gotten injured in the World Championship tournament. He lost two front teeth after being crosschecked. This happened in the IIHF’s pre-tournament game. Yes, that’s correct, it was for nothing. He’s still expected to play in the tournament for his home country of Sweden.

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Roussel should be extremely careful playing for France. If he gets injured, Roussel could likely be unprotected for the upcoming Expansion Draft.

From May 5th to May 21st, all Stars fans should hold their breath until this tournament is over.

What’s the Point?

None of the players in the NHL playoffs can even play. It’s going to be as watchable as hockey in the 2018 Olympics will be. No team is sending their best players even if they’re available. It just screams boring compared to the ongoing NHL Playoffs.

Let’s stop pretending like today will be an exciting moment for these four Stars players when most of us will be watching the Nashville Predators try to upset the St. Louis Blues tonight.

Next: Dallas Stars Expansion Draft Decision: Roussel or Eakin

Who Should Play?

This tournament should only be for international players who aren’t good enough to be in the NHL. Let Honka and Nichushkin play if the Dallas Stars have to send someone but leave Roussel and Klingberg in Dallas. Klingberg and Roussel serve too big of a role in Dallas to risk being injured. Obviously a Stanley Cup, where the best players in the world compete, is more important than this World Championship full of B-list hockey players.

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