Dallas Stars: What to Expect After Whirlwind Draft Weekend

Two of the most talked-about events of the offseason are officially complete. With Vegas’ expansion draft solidified and the 2017 entry draft in the books, the Dallas Stars have seen some excitement already and are lined up for more to come.

Although the Dallas Stars, as predicted, lost Cody Eakin to the Golden Knights, the rest of the weekend provided some sweet to make up for the bitter. The Stars came away real winners after even the first few rounds of the draft and made some far-sighted decisions that we fans will hopefully appreciate for years to come.

It feels like it’s been a whirlwind weekend, and it for sure has- but there are still a solid three months until Hocktober is upon us. Whether the Stars will mirror their heavy-hitting draft weekend for the rest of the season is yet to be seen.

However, here are the factors they are working with as we head into high-traffic trade and signing time. Nill had stated that the team is ready to start preliminary conversations with its potential UFAs to determine where the Stars will negotiate and where they will stay silent.

The Dallas Stars have already checked off many key positions on their shopping list with this weekend’s draft. Miro Heiskanen (D) and Jake Oettinger (G) are both potentially foundational players that Dallas will be able to count on, but probably not for at least another season or so.

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With the Stars’ immediate goalie needs filled by Ben Bishop‘s signing, that leaves defense (particularly left-shooting) and wing positions on the Stars’ want list. Nill explained that he will be speaking with the Stars’ UFAs ( Patrick Sharp and Ales Hemsky) before making any real decisions about shopping, but that he’s going to above all be smart with his plays this offseason.

And Nill, of course, is known for his show-stopping off-season moves. Tyler Seguin, Jason Spezza, and Patrick Sharp and Stephen Johns are all still here to prove it. It’s not clear what he’ll do this offseason to follow those deals up; but GMs around the league have already begun making some gutsy moves that could affect the Stars right in their own Central Division.

The Blackhawks have made some substantial moves, including moving last-season rookie wonder Artemi Panarin out to Columbus in exchange for the return of Brandon Saad, and also sending Niklas Hjalmarsson to Arizona for better fits within cap space.

And then Ken Hitchcock’s old Blues team has brought in Brayden Schenn, giving up this year’s first round pick and another conditional first rounder within the next two years.

So the Central GMs are growing bolder and are not afraid to switch things up in a big way. With Nill’s reputation, I wouldn’t expect any less of him either. He won’t be looking to compete with the moves of these other teams, but just to make ones that will put the Stars ahead of the ever-changing competition.

While trades are less cumbersome and come with less financial baggage than hunting for free agents usually does, we can’t be totally sure of what’s in store for us until Nill decides who to resign, and who to let go.

And with the Stars’ potential UFAs all no strangers to injury and recovery, we could see the Stars trying to engage in a little out with the old, in with the new. At the same time, players like Sharp and Hemsky have been dependable and from some perspectives, have earned their keep.

Next: Sharp And Hemsky Should Return To Stars If Healthy

Who do you think the Dallas Stars will negotiate new contracts with, and who do you think they’ll let go? Let us know in the comments, and as always, in Nill we trust.

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