Dallas Stars: Examining Their Chances At A Stanley Cup Run
By Josh Clark
After a magnificent offseason, the Dallas Stars look poised to have a major bounce-back year. But will it end with them going the distance and winning their second Stanley Cup? Only time will tell.
In exactly one month, the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights will be duking it out at the American Airlines Center. How amazing is that?
It’s been a long haul since April 8, but time seems to be moving quicker as we approach opening night. That’s a good sign for hockey fans everywhere. It’s especially good for Dallas Stars fans.
That’s because of the immeasurable amount of excitement surrounding the team as they enter the 2017-18 season.
After a disastrous 2016-17 season that ended in one of the worst seasons in franchise history, the Stars have rebounded in a big way. GM Jim Nill took the offseason by the reins and secured some of the best available talent throughout the league. He upgraded every position and gave Dallas a completely different look for the 2017-18 season.
Dallas Stars
These moves could take the Stars in one of many directions. But the question on everyone’s minds is in regards to whether it will take Dallas to the Stanley Cup Final?
The diehard Stars fans whose sense of reason are saying it’s a shoo-in. Some critics say that a first round exit or missing the playoffs entirely sounds more reasonable. And everyone else is somewhere in between.
So is this going to be the year? That’s a difficult question to answer.
When the season begins, all 31 teams arguably have a claim to fame. Each team has a strong point that they cling to and use as their defense in any debate that may come up. So, in some cases, the Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins each have a shot at winning the Cup.
Vegas and the odds calculator have a very different say in the matter, but it’s true to an extent. The NHL is known for its unpredictability, and just about any team can make the leap from the bottom of the pile to the top in one season. That’s what makes it fun.
But do the Dallas Stars have what it takes to go the distance this season and claim their second Cup in time for their 25th anniversary celebration?
What is already known and accepted is that Dallas should be a much better team than they were last year. As long as the team buys in to new head coach Ken Hitchcock, they should be alright.
Ben Bishop will help revitalize the goaltending; Marc Methot will help lead a young but more confident blue line; Alexander Radulov and Martin Hanzal should grow the Stars both on offense and special teams; and finally, a Ken Hitchcock system should round out and effectively balance the team.
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In every aspect of “simulations on paper,” the Stars should be flying high this season. But that’s not proven until the season begins rolling.
Once they get into the season, however, any number of things could happen. Injuries practically killed the Stars last season. Will they make another appearance (knock on wood)? There’s no way of knowing. There’s also no way of knowing whether the Stars will mesh well and produce as a unit.
The competition looks pretty stacked this season as well. The Dallas Stars’ trek through the Central Division will definitely not be a cakewalk (although it never is), and they will need all the firepower they can get.
Let’s say that they get to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Then what? A majority of the team has either never played in a Stanley Cup Playoff game or never been past the second round of the postseason. Will their inexperience harm them in any way? Or will the veterans help balance it out with their presence?
This is a difficult question to ask, especially for diehard fans who want to believe in nothing other than a Dallas 2018 Stanley Cup Champions banner. But while it is fun to live on cloud nine, realism always has to be factored in.
The Dallas Stars have a lot on their plate this season, and that has created some lofty expectations. You should definitely be ready to cheer for their successes, but don’t berate them for any potential stumbles. This is the first year of a new era in Dallas hockey, and if the first run isn’t perfect, that is no grounds to throw your hands up in disbelief.
This team will be talented, no doubt. This team will also be exciting to watch. But if your head is solely focused on “Lord Stanley or bust,” it might be best to take a reality check. It will not only help you, but also help the team.
The 2017-18 season could go any number of ways for the Dallas Stars, and that’s exciting. They have a full arsenal never before seen by any NHL fan. The fact that we get to experience it firsthand is entertaining enough.
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There is potential to make a serious run for the Final, but will they be able to capitalize on it? Only time and their play on the ice will tell. Until then, keep your head high and your voice loud. It’s going to be a fun year.