The Dallas Stars lost defenseman Patrik Nemeth to waivers this week, meaning they lost the opportunity to get a return on the investment they’ve put into him during his tenure with the team.
Patrik Nemeth was far from a staple in the Dallas Stars locker room, but they still didn’t want to lose him for nothing. Unfortunately, due to the way waivers, work they did. The Colorado Avalanche claimed the Swedish defender, putting a dent in Dallas’ plans.
While it’s not tragic that a player who spent the vast majority of last season in a suit eating popcorn in the press box, it’s still tough to lose an asset for a few reasons.
Depth at Defense
The Stars were an offense first team for a while, and when they realized that isn’t the recipe for success, they began drafting a lot of blue liners. As a result, they ended up with a boat load of defenders and a lot of uncertainty in regards to what exactly to do with them.
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Jim Nill tried to make the best of the situation – he traded away players like Jordie Benn and Jyrki Jokipakka – but he was never truly able to piece together the right group of young defenders. Hopefully, the Stars’ depth won’t falter because of the loss of Nemeth, but it definitely took a hit with his departure.
Leadership in AHL
The entire purpose of waivers is to allow players to transition back and forth from the AHL to the NHL. This allows for players who meet a certain number of requirements like games played to gain NHL experience without constraining teams to a long-term commitment.
Nemeth knew the process well and had a decent tenure in the NHL. He could’ve been a great leader for the Texas Stars, especially in how to overcome disappointment and continue working to improve.
That would’ve been extremely valuable for the players who find themselves working incredibly hard, but seeing little to no results. Plus, his presence would’ve allowed for a player like Curtis McKenzie to feel more comfortable back in the AHL after having spent some time in Dallas.
Best for Nemeth
The highlight of this whole transaction is that this move truly benefits Nemeth and his future as an NHL player. He wasn’t getting ample time to prove himself with the Stars, and it seems like he never truly found his fit on the team.
While that’s unfortunately part of the game, it is still disappointing when things don’t work out. Nemeth had moments when he looked like he could become a solid defenseman for Dallas, but they weren’t consistent enough – especially considering his various injuries – to earn him a spot as a Stars staple.
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Hopefully, he’ll succeed and earn some ice time for the Avalanche. Preferably his best nights won’t be against the Stars, though.