The 2018 NHL Entry Draft is right around the corner, and the Dallas Stars are this year’s host. While the event itself is exciting as-is, the chance for the team to find the missing pieces to the line-up — through drafting or trading — is possibly the most exhilarating.
There’s no secret about the draft being a place of activity for NHL teams. Whether it’s picking first or the announcement of a big trade, the weekend is filled to the brim with interesting twists and turns.
Hopefully, this year will serve as an opportunity for the Dallas Stars to round out their lineup and find the pieces the need to be successful.
Up in the Air
A few big name players — notably Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza — prove to have their futures in Dallas as question marks. As two of the team’s centers, it’d be difficult to lose both, so it’s something the organization must plan around.
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Jim Nill has certainly started the conversation with No. 91 to figure out his new deal, which is expected to fall into the same salary range as Jamie Benn’s most recent contract. Of course, getting him to give the Stars a “hometown” type of discount would be ideal, but given his substantial free market appeal, don’t bank on it.
The Stars will be forced with dishing out a pretty penny to keep their star forward around.
Replacement Players
Although it’s not ideal, risk management is part of professional sports. The Stars might need to incorporate some moves that fall under this category just in case their next moves don’t quite pan out.
In the event they can’t find a way to keep Seguin and they choose to part ways with Spezza, new centers will be in high demand for Dallas. The draft is the perfect opportunity to find just that.
Of course, the focus will be on using their picks wisely; however, in the event Nill can concoct an ideal trade for a top center who has already proved himself in the league, parting ways with those prospects might be the right move.
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The Great Unknown
As it stands, the draft is anything but boring. Dallas will make moves that change the course of the organization whether they know it or not. It will just be that much more special since it’s in their home arena.