Dallas Stars: Going All In For Big Names Makes For Plenty Of Fun
As free agency news buzzes and Twitter fills with rumors and theories of the perfect trade, it’s a crazy time in the hockey world. The Dallas Stars are, of course, no exception.
If you haven’t been living under a rock, you’re surely aware of the buzz surrounding Erik Karlsson and his nearly imminent move from Ottawa. The Dallas Stars are supposedly one of the interested teams. And after losing John Tavares to Toronto, it’s creating quite a fun atmosphere.
What the Doctor Ordered
After seasons of missing the playoffs and inconsistent play with a revolving door of coaches and players alike, it’s no surprise that fans are excited about the possibility of adding Karlsson to the Stars lineup. He’s a powerhouse of offensive defenseman talent that any team would be lucky to have.
Even if the Stars don’t end up acquiring him, the pure interest is just what this team needs. Him considering Dallas puts the team on a pedestal of excellence that a team with the Stars’ recent history could usually only hope for.
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Magnet Effect
And if they do land Karlsson, that’s likely only the tip of the iceberg. The tendency of players to flock to teams with a good reputation and likelihood of success is significantly greater when big names take the leap of faith.
It’s logical to connect the dots between Jamie Benn re-signing in Dallas and Jason Spezza electing to move to Texas with the conversations Dallas was able to have with Tavares and, now, Karlsson. Players talk and know what organizations are good and which are the ones to avoid if given the chance.
Dallas being on the former portion of that list speaks volumes to what they’ve been able to do over the last few years despite limited success on the ice.
Next: The Clock is Ticking for Stars on Karlsson Deal
Bottom Line
Interest, however, isn’t in print. If the Stars can build a team that achieves something impressive — like making a deep playoff run — it will likely help to build the team into something even greater. On the other hand, failing to make the playoffs during the 2018-19 season might be enough to deter some players from even talking to the Stars. No pressure.