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Dallas Stars: Assessing Their Fourth Line Options For Opening Night

By Josh Clark

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 08: Dallas Stars defenseman Stephen Johns (28), Dallas Stars left wing Remi Elie (40), and Dallas Stars right wing Brett Ritchie (25) celebrate a Johns goal in the 2nd period during an NHL hockey game between the Dallas Stars and the Chicago Blackhawks on March 08, 2018, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo By Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 08: Dallas Stars defenseman Stephen Johns (28), Dallas Stars left wing Remi Elie (40), and Dallas Stars right wing Brett Ritchie (25) celebrate a Johns goal in the 2nd period during an NHL hockey game between the Dallas Stars and the Chicago Blackhawks on March 08, 2018, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo By Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 03: Gemel Smith #46 of the Dallas Stars skates with the puck against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on April 3, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Gemel Smith
SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 03: Gemel Smith #46 of the Dallas Stars skates with the puck against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on April 3, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Gemel Smith /

3. Gemel Smith

Before the 2018 summer, it had been a long time since the Dallas Stars had even flirted with the process of arbitration with any of their restricted free agents.

But this offseason rid the Stars of that luxury when Devin Shore, Mattias Janmark, and Gemel Smith filed for salary arbitration. Nill and the Stars ended up getting deals done with Shore and Janmark before their respective hearings, but Smith’s case never got squared away.

Dallas went to an arbitration hearing with the young forward and came out with a mediated contract: a one-year, one-way deal worth $720K. In other words, Smith got the one-way deal he wanted, but didn’t necessarily reach the salary level he was hoping for.

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    • This whole case boiled down to the fact that Smith wanted more than the Dallas Stars were willing to offer.

    It’s been an interesting past two years for Smith with the Stars. After making his debut and playing in 17 games in 2016-17, Smith saw his role expand a bit more in 2017-18. But it still wasn’t a full-time gig. The 24-year-old played in 46 games under the supervision of Ken Hitchcock, putting up six goals and 11 points in a mere 9:26 of average ice time.

    As a result, the contract disputes arose as Smith entered restricted free agency.

    And with a one-year deal to work with, it’s now up to Smith to prove himself worthy of a longer and higher-paying deal. From what we’ve seen, he has the tools to do just that.

    Smith’s game thrives on speed and aggression. He can get up and down the ice quickly, provide a spark on offense by driving to the net as well as a simple, smart play in the defensive zone. In his first two years, he’s shown an ability to skate with any number of line mates and still produce. He also knows how to play both center and wing. Watching Smith play can be exciting and even energizing at times.

    But we haven’t gotten a clear, consistent, and defined look at him just yet. That could finally change with a new season and system.

    Smith seems to be a great fit for Montgomery’s style of play and should slot into the lineup quite often. And if he can get out to a fast start, there may even be space for him to move up and shift throughout the lineup.

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    If there’s a fringe player that I think will make the opening night roster by taking up the last spot, I think it’s Smith. It’s an important year for him to finally prove his value as a regular option in the starting lineup and in the bottom six.

    2018-19 could finally be his time to shine. It will be up to him to keep the fire burning.

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