The month of September means that the return of professional hockey is fast approaching. With that also comes the return of fantasy sports. So, which Dallas Stars might help out your fantasy hockey team this season?
The Dallas Stars are not the most prominent professional sports team in the city of Dallas.
Anyone that has a firm knowledge of the sporting world knows that the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL dominate Big D. Football is a way of life in Dallas as well as everything that comes with it. That includes fantasy football.
As the most popular fantasy sport, it’s hard not to find your way into a league, regardless of your knowledge about the game. You might end up in one or you might end up in ten different leagues by the time the season kicks off, giving you a chance to engrain yourself in the football season as a whole while competing for bragging rights.
For hockey fans, there’s another way to go. That’s fantasy hockey.
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Now, there’s a chance you may have never played fantasy hockey before. It’s not the most popular fantasy sport to partake in. And as a Dallas sports fan, your dedication likely lies in other areas when it comes to fantasy.
But yes, there is such a thing as fantasy hockey. And yes, it’s becoming more popular with each passing year. If you’re all for trying new things, it just might be something you get into, especially as a Dallas Stars fan. That’s because the Stars could very well play a big role in the fantasy hockey world this season.
The 2018-19 NHL season is rapidly approaching. With the month of September finally here and the dog days of summer disappearing into the distance, hockey is almost back. As a result, fantasy hockey is close to a return.
But before you go and set up a league (whether for serious play or just for the heck of it with friends who don’t even know the sport), you need to know who to draft for your team. Which players could be superstars or difference-makers and carry your squad to victory? Are there any Dallas Stars that might make good additions?
The answer to that question is a resounding yes.
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Though the Stars have a running track record of falling well short of expectations over the past few years, it doesn’t discount the immense amount of talent that they possess on their roster. Both superstars and role players help make up the Dallas lineup, giving them a serious dose of potential and promise.
So, which ones should you draft for your fantasy team (assuming you play fantasy hockey)? Let’s take a look.
First round obvious choices
The first round is where you are supposed to secure your top-tier talent. And in the hunt for top-tier talent, Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn are two obvious choices.
Puck Prose
They make up two-thirds of the Stars’ top line, play on special teams, and put up impressive numbers each season. And with Seguin entering a contract year, he will be looking to put on his best showing.
If either of these players are on the board in round one, it’d be hard not to pick one of them.
Second round possibilities
John Klingberg and Alexander Radulov are the two Dallas Stars that come to mind when talking about second round talent. Both are elite players in their own sense and with a new head coach and style, both should be producing at a consistent level once again in 2018-19.
Your team will greatly benefit from their presence in your lineup. That much is certain.
Later round probables
By the time the later rounds come along, a good majority of the elite talent will likely be off the board. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find quality assets for your team.
Radek Faksa, Esa Lindell, Valeri Nichushkin, and Blake Comeau might be solid choices in the later rounds. Each one will play a relatively large role for the Stars going forward and should turn in quality performances in 2018-19.
Dark horse candidates
Defenseman Miro Heiskanen could be a solid addition to your fantasy squad, but it’s still to be determined. From his play overseas, he seems like a franchise defenseman for the Dallas Stars. But at the age of 19 and with no NHL play under his belt yet, there’s no guarantee that he will continue his show of excellence in the year ahead. But he should be a great pickup in the later rounds that could end up having a massive payoff.
Julius Honka and Jason Spezza had off years in 2017-18 and will enter this season with something to prove. Both could have big years and could be worth a draft pick. But there’s no certainty as to how their years will pan out in a new scheme.
There are plenty of Stars players that could give your team a boost this season as you fight for fantasy glory. So, go ahead and try out fantasy hockey if you haven’t already.
You just might get a kick out of it.