Dallas Stars: Three Reasons They Miss The 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs

2. Jim Montgomery’s System Doesn’t Translate Well

The Dallas Stars are putting Jim Montgomery in a challenging position going into the 2018-19 season.

While he’s a young coach with no experience behind an NHL bench, he brings a lot of good philosophies to a team and has a winning culture. With that being said, the Stars are hoping that he solves their coaching problem for at least the next few years.

But there’s also an expectation to win. Dallas has spent the past few years trying to get things right with the bulk of talent in their lineup entering into its prime. The Stars have been yearning for success and, at the very least, a playoff spot. And while it may not be stated outright, they are counting on Montgomery achieving those things in his first year behind the bench.

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And that’s where the questions come in. Is Jim Montgomery ready to coach in an NHL lifestyle and can his unique system work in the NHL? Or will the Stars once again fail to meet the cutoff mark and fall short of the postseason for a third straight year?

The majority belief is that Montgomery’s system will work. He knows how to get the most out of his players and build a strong sense of purpose and culture in the locker room. In addition, he’s also dedicated to his system and wants each player to fit in as best as possible.

But there’s always a chance that things don’t work out, and that’s where the Stars could end up getting hurt. They are relying on this system to get them back to the playoffs, and that might end up becoming more of a challenge than some think.

Now, Montgomery’s system is a unique one that NHL teams won’t necessarily be able to plan for considering they don’t have much to go off of at the moment. He likes to focus on the little details, play a relentless style centered on puck pressure, and focus on the little details while giving consistent energy throughout. It’s an up-tempo style that relies on aggression and acting on impulse, which could succeed in the league.

But nothing is guaranteed. There’s a chance that the competition picks up on the Stars’ style and finds a way to shut it down. There’s also a chance that the Stars players struggle with getting every aspect of play nailed down.

They are little things and don’t seem like the biggest worries, but a new coach always brings about a sense of uncertainty until their teams hit the ice. Only then will you know if he is the right fit for the team.

The Stars are counting on Montgomery being that fit.