Dallas Stars: Early Season Injuries Bringing Young Stars Into Spotlight
By Josh Clark
The Dallas Stars have been dealt an unnatural amount of injuries throughout the first half of their 2018-19 season. But, through their plight, a new era of Stars are embracing the challenge. As a result, it’s important to realize just what is going on within the franchise right now.
A difficult decision had to be made following the Dallas Stars‘ 6-2 win over the New York Islanders back on Nov. 18, and it revolved around a puck.
Throughout the offensive onslaught that saw four different Stars score goals, Roope Hintz scored on a laser from the left circle. The goal came off of a perfectly-timed assist by Jason Spezza, who had just gained possession of the puck in the corner before dishing it to the 22-year-old for the Stars’ second goal of the game.
And that’s where the debate ensued. While the goal had been the first career NHL tally for the rookie Hintz, it also happened to hold the 900th career point for the 35-year-old Spezza. So, who gets to keep the puck to celebrate the milestone?
The decision ended up being made to let Hintz take it home considering “a first goal” trumps most everything else. It was an unfortunately-timed occurrence, but the two players took a picture (the one attached to this article) with the puck, officially enshrining it forever.
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I thought that was pretty neat, but I also noticed that it was significant in more ways than one. That’s because, whether you have noticed it yet or not, the Dallas Stars are currently in the midst of a “changing of the guard.”
Now, what do I mean by that? Simply put, a new era of Stars is currently stepping into the spotlight and ushering in the future.
Hintz’s first goal was likely the first of many to come in his young NHL career. Though he was reassigned to the AHL last week for the second time this season, his two goals and three points in 14 NHL games this season cannot be overlooked. Hintz earned a spot in the opening night lineup using an impressive training camp and preseason showing. As a result, the 2015 second-round draft pick is off and running in his NHL career.
His mixture of speed and goal-scoring ability as well as his face-off skills make him an intriguing piece of the Stars’ offensive future.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg, and that’s why this is such a critical and special time for the Dallas Stars organization.
Through 30 games this season, the Stars are 16-11-3. Their 35 points have them sitting in the first wild card spot in the Western Conference and within striking distance of first place in the Central division. The way that Dallas has been forced to get here, though, is the most impressive part.
Over the first two months of the regular season, the Dallas Stars have been dealt an unnatural and unlucky number of injuries. While NHL teams typically deal with a handful of injuries spread out through a regular season, the Stars have been forced to dig in from game one. Different starters have been out of the lineup throughout the year, including but not limited to Alexander Radulov, Martin Hanzal, John Klingberg, Stephen Johns, Connor Carrick, Marc Methot, and Ben Bishop.
To put it into perspective, the Stars have been running without four of their usual top-six defenders for the past month.
These injuries have required a lot of perseverance and determination to work through as the team itself endures a new era with new coaches and schemes. But, it’s also required young players to step up and help in keeping the team afloat.
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And so far, they have done a respectable job.
“It’s very important because injuries are a part of the game and they will happen throughout the whole season, right?,” said Stars forward Radek Faksa about the play of the young players. “The tough times will come, and when we need them we know that we have good players to back up, too.”
Faksa is only 24, but has been an established NHL starter since the 2015-16 season. He went through the same process that the young Stars are currently enduring on his way to claiming a full-time spot.
On offense, young players like Hintz, Jason Dickinson, and Denis Gurianov have been given chances to make an impact in the NHL this year. Even players like Devin Shore, who have been in the NHL for two seasons, are taking the reins and getting out to hot starts in the absence of big-name starters.
On defense, it’s Gavin Bayreuther, Ben Gleason, Dillon Heatherington, and Miro Heiskanen earning their stripes. Bayreuther, Gleason, and Heatherington were called up from the AHL at different points through the first two months and found ways to make quick impacts.
“That’s why we have them in the minors,” said Stars defenseman Roman Polak. “They prove themselves that they are ready no matter what because it’s tough. I’ve been there in the same situation where you get called up one day and you’re playing in the big names. For some of them, it’s their first game in the NHL and they have done a pretty great job so far. That’s good to see for a young guy. They are more confident and they look like they fit right away, so it’s good for them.”
And then there’s 19-year-old Miro Heiskanen. In the absence of John Klingberg, the third overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft has been asked to step up in a big way in his rookie season. As a result, he has five goals and 15 points, which puts him fifth on the team. He is playing special teams minutes, being cycled throughout the lineup, and is averaging 23:00 of ice time per game. Those stressful situations are unheard of for a rookie. But Heiskanen isn’t being deterred by any of it.
“He’s great,” Polak said of the young defender. “He’s a smart player and even when he got here in training camp, you can tell right away that he’s going to be here and one day he is going to be a great defenseman. The way he reads, he’s got a hockey IQ, he reads the game pretty well and skates effortless. If you don’t have to focus on your skating and you can just go, you can focus on different things. That’s what he does and he’s keeping it pretty simple. He does what needs to be done.”
These impressive showings by rookies and other young players are not only helping keep the Dallas Stars in the playoff race, but also pushing them forward.
Jason Dickinson has set career-highs in just about every important statistical category this year. Devin Shore is on pace for his best season at the NHL level. Denis Gurianov only played in two games but scored his first NHL goal and is brimming with confidence in the AHL. Bayreuther is currently one of the Stars’ best offensive assets on the blue line and has earned a spot in the starting lineup after being called up three weeks ago to make his debut. The list goes on and on.
“Obviously, it’s tough times, but it’s a big chance for them,” said Stars defenseman Esa Lindell. “I think it’s bringing the team together more and more and the confidence. To see that there’s not a test that our 23 guys on the roster can’t face and they can play here and the guys in Austin, too. They are hungry and want this chance and now that they have had it, I think they have used it well.”
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Lindell was a rookie himself just two seasons ago, but has since become a staple in the Dallas Stars scheme. For a 24-year-old, that’s impressive enough. And now, with his defensive partner John Klingberg out, he’s been forced into the no. 1 defenseman role. So far, he’s done nothing but excel, cashing in on the promise that he has built over the past two years. It also shows just how important the play of big players is during this stretch.
“Well, it’s really important,” said coach Jim Montgomery about the young players stepping up. “And it’s really important that our top-end guys carry us here.”
It’s important to realize what is going on right now. There is a new wave of Dallas Stars entering the fold at the moment.
The NHL is a fast-moving league, with new players always entering while old players exit. But, in times of crisis, it’s up to the young guns to step in and carry the load, primarily because there is no one else who can.
The Dallas Stars have received some incredible production from their reserves and rookies over the past 6-8 weeks. That cannot be overstated enough. As a result, the Stars are getting a firsthand look at their future. Within three years, all of these players could have a full-time role in Dallas. It’s the natural progression of the league, and this is a perfect opportunity to prepare and get ahead.
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Sometimes, all it takes is a simple puck to help paint the bigger picture.