Fansided

Two options to resolve the Dallas Stars goaltending conundrum

By Caleb Nunn |
VANCOUVER, BC - JANUARY 20: Goalie Braden Holtby #49 of the Vancouver Canucks during NHL hockey action against the Montreal Canadiens at Rogers Arena on January 20, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - JANUARY 20: Goalie Braden Holtby #49 of the Vancouver Canucks during NHL hockey action against the Montreal Canadiens at Rogers Arena on January 20, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
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The Dallas Stars adding Braden Holtby created a crowded locker room, where three NHL-caliber goalies awkwardly occupy space for two. Stars fans have a ton of questions as training camp gets under way.

Blackout Dallas has two solutions to the Dallas Stars goaltending log-jam.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 27: Ben Bishop #30 of the Dallas Stars looks on during the first period of the game against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on February 27, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 27: Ben Bishop #30 of the Dallas Stars looks on during the first period of the game against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on February 27, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Ben Bishop to LTIR

The Dallas Stars should place Ben Bishop on the long-term injured reserve (LTIR) to start the season. Making the move drops Bishop’s cap hit and gives him more time to recover from knee surgery. Bishop’s surgery was the result of a meniscus injury suffered during the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoff bubble. Bishop missed all of the 2020-21 season, which resulted in the emergence of Jake Oettinger. Oettinger, 22, posted a 2.36 GAA and .911 SV% in 24 appearances with the Dallas Stars last season.

Bishop returning mid-season is likely in the LTIR scenario. A mid-season return provides the Dallas Stars with enough time to evaluate Holtby, Anton Khudobin, and Oettinger, with Oettinger likely beginning the season at AHL-Texas. Bishop on LTIR also provides Dallas with some financial stability and extra depth for the new season. Of course, we are assuming Holtby makes the Stars roster out of camp.

DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 19: Anton Khudobin #35 of the Dallas Stars reacts against the Detroit Red Wings in the third period at American Airlines Center on April 19, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 19: Anton Khudobin #35 of the Dallas Stars reacts against the Detroit Red Wings in the third period at American Airlines Center on April 19, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Trade Anton Khudobin

Anton Khudobin emerged as a fan favorite, performing very well during the Stars 2020 cup run. Despite an underwhelming 2020-21 season, Khudobin is still the ideal backup for any team out there. Dallas can play both of those facts on the trade market and open the door for a Bishop-Holtby tandem in 2021-22. This option leaves Oettinger available in case of injury.

Dallas is also gambling that Holtby can return to the stellar form he had while with the Washington Capitals

Khudobin’s $3.333 million cap hit might not be the easiest to move, but teams will become friskier as camps progress. The Stars would be gambling on poor camp performances and potential injuries to backup goalies around the league. Dallas is also gambling that Holtby can return to the stellar form he had while with the Washington Capitals.

There is belief in Dallas that the Stars envision Holtby rebounding after a disastrous tenure with the Vancouver Canucks. Holtby finished the 2021 season with a 3.67 GAA and .889 SV% in 21 starts. Holtby then lost the starting job to Thatcher Demko. Holtby’s best days could be behind him, but he is only 31 and deserves the benefit of the doubt. Holtby is a 31-year old net-minder with a 2.58 GAA and .915 SV% over his career. It is possible that Holtby was uncomfortable and a bad fit in Vancouver.

DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 20: Jake Oettinger #29 and Jamie Oleksiak #2 of the Dallas Stars celebrate a 5-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings in the third period at American Airlines Center on April 20, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 20: Jake Oettinger #29 and Jamie Oleksiak #2 of the Dallas Stars celebrate a 5-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings in the third period at American Airlines Center on April 20, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

What BOD would suggest to the Dallas Stars

We are of the mindset that the Stars best option would be to place Bishop on LTIR to ensure a full recovery. This allows Holtby, Khudobin, and Oettinger to fight for the two goaltender spots out of training camp. Should all three perform above expectation, the Stars will likely trade Khudobin or Holtby because there’s no room for 3 goaltenders at the NHL level.

Stars fans should not count out Oettinger. Oettinger carries the most momentum into the new season

Holtby and his $2 million contract will be much easier to move, should he shine during Stars training camp. The potential also exists for Dallas to hold onto the Cup-winning goalie and flip him later in the season for more. Such a scenario would mean Oettinger begins the season on the AHL affiliate Texas Stars. However, Stars fans should not count out Oettinger. Oettinger carries the most momentum into the new season and is not going to lay down during camp.

How Jim Nill and Rick Bowness handle the Dallas Stars goaltending conundrum will set the tone for the 2021-22 season. There is time between now and the end of the preseason for the Stars to set their 23-man roster. A lot can happen before then and the competition between the goalies should be intense. At the end of the day, we’re hoping such competition results in the best goaltending tandem in Victory Green on opening night.

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