Fansided

The three new Dallas Stars that will provide an immediate impact

By John Grux |
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 28: Luke Glendening #41 of the Detroit Red Wings faces off against John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL pre-season game at Scotiabank Arena on September 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 28: Luke Glendening #41 of the Detroit Red Wings faces off against John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL pre-season game at Scotiabank Arena on September 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
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The Dallas Stars narrowly missed the 2020-21 playoffs after a season ravaged by bizarre scheduling and key player injuries. Big D will soon begin training camp healthy and with some new faces.

Of the Stars new faces, we envision three that will provide an immediate impact in Dallas’s chase for the Western Conference crown.

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 26: Ryan Suter #20 of the Minnesota Wild skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on November 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 26: Ryan Suter #20 of the Minnesota Wild skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on November 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

1. D – Ryan Suter

The Dallas Stars threw many fans for a loop when they signed Ryan Suter to a 4-year contract this offseason. It remains a mystery why the Minnesota Wild decided to part ways with the 36-year old. Suter is well beyond his prime, but he did more than hold his own in top line pairings last season.

In Dallas, Suter will slot nicely in the Stars second line defensive pairing and move up a line when needed. Suter’s stay home, stubborn style of defense fits right into the Stars scheme. The Madison, Wisconsin native will also be a welcome addition Big D’s penalty-killing units.

Stars fans that groaned over the Suter signing because of his recent point production are out of their depth. Suter will earn all of his $3.65 million AAV by disrupting opposing offenses with slick stick-work. His veteran presence in the Dallas locker room is an added bonus.

We think Suter immediately gels with his new coaches and teammates at the start of Stars training camp. We also think Suter contributes to Dallas finding the same, veteran mojo that propelled them into the 2020 Stanley Cup Final.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 12: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes a check from Luke Glendening #41 of the Detroit Red Wings during the third period at Little Caesars Arena on October 12, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Toronto won the game 5-2. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 12: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes a check from Luke Glendening #41 of the Detroit Red Wings during the third period at Little Caesars Arena on October 12, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Toronto won the game 5-2. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. C – Luke Glendening

Luke Glendening is arguably the Dallas Stars most underrated transaction from this offseason. Glendening is a fourth line line grinder that, to this point, has played his entire career with the Detroit Red Wings. The Michigan native is now in Dallas on a 2-year deal worth $1.5 million. He is expected to fill the void left by Andrew Cogliano who recently signed with San Jose Sharks.

Only Patrice Bergeron was better in the face-off circle last season.

Stars fans might not realize just how much of a face-off specialist Luke Glendening is. The 31-year old owns a 54.8% career face-off percentage to include 60.9% in 2020-21. Only Patrice Bergeron was better in the face-off circle last season.

We expect Glendening to solidify the Stars fourth line that lacked consistency due to injuries that jumbled the lineup last season. Glendening and his above-average shot-blocking will also factor into Dallas’s special team units.

Stars general manager, Jim Nill, is very familiar with Glendening from his tenure in the Red Wings front office. Come playoff time, physical presences like the one Glendening commands gives teams an edge. In their newest depth centerman, the Dallas Stars now have that edge.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 17: Jani Hakanpaa #58 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Mathieu Olivier #25 of the Nashville Predators scuffle following a whistle during the second period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 17: Jani Hakanpaa #58 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Mathieu Olivier #25 of the Nashville Predators scuffle following a whistle during the second period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

3. D – Jani Hakanpää

What can the Dallas Stars do with a 6’5, 220-pound blueliner that has NHL playoff experience? The better question might be, what can’t they do?

Jain Hakanpää signed with the Stars for 3-years and $4.5 million following his last gig with the Carolina Hurricanes. Hakanpää is as strong and plays as physical as one would expect given his size. The 29-year old Finnish defenseman also skates very well and can fire torpedoes from the blueline if given opportunity.

There will be games that require a bigger, more physical lineup of which Hakanpää will be a difference-maker

Hakanpää’s impact with the Dallas Stars is identical to Ryan Reaves’ impact with the Vegas Golden Knights in recent seasons. There will be games that require a bigger, more physical lineup of which Hakanpää will be a difference-maker. We also expect some time on the penalty kill unit for the 2-year NHL veteran.

Like Suter, there were many teams interested in adding Hakanpää this season. Thankfully, he choose to sign with Dallas where he’ll be integrated with a handful of Finnish players. Playing with so many of his fellow countrymen should prevent any lengthy adjustment or awkward periods in Dallas.

Who are the new faces on the Dallas Stars that you think will provide an immediate impact? Find Blackout Dallas on Twitter and let us know. -J.G.

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