The Dallas Stars have one of the deepest prospect pools currently in the league. They could easily call up some of them if there are any injuries to the players on the Stars. However, how long should they wait until their turn to make it to the NHL? Every season the prospects play their butts off during the preseason and they end back up in the minor leagues. Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill has a history of blocking young prospects from making the roster. Let’s take a look at how Jim Nill and his politics could affect the Dallas Stars this season and down the road.
Jim Nill Politics: Why does he continue to sign veterans?
Now I understand Jim Nill’s point of view of bringing in veterans such as Matt Duchene for a season since the Stars have a short contending window for the Stanley Cup. Duchene’s contract is very cap-friendly and he can help out the Stars with offense this season. When you sign a player such as Craig Smith who isn’t much of an offensive threat, that’s when you start scratching your head.
Jim Nill Politics: How does his politics hurt the Stars organization
Right now it’s hurting the Stars organization because we have a couple of players that are ready for the NHL. Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque have shown so far this preseason that they deserve to be on the roster at the beginning of the season or at some point this year.
Every year, Nill keeps signing veterans who take up roster spots that could be going to the future of our franchise. Based on what I’ve seen from Stankoven so far, he looks like he could fit anywhere on the roster. He could be this year’s Wyatt Johnston if he continues to play the way he has so far.
Jim Nill Politics: Conclusion
Now I know that some prospects do need some time in the AHL to develop a bit more before making it to the NHL. My only issue with Jim Nill right now is he needs to realize that he can easily solve some of the weaknesses on the roster with prospects that the Stars have drafted. We don’t need to go out there every free agency and use a “Craig Smith” to fill an opening on the roster. We have the talent within the organization and we need to unleash that talent on the main roster.