Post by Dallas Stars on Jun 30, 2022 21:15:01 GMT -6
It was a disappointing end to an otherwise successful inaugural season for GM Houghton and his Dallas Stars. Last week the season came to a whimpering close as the team dropped the Western Conference Finals to the LA Kings 4-1. With the loss, GM Houghton brought his career record in the WCF to 1-6. We tried to get the GM to comment after the tough series lost but all that we got was a “Go Away” as he laid in the fetal position in a puddle of tears. Max Pacioretty had a playoff run to remember collecting 13 goals and 14 assists (27 points) in only 17 games. The team escaped disaster in the 2nd round after almost blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Flames in round 2, escaping a repeat performance from his PHL team.
The outlook of the team going into the off-season looks pretty good. The team has only 2 pending free agents from the big club as Alec Martinez and Kevin Rooney’s contracts are set to expire. Zdeno Chara also announced his retirement after a long career and will be greatly missed on the blueline next season. Once the GM got over the initial shock of being eliminated again from the playoffs, he had this to say about the offseason plans, “Chara skating off into the sunset is tough to see. I’m grateful that he wanted to play here in Dallas and wish his all the best in whatever his next chapter has.” He continued, “Martinez, we would love to have back, and the option is there to resign but we will see what the next few days have in store. Even if he isn’t back, we have cap space to use to fill the holes on the blueline. We have cash in the bank and the whole core of this team returning. I really like where we stand”.
After putting up respectable number during the regular season Francouz and Lankinen struggled at times in the playoffs. The two netminders are both signed for the next 3 years at a combined 2.8 million dollars which some think leaves something to be desired. So, when asked about the podcast that came out about improving the goaltending position the GM responded, “I believe in the two goalies we have here, they will both be back next season. Why should I take goaltending advice from guys who are paying their goalies a combined 21 million to not get a playoff win and earn a lottery pick which he doesn’t even own. I think I’ll listen more to the guy who is still playing.”
The outlook of the team going into the off-season looks pretty good. The team has only 2 pending free agents from the big club as Alec Martinez and Kevin Rooney’s contracts are set to expire. Zdeno Chara also announced his retirement after a long career and will be greatly missed on the blueline next season. Once the GM got over the initial shock of being eliminated again from the playoffs, he had this to say about the offseason plans, “Chara skating off into the sunset is tough to see. I’m grateful that he wanted to play here in Dallas and wish his all the best in whatever his next chapter has.” He continued, “Martinez, we would love to have back, and the option is there to resign but we will see what the next few days have in store. Even if he isn’t back, we have cap space to use to fill the holes on the blueline. We have cash in the bank and the whole core of this team returning. I really like where we stand”.
After putting up respectable number during the regular season Francouz and Lankinen struggled at times in the playoffs. The two netminders are both signed for the next 3 years at a combined 2.8 million dollars which some think leaves something to be desired. So, when asked about the podcast that came out about improving the goaltending position the GM responded, “I believe in the two goalies we have here, they will both be back next season. Why should I take goaltending advice from guys who are paying their goalies a combined 21 million to not get a playoff win and earn a lottery pick which he doesn’t even own. I think I’ll listen more to the guy who is still playing.”
