Post by Dallas Stars on Sept 4, 2022 22:19:38 GMT -6
Life can move pretty quickly at times even in the South where GM Houghton had quite the busy off season retooling his Stars team. The team had an extremely successful inaugural season in the PFHL. The team finished 2nd overall in the regular season standings, only following division rivals Chicago who rode the backs of The Triplets for the presidents trophy. The team also saw some success in the playoffs making it to the Western Conference Finals before ultimately falling to what would be the champions, Los Angeles Kings. The Kings put up a playoff run for the ages and were not going to be denied.
So after a 2nd place showing during the season and a final 4 appearance in the playoffs the GM decided to run it back and take another shot at the title with the same team? Not exactly. The core remains intact, that's for sure. Barkov, Hughes, Zibanejad, Huberdeau, and Patches are all back, among others, but a few significant supporting cast members joins the team for the upcoming season that will make this team one of the deepest in paper.
Taking a look at the roster at the conclusion of the playoffs the team looked like this:
Aleksander Barkov-Max Pacioretty-Jack Hughes
Mika Zibanejad-Jonathan Huberdeau-Jesper Bratt
Teddy Blueger-Brandon Saad-Valeri Nichushkin
Johan Larsson-Mathieu Perreault-Wayne Simmonds
Kevin Rooney
Drew Doughty-Neal Pionk
Alec Martinez-Jared Spurgeon
Zdeno Chara-Troy Stecher
Joel Hanley
Pavel Francouz
Kevin Lankinen
After taking a couple of weeks evaluating a number of things that transpired over the season GM Houghton rolled up his sleeves and got right to work which included 12 trades, 8 draft picks, some resigning's, a few free agent signings (of minor degree), a couple of rerates, and prospect signings.
The summer started on a sour note with Zdeno Chara announcing his retirement, and with the team not being able to come to terms with Alec Martinez on a new contract it left the blueline very thin. Forward Kevin Rooney also decided to test the free agent market and did not return. With 2 gaping holes on the blueline a trade was quickly made to kill two birds with one stone and a trade was made with Colorado. Joining the Stars was Hampus Lindholm and Robert Hagg for a collection of picks and prospects. The main summer objective was complete in filling in the blueline and in relatively short order the GM thought, until the rerates came out which left Hagg's rating a little wanting (more on him later).
The big thing on the summer docket was the entry draft and with the team only a few picks in the later rounds, the GM had a bit of waiting to do. It was during round 1 when things got spicy in Dallas. The only other want the team had identified was maybe an upgrade at the 3C position. And this was a WANT, not necessarily a NEED. Both Ryan Johansen and Andrew Copp both had their names on the trade block and Houghton was hoping to target ONE of those players to fill that want. After negotiations with both Colorado and Winnipeg had begun, it became possible that BOTH players were attainable and before long and within minutes of each other both players were headed to Texas. Unfortunately that meant defensive specialists Teddy Blugar and Valerie Nichuskin left the organization along with some prospects and picks in the trades, the new editions gave the club an extremely deep top 9 and increased the offensive upside of the team dramatically. Pairing that with the decision to rerate Hughes and Bratt to dramatically increase their offensive ratings the Dallas Stars went from a defensive giant to an offensive juggernaut almost overnight. After this the team swung a number of minor deals to acquire a few more picks in the later stages of the draft including 7 in a row in the 5th round which were used to restock the system and in hopes to find a couple of hidden gems.
Following the draft it was UFA season and the team stayed mostly quiet. Resigning UFAs Tomas Jurco and Matt Donovan to help lead the Texas Stars. Netminder Jacob Ingham bailed on the Kings and recognized good management when he saw it and will join Texas as well with a 3 year pact. The team also came to terms with prospects Jacob Peterson and Fredrik Karlstrom as they both signed their entry level deals.
With still hoping to make an upgrade on the blueline the team was in hot pursuit of Sean Walker but was ultimately outbid by the Winnipeg Jets. So back to the trade market the team went and acquired Jamie Oleksiak and some depth players from the Washington Capitals in a pair of trades for cash. With the add of Oleksiak, Hagg was sent back to Colorado for seasoned vet Sam Gagner to help solidify the 4th line and PK. This looks to be the final move to complete the Stars lineup for the upcoming season. The GM gave both netminders a vote of confidence as both are back as the position went untouched. Farm hands Rhett Gardner and Joel L'Esperance will be looking to join the club in depth roles should they impress during training camp.
So let's now take a look at the new and improved lineup for your Dallas Stars:
Aleksander Barkov-Jonathan Huberdeau-Jack Hughes
Mika Zibanejad-Max Pacioretty-Andrew Copp
Ryan Johansen-Brandon Saad-Jesper Bratt
Johan Larsson-Sam Gagner-Wayne Simmonds
Rhett Gardner & Joel L'Esperance
Drew Doughty-Troy Stecher
Hampus Lindholm-Jared Spurgeon
Jamie Okeksiak-Neal Pionk
Joel Hanley
Pavel Francouz
Kevin Lankinen
With one of the deepest lineups in the league, with some cap space to spare, and a pile of cash the Dallas Stars are looking like the premier destination of the PFHL. Stay up to date with all the hot takes from around the team and league as (mostly) Dallas Daily continues into the new season.
Newcomers: Andrew Copp, Ryan Johansen, Hampus Lindholm, Jamie Oleksiak, Sam Gagner
So after a 2nd place showing during the season and a final 4 appearance in the playoffs the GM decided to run it back and take another shot at the title with the same team? Not exactly. The core remains intact, that's for sure. Barkov, Hughes, Zibanejad, Huberdeau, and Patches are all back, among others, but a few significant supporting cast members joins the team for the upcoming season that will make this team one of the deepest in paper.
Taking a look at the roster at the conclusion of the playoffs the team looked like this:
Aleksander Barkov-Max Pacioretty-Jack Hughes
Mika Zibanejad-Jonathan Huberdeau-Jesper Bratt
Teddy Blueger-Brandon Saad-Valeri Nichushkin
Johan Larsson-Mathieu Perreault-Wayne Simmonds
Kevin Rooney
Drew Doughty-Neal Pionk
Alec Martinez-Jared Spurgeon
Zdeno Chara-Troy Stecher
Joel Hanley
Pavel Francouz
Kevin Lankinen
After taking a couple of weeks evaluating a number of things that transpired over the season GM Houghton rolled up his sleeves and got right to work which included 12 trades, 8 draft picks, some resigning's, a few free agent signings (of minor degree), a couple of rerates, and prospect signings.
The summer started on a sour note with Zdeno Chara announcing his retirement, and with the team not being able to come to terms with Alec Martinez on a new contract it left the blueline very thin. Forward Kevin Rooney also decided to test the free agent market and did not return. With 2 gaping holes on the blueline a trade was quickly made to kill two birds with one stone and a trade was made with Colorado. Joining the Stars was Hampus Lindholm and Robert Hagg for a collection of picks and prospects. The main summer objective was complete in filling in the blueline and in relatively short order the GM thought, until the rerates came out which left Hagg's rating a little wanting (more on him later).
The big thing on the summer docket was the entry draft and with the team only a few picks in the later rounds, the GM had a bit of waiting to do. It was during round 1 when things got spicy in Dallas. The only other want the team had identified was maybe an upgrade at the 3C position. And this was a WANT, not necessarily a NEED. Both Ryan Johansen and Andrew Copp both had their names on the trade block and Houghton was hoping to target ONE of those players to fill that want. After negotiations with both Colorado and Winnipeg had begun, it became possible that BOTH players were attainable and before long and within minutes of each other both players were headed to Texas. Unfortunately that meant defensive specialists Teddy Blugar and Valerie Nichuskin left the organization along with some prospects and picks in the trades, the new editions gave the club an extremely deep top 9 and increased the offensive upside of the team dramatically. Pairing that with the decision to rerate Hughes and Bratt to dramatically increase their offensive ratings the Dallas Stars went from a defensive giant to an offensive juggernaut almost overnight. After this the team swung a number of minor deals to acquire a few more picks in the later stages of the draft including 7 in a row in the 5th round which were used to restock the system and in hopes to find a couple of hidden gems.
Following the draft it was UFA season and the team stayed mostly quiet. Resigning UFAs Tomas Jurco and Matt Donovan to help lead the Texas Stars. Netminder Jacob Ingham bailed on the Kings and recognized good management when he saw it and will join Texas as well with a 3 year pact. The team also came to terms with prospects Jacob Peterson and Fredrik Karlstrom as they both signed their entry level deals.
With still hoping to make an upgrade on the blueline the team was in hot pursuit of Sean Walker but was ultimately outbid by the Winnipeg Jets. So back to the trade market the team went and acquired Jamie Oleksiak and some depth players from the Washington Capitals in a pair of trades for cash. With the add of Oleksiak, Hagg was sent back to Colorado for seasoned vet Sam Gagner to help solidify the 4th line and PK. This looks to be the final move to complete the Stars lineup for the upcoming season. The GM gave both netminders a vote of confidence as both are back as the position went untouched. Farm hands Rhett Gardner and Joel L'Esperance will be looking to join the club in depth roles should they impress during training camp.
So let's now take a look at the new and improved lineup for your Dallas Stars:
Aleksander Barkov-Jonathan Huberdeau-Jack Hughes
Mika Zibanejad-Max Pacioretty-Andrew Copp
Ryan Johansen-Brandon Saad-Jesper Bratt
Johan Larsson-Sam Gagner-Wayne Simmonds
Rhett Gardner & Joel L'Esperance
Drew Doughty-Troy Stecher
Hampus Lindholm-Jared Spurgeon
Jamie Okeksiak-Neal Pionk
Joel Hanley
Pavel Francouz
Kevin Lankinen
With one of the deepest lineups in the league, with some cap space to spare, and a pile of cash the Dallas Stars are looking like the premier destination of the PFHL. Stay up to date with all the hot takes from around the team and league as (mostly) Dallas Daily continues into the new season.
Newcomers: Andrew Copp, Ryan Johansen, Hampus Lindholm, Jamie Oleksiak, Sam Gagner
