Post by Dallas Stars on Sept 20, 2024 17:12:58 GMT -6
Well, it’s been sleepless in Seattle recently as Josh has come out of the forest to let the PFHL know where he stands on a bevy of “hot topic” items including the PFHL’s use of the divisional playoff format, NHL expansion, and keeping us updated on waiver numbers. I guess this is to be expected coming from one of the most boring cities in America. But enough about that.
Back on the home front, it was another relatively quite summer in Texas. Especially after the MAJOR disappointed last year brought, as the team missed the playoffs for the first time, after back-to-back Western Conference Finals.
The team wasn’t a major player in the free agent market, which only saw them sign depth defenseman Joel Hanley and Marc-Edouard Vlasic to 2-way contracts. They traded cash considerations to bring in farm defenseman Jason Demers and some draft picks. The most significant off-season acquisition saw the team trade long-time member Jared Spurgeon along with a 2nd round pick to Florida for Jakub Vrana to help solidify the top-6.
“We hated to say goodbye to Spurg, he was great for us in his 3 seasons here” GM Houghton said. “But with the emergence of Dean Kukan this past year on the farm and the struggles we had offensively, we felt this was a deal that made sense for us. When GM Jay came calling looking for a blueliner and to shed some cap, the deal came together rather quickly. Vrana should slot nicely into our top-6 and we look forward to see what he can bring this season”.
Along with Kukan and Vrana, Riley Damiani, and Jacob Peterson look to have graduated from the farm and are expected to take on full time rolls with the pro-club this season.
Another significant off-season change saw the team move on from head coach Rick Bowness who was let go shortly after the season ended. Replacing him behind the bench is fire ball, Patrick Roy. “After last years disappointing season, we felt we needed a change behind the bench, and Patrick should be able to keep the players accountable and we look forward to seeing what he can do. Patrick will be Patrick at times, I’m sure we’ll see him on the highlight reels from time to time.” GM Houghton added.
On the draft floor, the team decided to keep the selections they had despite many trade talks to acquire impact players. We understand that we don’t have the strongest of pipelines in the league and decided to address out major need, which was on defence. The teams selected bluelines with their first 3 selections picking the dynamic Zayne Parekh at 11, Adam Jiricek at 16 who plays both ends well, and defensive specialist E.J. Emery at 43. The team then added offensive forward Ryder Ritchie at 45 and Finnish netminder Eemil Vinni at 75, and to round of the draft, Uncle Rico Gredig with pick 208.
After last years shocking playoff miss, the Stars are back again with one of the deepest rosters in the league. With a Central division that only got stronger, will it be enough to see the Stars get back into the playoffs? It’s a make or break year in Texas, but more on that another time.
Back on the home front, it was another relatively quite summer in Texas. Especially after the MAJOR disappointed last year brought, as the team missed the playoffs for the first time, after back-to-back Western Conference Finals.
The team wasn’t a major player in the free agent market, which only saw them sign depth defenseman Joel Hanley and Marc-Edouard Vlasic to 2-way contracts. They traded cash considerations to bring in farm defenseman Jason Demers and some draft picks. The most significant off-season acquisition saw the team trade long-time member Jared Spurgeon along with a 2nd round pick to Florida for Jakub Vrana to help solidify the top-6.
“We hated to say goodbye to Spurg, he was great for us in his 3 seasons here” GM Houghton said. “But with the emergence of Dean Kukan this past year on the farm and the struggles we had offensively, we felt this was a deal that made sense for us. When GM Jay came calling looking for a blueliner and to shed some cap, the deal came together rather quickly. Vrana should slot nicely into our top-6 and we look forward to see what he can bring this season”.
Along with Kukan and Vrana, Riley Damiani, and Jacob Peterson look to have graduated from the farm and are expected to take on full time rolls with the pro-club this season.
Another significant off-season change saw the team move on from head coach Rick Bowness who was let go shortly after the season ended. Replacing him behind the bench is fire ball, Patrick Roy. “After last years disappointing season, we felt we needed a change behind the bench, and Patrick should be able to keep the players accountable and we look forward to seeing what he can do. Patrick will be Patrick at times, I’m sure we’ll see him on the highlight reels from time to time.” GM Houghton added.
On the draft floor, the team decided to keep the selections they had despite many trade talks to acquire impact players. We understand that we don’t have the strongest of pipelines in the league and decided to address out major need, which was on defence. The teams selected bluelines with their first 3 selections picking the dynamic Zayne Parekh at 11, Adam Jiricek at 16 who plays both ends well, and defensive specialist E.J. Emery at 43. The team then added offensive forward Ryder Ritchie at 45 and Finnish netminder Eemil Vinni at 75, and to round of the draft, Uncle Rico Gredig with pick 208.
After last years shocking playoff miss, the Stars are back again with one of the deepest rosters in the league. With a Central division that only got stronger, will it be enough to see the Stars get back into the playoffs? It’s a make or break year in Texas, but more on that another time.
