Post by Dallas Stars on Nov 28, 2021 15:29:59 GMT -6
As the Dallas Stars concluded their preseason and sit on the eve of their season opener against the St. Louis Blues, they find themselves right in the thick of things as the inaugural season of PFHL gets under way.
It didn't take long for the Stars GM to make a couple of book end trades as he began and concluded the preseason. GM Houghton made his first trade by shipping off goalie Braden Holtby to the Coyotes for a 5th rd pick and concluded the preseason by sending away hold over Andrej Sekera to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Big Z himself, Zdeno Chara. Chara recently announced that we would retire at the end of the season and his looking forward to playing in Big D.
The Stars had a decent pre-season compiling a record of 6-3-1 which was good enough for the 2nd best winning percentage in the division. The team has some early struggles with consistency, having some great wins, but also some humiliating losses. Coach Rick Bowness summarized the pre-season this way, "It was great to see our best players, be our best players. That was really encouraging to see. Sure, a couple of players had their struggles but that is why we play some pre-season games. This team was only just assembled, so there will defiantly be some growing pains, but I'm really looking forward to coaching this squad". He continued, "Zib and our bottom 6 forwards took a little bit to find some offense, but hopefully they can build some momentum and our final pre-season game. Lankinen had his struggles too, but he is a young kid who will only improve, I'm not overly concerned about a few pre-season games. "
Overall, the Stars have built a very solid defensive club from top to bottom and that was only solidified by bring in Chara and claiming Mathieu Perrault off the waiver wire who will slot nicely into the bottom 6. GM Houghton went on to say about his team, "I really like where we stand right now. We have an electric top six group that should provide plenty of offense, and 8 solid forwards that specialize on the defensive side of the game who will rotate in and out to play in the bottom six. While our defense may not have any overly sexy names, it is a solid group of seven who are responsible in their own end and able to get the puck up ice, they should be able to help insulate our young tandem of Jarry and Lankinen." He added, "we also have the financial flexibility to add any player in the league. Should the team struggle early or if we need some upgrades, or player juggling, cap space will not be an issue."
Regular season success is nothing new to GM Houghton who looks to have all the pieces lined up for a successful run here, but getting it done in the playoffs has been his kryptonite. Only time will tell if he will meet the same fate here.
It didn't take long for the Stars GM to make a couple of book end trades as he began and concluded the preseason. GM Houghton made his first trade by shipping off goalie Braden Holtby to the Coyotes for a 5th rd pick and concluded the preseason by sending away hold over Andrej Sekera to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Big Z himself, Zdeno Chara. Chara recently announced that we would retire at the end of the season and his looking forward to playing in Big D.
The Stars had a decent pre-season compiling a record of 6-3-1 which was good enough for the 2nd best winning percentage in the division. The team has some early struggles with consistency, having some great wins, but also some humiliating losses. Coach Rick Bowness summarized the pre-season this way, "It was great to see our best players, be our best players. That was really encouraging to see. Sure, a couple of players had their struggles but that is why we play some pre-season games. This team was only just assembled, so there will defiantly be some growing pains, but I'm really looking forward to coaching this squad". He continued, "Zib and our bottom 6 forwards took a little bit to find some offense, but hopefully they can build some momentum and our final pre-season game. Lankinen had his struggles too, but he is a young kid who will only improve, I'm not overly concerned about a few pre-season games. "
Overall, the Stars have built a very solid defensive club from top to bottom and that was only solidified by bring in Chara and claiming Mathieu Perrault off the waiver wire who will slot nicely into the bottom 6. GM Houghton went on to say about his team, "I really like where we stand right now. We have an electric top six group that should provide plenty of offense, and 8 solid forwards that specialize on the defensive side of the game who will rotate in and out to play in the bottom six. While our defense may not have any overly sexy names, it is a solid group of seven who are responsible in their own end and able to get the puck up ice, they should be able to help insulate our young tandem of Jarry and Lankinen." He added, "we also have the financial flexibility to add any player in the league. Should the team struggle early or if we need some upgrades, or player juggling, cap space will not be an issue."
Regular season success is nothing new to GM Houghton who looks to have all the pieces lined up for a successful run here, but getting it done in the playoffs has been his kryptonite. Only time will tell if he will meet the same fate here.
