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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Youth Movement

Posted on by Harlan Bowling
Jan 21, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov (52) checks Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque (22) as they battle for the puck during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The kids are alright. Or will be.

Woke up to the news that Dallas had recalled Matěj Blümel and Lian Bichsel from the Texas Stars. It’s somewhat newsworthy on its own that Bichsel is being called up, but it does seem like it’s every day we see the ups and downs of recalls and loans, as we continue in this Seguin-less timeline. While we have varying levels of prospects and an NHL-high amount of contributing rookies – it still feels like we’re just figuring things out until we make a splash in the market. We’ve come to expect title challenges over the last few years here in Dallas, so the impetus to come in a contribute big can become a high-pressure situation for the young guys being asked to fill a hole.

In my opinion, there’s more to be optimistic than pessimistic about with the kids. David Castillo over at D Magazine speaks to this.

I would argue no bigger factor explains Dallas’s modest flaws than the offensive struggles of its young core. 

This point is a little (OK, a lot) unfair to the youngsters. Development is not always linear. But this is the path Dallas chose. In the context of “win now,” there are no half-measures.

And that leads us to the real crux of the whole deal:

It’s important to stress what this argument is and is not. It is not a judgment of these young players, as if we’re being left clues of their long-term value. It’s a reflection of the Stars’ mission. This franchise is in uncharted territory. For decades, we’ve been told the NHL is not a developmental league. The implication is that if you want to win now, you need to develop later.

That’s what I’m constantly wondering when we see players up and down, and rely on the rookies to shoulder the load usually reserved for veterans. Are we really in win-now mode? The optimist in me still wants to say yes.

Great article worth a deep dive. (And I know I’m late on mentioning it, sorry!) Read more of David Castillo’s article over at D Magazine.

More Dallas Stars Stuff

New addition to the Stars fam! Welcome!

It was Texas Rangers Night at the AAC on Tuesday…which was way more fun than the on-ice festivities, unfortunately.

Elsewhere in the Central

Our time in second place with a game in hand was short-lived, as the Wild won and we dropped our extra game. Alas, only one point behind second and eight points behind Winnipeg in first with two games in hand.

One divisional game last night, and three Central teams active tonight.

  • The Jets dropped the Avalanche in OT last night in a thriller, winning 3-2. [RECAP]
  • Utah HC heads to Minnesota to take on the Wild tonight. [PREVIEW]
  • The Blues host the Golden Knights in a bid to tire them out before we get them tomorrow. [PREVIEW]
  • The Preds head over to San Jose to face the Sharks in a battle for relevance. [PREVIEW]

Around the NHL

Pumped.

Who doesn’t love a goalie goal???

My desire to see Ryan Reaves punched in the face is only slightly satisfied.

Speaking of hard to like…

Greetings from Scenic Cedar Park and Beautiful Boise!

A pretty great time in Cedar Park last weekend.

Congrats boys!

Finally

I’d rather they put a team there than Houston.

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