One of the biggest questions heading into the offseason for the Dallas Stars is how to tinker with the team’s blue line. The Stars were one of the best defensive teams in the league, led by top defenseman John Klingberg and emerging superstar Miro Heiskanen, not to mention the always reliable Esa Lindell.
But while those first two will still be rather cheap for a couple more years, Lindell is another story. The Stars defenseman is a RFA this season, and will likely command a hefty pay increase:
In the playoffs… Lindell averaged just under 27 minutes per game… This is his window to really cash in, and the Stars realistically should expect to pay at least $5 million per season for his services going forward.
General Manager Jim Nill will also have to find someone to round out the top four, assuming they can’t rely on a healthy Stephen Johns for 2019-20. Trades are always possible, but free agency might be the team’s best bet:
Anton Stralman might be the best choice, as a combo top-four player and insurance policy for Johns’ health and level of play. A pair of Winnipeg Jets could also be the answer, with Tyler Myers headed to unrestricted free agency and Jacob Trouba, an RFA, seemingly on a path out of Winnipeg.
You can read more from Sean Shapiro behind the paywall: [The Athletic]
Stars Stories
Speaking of the defense, what’s next for Julius Honka?
Part of the Stars’ plans or an asset to move? Julius Honka’s future in Dallas remains cloudy at best https://t.co/qGwIcHqUhB
— SportsDay Stars (@dmn_stars) May 14, 2019
Scott Burnside breaks down the offseason plans for each Central Division team:
NHL offseason outlook: @OvertimeScottB on what to expect from every Central Division team: https://t.co/msw719zvoy
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) May 14, 2019
Around the League
Another game, another Boston Bruins win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Bruins can officially pack the broom for Game 4:
RECAP: Bruins survive storm, pull out 2-1 win https://t.co/KtZmyamfWP
— Stanley Cup of Chowder (@cupofchowdah) May 15, 2019
Looks like the Buffalo Sabres have their next head coach:
Ralph Krueger will be the next head coach of the #Sabres, @FriedgeHNIC reports.https://t.co/M6gD1oAnkJ
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 15, 2019
Down Goes Brown breaks down some key takeaways from each Conference Finalist:
Six lessons the rest of the league can learn from the conference finalists: https://t.co/eKfdYTiPQH
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) May 14, 2019
That being said, maybe don’t always copy what other teams do. Especially if it leads you to believe that you shouldn’t pay your stars the big bucks:
Lack of mega-money players an anomaly this postseason. https://t.co/FP1JjSogjC | @NHLonNBCSports
— Adam Gretz (@AGretz) May 13, 2019
Finally…
I’m just gonna leave this here…
Jamie Benn is goddamn amazing captain
— Mike McKenna *LIVE* (@McKennaInGame) May 15, 2019