It’s no secret that the Dallas Stars are desperately seeking scoring. Between a shocking lack of puck luck and the growing pains of yet another new coaching system, the Victory Green gang endured a historic dry streak during the 2018-19 season.
But reinforcements will arrive soon, and Joe Pavelski should be chief among them – if his career averages hold. The Dallas Morning News’ Matthew DeFranks examines the case in a new article:
Dallas was tied for the third-worst offense in the league last season, and became the first team in seven years to rank in the bottom four in scoring in the league and still make the playoffs in a full season. The Stars scored just 209 goals.
Across the last six seasons (since the shortened season in 2012-13), Pavelski has averaged 34.7 goals per 82 games. If we allow for a few missed games and slight regression after shooting 15.1 percent during those years, perhaps we can land on 30 goals as a reasonable expectation for Pavelski’s production.
With the second year of The Process on the horizon, the Stars will also have some year-to-year stability in coaching systems:
In Jim Montgomery’s second year — with different personnel and potentially a changed philosophy on offense — the Stars could be better overall offensively. Plus, their underlying numbers last season suggest a bump in scoring after shooting just 6.87 percent (third-worst) at 5-on-5.
If Pavelski is able to take the Stars from one of the worst offenses in the league to merely an average one, that may be all Dallas needs with Ben Bishop and Anton Khudobin in goal.
Matt has more. [SportsDayDFW]
Stars Stuff
The Stephen Johns watch intensifies.
10 questions facing the Dallas Stars this season:
— Stephen Johns is on the comeback trail after sitting out the entire 2018-19 season due to injury.
Will he return to the ice and claim a top-4 spot this season?@MDeFranks | #GoStars https://t.co/BojBwafSSS
— SportsDay Stars (@dmn_stars) September 1, 2019
No, Sean Shapiro doesn’t really know any more than you do right now.
Asked Jim Nill about Stephen Johns today. Said it’s something the team will know more about once training camp starts. They want to be optimistic, but they also want to be realistic at the same time.
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) September 3, 2019
If you were one of the fans hoping the Stars might sign a local hero, Stefan Noesen will get his shot in training camp.
Stefan Noesen has been working out in Frisco and will be in Stars training camp on a PTO. He’s a UFA coming off a one-way deal with New Jersey in which he made $1.725 million. The Plano product is a former first round pick. Here are his stats.https://t.co/Fv8YN2Wzst
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) September 3, 2019
Around The League(s)
Will the NHLPA hand NHL owners a longterm victory by focusing too intently on one issue? Ken Campbell has thoughts.
Players’ obsession with escrow will lead to a new deal and another win for the owners. Here’s how: https://t.co/DIwob12jQ7
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) September 4, 2019
As falls Mitchell Marner, so falls every other RFA domino in the 2019 class. Kyle Dubas discusses what’s next for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ most important move of the offseason.
“I think they understand the terms we’re comfortable with and we understand the terms they’re comfortable with.”@MapleLeafs GM Kyle Dubas joined @timandsid to give an update on contract talks with Mitch Marner.https://t.co/RezkZUfrQK
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 3, 2019
Seattle Team To Be Named Later GM Ron Francis is bringing in another Carolina Hurricanes alumnus to help run the show.
THIS JUST IN: Ricky Olczyk has been named Assistant General Manager for #NHLSeattle!
Meet our first-ever AGM → https://t.co/fxO0CM51s8 pic.twitter.com/tPQTBI3YuC
— NHL Seattle (@NHLSeattle_) September 3, 2019
Phil Kessel in the Arizona Coyotes’ Kachina sweater is what I believe Th’ Kids™ call a “mood.”
And now, a message from the man himself, @PKessel81. #KachinaKessel pic.twitter.com/DqtNoM9gxM
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) September 3, 2019
No surprise that this classic look has made the Elite Eight of NBC Sports’ informal poll….
We’re down to 4!
Who will be meeting in the FINAL? pic.twitter.com/nXhraOeWFa
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) September 2, 2019
Niklas Kronwall has become the latest longtime NHL veteran to hang up his skates.
Niklas Kronwall played in 953 games in his NHL career and won a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 2008 https://t.co/5mdjAZJDsT
— SI NHL (@SI_NHL) September 4, 2019
And ICYMI, former Stars prospect Chris Martenet has landed with a new team.
Former #txstars D Chris Martenet signs with ECHL Brampton, which is where he spent last season on contract to Dallas https://t.co/EvXGxrxAC9
— 100 Degree Hockey (@100degreehockey) August 25, 2019
Finally
The Vegas Golden Knights definitely need to consider making this a thing again. Enjoy.
Yes, back in ’05 we used to come out through a giant slot machine pic.twitter.com/Szsp46vzzM
— Mike McKenna (@MikeMcKenna56) August 31, 2019