As summer is drawing to a close, NHL.com is recapping each team’s summer and previewing the upcoming season for each franchise. On Saturday, it was all about the Dallas Stars, who were unquestionably one of the most proactive and ambitious teams over the past few months.
It hasn’t just been the last few months, but more like the last couple years, beginning with the introduction as Tom Gaglardi as the new owner of the Dallas Stars. Since coming in, he has definitely made his mark on every aspect of the organization, from management, to coaching, to the sweaters on the players’ backs. NHL.com’s first article suggests that change is exactly what this team has needed. [NHL.com]
It’s not all about recapping, with “30 Teams in 30 Days,” as they also dissect the moves that were made and determine what questions are still be answered. Will Tyler Seguin be able to successfully transition back to his natural center position? Are the Stars young guns ready to become the go-to core of the team? Are we in for another monumental late season crash? [NHL.com]
Every since Joe Nieuwendyk took over the helm for the Stars, the organization has been stockpiling young talent and draft picks… a philosophy that Jim Nill has continued in his tenure. It’s paying off, as the Stars now have one of the most formidable prospect pools in the game. NHL.com put together their Top 10 of Stars prospects, headlined by none other than Valeri Nichushkin. [NHL.com]
Jim Nill’s other mission was to rebuild the depth at center that organization hasn’t had since the days of Modano, Nieuwendyk, Arnott, and Turgeon. By bringing in Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley, and Shawn Horcoff, the Stars addressed that weakness and turned their depth into a position of strength. [NHL.com]
Almost forgotten in the shuffle with the new GM, new coach, new uniforms, and the Seguin trade is the addition of veteran defenseman Sergei Gonchar, who will instantly become one of the most important cogs of the Stars blueline. [NHL.com]
The Official Site of the National Hockey League isn’t the only source that has elaborated on the state of the Stars. Comcast Sports recently shined a spotlight on the NHL’s only Texas franchise as well, picking the Stars as a team poised to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. [CSN Washington]
The Dallas Morning News ran a piece about the acquisition of Sergei Gonchar by Jim Nill, saying that he wasn’t acquired with mentoring anyone like Valeri Nichushkin in mind, but since that’s where the chips fell, it’s a bonus. Gonchar was instrumental in getting Evgeni Malkin acclimated to the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he should fill a similar role with #43 in green. [DMN]
It’s not all about the Stars additions, however. There are always the subtractions, like the very popular Loui Eriksson, who now calls Boston home. The Causeway Crowd blog prepares Bruins fans for their newest All-Star addition, hyping him as Boston’s “Next Favorite Bruin.” There’s a lot to like about #21, and we certainly wish him the best. [Causeway Crowd]