Happy hump day, DBDers! Ready for a quick look at the Stars’ key #fancystats? Let’s get started.
We’re working our way through the Dallas Stars content dump that was 32 in 32 Day at NHL.com. Next up: a good look at the team’s NHL EDGE stats.
For starters, let’s just assume that Wyatt Johnston is already elite. Last regular season, he was a league leader in high-danger shots on goal with 87. He turned 17 of those shots into high-danger goals, which lands him in the NHL’s 93rd percentile. Here’s what NHL.com director and senior fantasy editor Pete Jensen sees in his future:
Johnston, who started last season as the Stars’ third-line center, was their leading goal-scorer in the regular season (32) and playoffs (10; tied for third in NHL), and he could take on an even bigger role this season after Joe Pavelski’s retirement. Dallas was third in the NHL in high-danger goals as a team (156) during the regular season behind the Edmonton Oilers (163) and Toronto Maple Leafs (161) and ranked second in midrange goals (89) behind the Buffalo Sabres (98).
On the blueline, Thomas Harley gets some attention. In the 2023-24 regular season, he ranked third among NHL defenders in midrange goals with nine:
Although Harley remains the No. 2 defenseman behind Miro Heiskanen, Harley was most frequently paired with Heiskanen and quietly outscored his elite teammate in goals (15 to nine) and even-strength goals (13 to seven) in the regular season. During the 2024 postseason, Harley was tied for second among defensemen in midrange shots on goal (15) behind Evan Bouchard (23) of the Oilers but was held to no goals and four assists in 19 playoff games, so his finishing ability could loom large as Dallas continues to contend for the Stanley Cup in future seasons
There’s more at the big site, including a look at Roope Hintz’s bursts of speed and where they position him among the NHL elite. [NHL]
Stars Stuff
The offseason continues – Jim Nill shores up the Stars’ goaltending depth, in Dallas and Cedar Park, with the Magnus Hellberg contract.
Around The Leagues
- The talking heads at NHL Network have assembled their list of the top 10 young wingers in the league. [NHL]
- Sure, offer sheets are fun, but what do they really cost? Jim Parsons has an overview of how that worked out for the Vancouver Canucks, the Anaheim Ducks, and others. [The Hockey News]
Finally
It’s a good question. What do you think? Discuss. And enjoy.