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Stargazing, A Dallas Stars Puckcast – Episode 310: Built This Way, Part 1

What’s really going on under the Stars’ hood? Wes and Mark talk about it with stats aficionado David Castillo.

Defending Big D's Stargazing podcast logo, featuring a Dallas Stars Victory Green cassette tape with tearaway jersey texture and nets over the sprocket holes, designed by Jason Lara
Logo design: Jason Lara | @NHLMaps

It’s a new year bringing the same old worries for Dallas Stars fans. Every mistake is a harbinger, every loss is a world-ender. Have we gotten too used to the good times?

In this episode, Wes and Mark invited David Castillo to talk about the Victory Green Gang’s underlying stats – and, candidly, to talk them down from the rickety ledge of Stars positivity. And they had so much to talk about that we’re splitting this cast into two parts, so you can slam it down fast.

In this edition, the crew ponders what Mikko Rantanen does that makes him unique among NHL forwards, what Thomas Harley can do to make the Stars a true playoffs force, what will happen if (when) regression gets to them, and ever so much more.

It’s not unsustainable if you can do it. We’re Stargazing, that’s our story, and we’re sticking to it.

While you’re here, why not throw in an opinion on where you expect the Stars to be at the Olympics break? We think about your feedback all the time, and that’s why we’d also love a rate, review, or share from you, wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks for everything. We love you.

The Dallas Stars have visibly struggled with late-season injuries in the past couple of weeks. And nowhere has this been more apparent than in the depleted forward corps. How do you rotate lines when the second line is missing? In this episode, Wes and Mark talk about this in depth. They discuss whether Michael Bunting needs to play on the first line, the possibility that Tyler Myers has a Jordie Benn problem, the state of the defense, how the Stars' run-up to the Stanley Cup Playoffs is panning out, and – of course – who falls where on the Expected Rawr (xRawr) chart, now enhanced with up to 37 percent more made-up stats. You take two of your best players off the roster, and all of a sudden forward depth is an issue. We’re Stargazing, and we get it. We really do. Which Stars are in which xRawr quadrant? So far, Wes and Mark have calculated rankings for the following players, current and historic: Sam Steel Jason Spezza Alex Radulov (Yes, we are this committed to the bit. Get on board now, or risk an injury when you try to jump this train during the playoffs.) Let's talk more at Defending Big D. And don't forget to give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. That's, like, our whole thing right now. Welcome to Stargazing. We love you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
  1. Dropping Lines
  2. You're The Man Now, Dawg
  3. Post-Deadline
  4. Push Play
  5. Olympic Break Score Sheet

Talking Points