In this edition of the hotstove, we discuss whether the Dallas Stars are legitimate contenders following a busy off-season.
As a refresher, they hired Ken Hitchcock to coach and brought in the likes of Ben Bishop, Alex Radulov, Martin Hanzal and Marc Methot via free agency and trade.
Todd Cordell
…‹The Dallas Stars are definitely a better team but I don't see them as contenders just yet (the jump from 79 points to 100+ is a massive one).
…‹I'm not as high on Bishop as some -- among 32 eligible goaltenders, he's 22nd in 5v5 save percentage over the last three seasons -- and I don't think Methot will improve the defense nearly as much as anyone thinks.
I really like the Stars' weapons up front but I am still concerned about the defense. I don't see them as legitimate contenders next season unless Julius Honka, Esa Lindell and co. take *big* steps forward.
They should be very entertaining to watch, though. …‹ James Tanner I would have to really dive into the stats of their defenseman before I could say one way or the other, but I believe that they have made some really good additions and that they weren't really that far from contending in the first place.
Having Radulov as your 3rd best forward is pretty insane. The Stars probably were a worse team last year than they deserved to be, so I could see them making big strides this year.
Peter Tessier
The Stars have done the most to improve via trades and free agents compared to the rest of the NHL. Add in the return of Hitchcock and they are seemingly set to be a challenger in the Central division and even perhaps the Western Conference. They were that way last year too, right?
Coming off tops in the Central they Stars failed to do anything last season and Jim Nil obviously believes that the core ingredients to success are there. Perhaps owner Tom Galiardi feels even more strongly. Other than say the Predators, who are coming off a SCF trip, what team got better in the West? The Flames and who else? The Stars are better now than when they finished the season and when you look at the west you can see the reason why. It's go time, and Dallas went all-in but they're still going to need some luck, and their Stars to align.
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