NHL Central Division preview: Dallas Stars
As NHL training camps get set to open this week, here's a look at what to expect from the Blackhawks' Central Division foes this season.
DALLAS STARS
Last season: 50-23-9, 109 points, first place
Postseason: Lost to St. Louis in Game 7 of second round
Key additions: Defenseman Dan Hamhuis; Forward Jiri Hudler
Key losses: Defensemen Alex Goligoski, Jason Demers and Kris Russell; Centers Colton Sceviour and Vernon Fiddler.
The skinny: No team scored more goals last year than Dallas and the Stars figure to be near the top of the league again with high-scoring talent like Jamie Benn (36.7 goals/season last three), Tyler Seguin (35.7) and Jason Spezza (33 goals last season) still in tow.
It will be interesting to see how Jiri Hudler (16 goals last season; career-high 31 in 2014-15) plays in this high-octane system. The 32-year-old center figures to get ample opportunities and should fit in nicely.
The big question is whether coach Lindy Ruff's team can withstand the loss of three defensemen who all averaged 20-plus minutes of ice time. Dan Hamhuis, a free-agent signee with 12 years experience, will obviously fill one hole. But after that ex-Blackhawk Stephen Johns and another youngster or two must step up and keep teams from getting quality shots on goalies Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi. Two names for fans to watch are 22-year-old Esa Lindell and 20-year-old Julius Honka.
Last season, Dallas was thought to be a year away from serious contention for a Stanley Cup title, yet the Stars surprised and won the Central Division. Despite the losses on defense, this is one dangerous team and it could easily repeat as division champs.