GDHQNHL15_2pg-Dallas Stars 1

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Dallas STARS WESTERN CONFERENCE Key Additions: C Jason Spezza, G Anders Lindback, RW Ales Hemsky Key Subractions: Ray Whitney, RW Alex Chiasson, C Dustin Jeffrey, G Tim Thomas, D Aaron Rome, C Nicholas Paul Strengths: Elite depth among the forward group. Weaknesses: Marginal depth along the blue line and weak special teams play. Offense The Dallas Stars will be thanking the Boston Bruins for years to come because of the acquisition of budding superstar Tyler Seguin prior to the start of the 2013-14 season. Seguin showed the talent that made him the second overall pick in 2010. His inaugural year in Dallas was a resounding success as he compiled 37 goals and 47 assists. These statistics put Seguin in the MVP conversation after helping to end the Stars’ playoff drought at five seasons. Teaming up with Seguin brought out the best in Stars’ captain Jamie Benn. Prior to last season, Benn was a proven 20-goal scorer year in and year out. With Seguin at his side, Benn broke out for 34 goals and 45 assists to set new career highs in both areas. The former fifth-rounder teamed with the jettisoned Boston Bruin to form one of the top duos in the entire NHL. These two players lead what has quickly become one of the deepest and most talented groups of forwards in the league. The reason for the improved depth is because of a key off-season acquisition. Jason Spezza was the prize of the hot stove season as the Stars landed the All-Star center in a trade from the Ottawa Senators. With experience as a top-line center, Spezza (23 goals, 43 assists) will now have a “lesser role” as he will take over as the second line pivot for the Stars. He will be joined on the line by former Ottawa teammate Ales Hemsky (13 goals, 30 assists), who signed this past off-season after being traded to Ottawa during the year. Together, the pair had a hand in eleven goals in 20 games after the trade. Management is hoping that they can find that same spark in the Lone Star State. Defense The Stars’ defensive group is one that is steady, but not spectacular. The headliner in this group is Minnesota-born Alex Goligoski as he put up another solid year on the blue line. Since coming over from the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2010-11 season, Goligoski has consistently shown the offensive touch that the Stars have craved since the days of Sergei Zubov. While the former second-rounder has put up consistent numbers the last few years, last season was his best year in Dallas as he put up 42 points (6 goals, 36 assists). Last year was the most points he has put up since the 2010-11 campaign. Trevor Daley, Goligoski’s defense partner, has proven to be a consistent and steady defenseman for years. The ten-year pro had his best defensive season last year with a plus/minus rating of +10. Daley’s consistency will allow Goligoski to take more chances in the offensive CENTRAL DIVISION Jordie Benn Jamie Sabau/NHL/Getty Images


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