(Photo taken by Melissa Grissom)

There was a lot of activity in Dallas during the free agency period. Several players departed Dallas to enjoy their careers elsewhere, but a few players headed to Dallas to pull on a Stars jersey.

GM  Joe Nieuwendyk surprised a lot of Dallas Stars fans as well as a lot of fans across the NHL in early July. He managed to work some magic and bring Czech legend Jaromir Jagr to Texas. The deal was announced on July 3^rd 2012, and was worth a reported $4.5million.

I am really hoping that a deal is made and the lockout won’t occur. Jagr is on a one-year deal and the 2012/13 could be the only chance to see him in a Stars shirt. He will also be massive to the hopeful success on the ice. I expect him to form a formidable first line alongside Jamie Benn and Loui Eriksson. Jagr is superb at puck distribution, and if Jamie and Loui can get themselves in the right positions, we could see a lot of goals from this line. Jagr has a massive 988 assists in the NHL, he will certainly develop the game of his peers.

Another big addition for the Stars was center man Derek Roy. He was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in a trade involving Steve Ott and Adam Pardy. It is as simple as this: Roy was acquired to be a top 6 forward and replace Mike Ribeiro who departed to the Washington Capitals.

The Ottawa native will bring a lot to Dallas. With over 500 games to his name, the 29-year-old brings a lot of experience, and also has the ability to be a relatively big points scorer, scoring 60+ points on 4 occasions.

Another asset of his game is the crucial one for me, and this is his ability to perform on the power play. The Stars’ power play was average at best last season. It lacked structure and rhythm, managing to score just 33 goals throughout the season. I am hoping that this is an area of the game that they will be working hard on in training camp. Roy will be an integral part of this, and if the power play can get going, the team will benefit with positive results.

The third big addition was of Ray Whitney from the Phoenix Coyotes. He is another experienced player and a points scorer as well. This is a great addition for Dallas. He has well over 1000 appearances in the NHL and over 1000 points. He is getting on a bit, aged 40, but he is still a great hockey player.

I think that Whitney will help form the second line alongside Michael Ryder and Derek Roy. These guys might take a bit of time to gel, but if they get going I think they will bring the best out of each other. The Stars lacked depth last season, and a lot of scoring was done by the first line. 2012/13 will be different, the second line will take a lot of pressure off of the first line, and should benefit the team as a whole.

With other new recruits including Cody Eakin and Aaron Rome, and some promising draft picks, the Stars are starting to look like a decent outfit for next season!

Derek Roy (Photo: Bridget Samuels/Flickr)

Center/#11

May 4, 1983 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

5’9″/184

GP: 80

G: 17

A: 27

P: 44

+/- :  -7

Contract Status: 1 year deal for $4 million

On July 2nd, the day after the free agency frenzy, the Dallas Stars traded fan favorite Steve Ott and defensemen Adam Pardy for center Derek Roy, who will take the spot of departed center, Mike Ribeiro who was traded to the Washington Capitals. A few weeks later after the trade, the Stars learned that Roy needed surgery for a posterior labrum on his shoulder and he will be out until November. The situation with trading Roy for Ott showed confidence of the front office and a risky trade but maybe after Roy comes back from surgery, he will prove to the NHL that he can be that second line center, the Stars have been looking for. Derek Roy did tell the media that he was willing to play with the shoulder injury but the Stars didn’t want to take a risk with him, making the injury worse. Here’s more on Roy talking about the shoulder injury via from Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News:

Roy will likely be out until late November after he had surgery to tighten up a loose shoulder he had been playing through since last season. Roy had a very difficult season injury-wise, and he spoke with John Vogel of the Buffalo News in April as the Sabres were cleaning out their lockers. Here was his quote:

“Doc said it was going to take two years to get back to 100 percent. I had a tough stretch. I missed the exhibition games when I got injured (shoulder), and I got injured in July working out (a hamstring injury before last season), as well. Nobody knew about that one, but I took maybe a month off this summer. I pulled my hamstring in the summertime. That was tough working out. I took some time off and had to come in and do therapy every day on it. That was a tough stretch, then training camp came around and I got injured again (with the shoulder). Usually, I’m not injury prone at all, and it was tough to start the season off with those two injuries. I had a hard time going, and it’s still bothering me now to this day with both injuries. I’m going to take a month off and do absolutely nothing and try to rest and get back into shape and get ready for the season.”

» Continue reading “Player Profile: Derek Roy”

Stars Defense (Photo Taken By Melissa Grissom)

In free agency the Dallas Stars didn’t make as many headlines in defense as compared to the forward group with the signings of the rugged veteran defenseman Aaron Rome and big Tyler Sloan, who will provide the veteran leadership in Austin with the Texas Stars, but the big moves in Dallas defensive and goalie groups are happening within the organization itself, it’s been awhile but the Dallas Stars cupboard is just packed with young prospects, and not just any but scouts have them reaching the NHL at some point in the near future, but for now let us look at the NHL team.  With the departures of Adam Pardy and Sheldon Souray and the addition of Aaron Rome the Dallas Stars defense for the part will look the same as it did last season with a few changes, but let’s look at the pairs and see how things might work out:

(note: I completely put these lines together how I would have done it, please feel free to disagree with me and make suggestions)

1st Pair: Larsen-Goligoski

Alex Goligoski led the Dallas blueline in points for a second straight season, “The Goose” has continued to log lots of ice time ever since the Dallas Stars acquired him in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins back in 2011 and the defense is completely not the same with him out of the lineup. A lot can be said for Philip Larsen, in the 2011-2012 season he proved he was NHL ready and was very impressive as it seemed he just developed right before everybody’s eyes each game, but this year can he take it up a notch as certainly now he has drawn the competitions eye and they will be going for him.

2nd Pair: Daley-Dillon

Joe Nieuwendyk had a lot to say about young Brenden Dillon, and if his play with the Texas Stars last season and what he showed in his NHL debut in game 82 against the St. Louis Blues then he is as NHL ready as they come and who better to mentor him as a partner than the longest tenured Dallas defenseman in Trevor Daley. Daley certainly isn’t what everyone wants him to be, but the thing he is that is a fact is consistent and will show Dillon the NHL ropes real well as he still has a lot to learn

3rd Pair: Fistric/Rome- Robidas

The third pair will consist of the never quit warrior in Stephane Robidas and the competition of physical stay at home defenseman between Aaron Rome and Mark Fistric any combination of these three will be able to punish opposing players with big hits and solid stay at home defense.

» Continue reading “Dallas Stars Lineups: Defense and Goalies”

Stars shining bright (Photo taken by Melissa Grissom)

Times were hard in Dallas at the end of last season, as the Dallas Stars failed to clinch a playoff spot for the fourth consecutive season. However, with Tom Gaglardi at the helm, Joe Niuwendyk was assured that he would be provided with the funds to bring in some much needed talent over the course of the off-season.

GM Joe spent his money wisely. Not only has he brought in 3 forwards through free agency, but he has brought in 3 elite forwards in the form of Derek Roy, Ray Whitney and Jaramir Jagr. In my opinion, these 3 additions have made the Stars a genuine title contending team.

Why have they turned into a title contending team all of a sudden? Well, take a look at the first 2 lines. A first line of Loui Eriksson-Jamie Benn-Jaromir Jagr  is full of talent, skill and goals. On paper, it looks like one of the best in the league, and if these guys fire on all cylinders, we should expect big things from the boys.

A second line of Ray Whitney-Derek Roy- Michael Ryder looks a devastating one on paper. Whitney arrived from Phoenix, being arguably their best player, and Roy arrived from Buffalo in return for Steve Ott and Adam Pardy. These 3 guys will form a brand new second line, which may take some time to gel, but I think they will play a pivotal offensive role throughout the season.

With lines 3 and 4 containing some offense along with the nitty gritty factor, a nice blend of youth and experience in the defensive unit and a very decent goaltending unit, I think success could be right around the corner for the Dallas Stars.

The lack of success lately has meant some pretty poor crowds at the American Airlines Center in the recent past. The new signings are definitely going to attract more people to come and watch the Stars play and the AAC will hopefully become the fortress it once was.

Joe Niuwendyk and Tom Gaglardi have worked well together so far and brought in the desired players. There could be some more activity yet to happen, so keep your eyes peeled. Either way, bring on October to watch our new Stars have a good shot at the playoffs!

Jaromir Jagr Portrait (Drawn by Que-ink from deviantart)

Right Winger/ #68

February 15, 1972 in Kladno, Czech Republic

6’3″/240

GP: 73

G: 19

A: 35

P: 54

+/- :  5

Contract Status: 1 year deal worth  $4.5 million

Today the Dallas Stars signed yet another player after acquiring center Derek Roy from the Buffalo Sabres yesterday in exchange for Steve Ott and Adam Pardy.  They signed Jaromir Jagr to a 1 year deal worth $4.5 million dollars that shocked the hockey world. It even shocked me but then I realize that Nieuwendyk is going for the rebuilding phase of the Stars and maybe the veterans like Ray Whitney and Jagr will help the youth movement. Also help Jamie Benn and the rest of the younger players.  Here is the article from Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News on the Dallas Stars signing Jagr:

» Continue reading “Welcome To The Dallas Stars, Jaromir Jagr”

Philip Larsen (Photo taken by Melissa Grissom)

Defenseman/ #36

December 7, 1989 in Esbjerg, Denmark

6’0/ 190 lbs

GP: 55

G: 3

A: 8

P: 11

+/- :  11

Shots on Net: 69

Contract Status: RFA

By far the one of the  biggest suprises of the 2011-2012 season was the play and development of the young Danish defenseman Philip Larsen. At the beginning of the season Larsen made the Stars roster out of pre-season due to injuries at the blue line with Adam Pardy and Nicklas Grossmann sitting out. When the Stars were healthy Larsen was sent back down to Austin with the Texas Stars to develop some more and get lots of playing time. In November when Dallas was once again bit with the injury bug Larsen was once again recalled from the minors except this time he wasn’t sent back down. In those 50+ games Larsen proved he was NHL ready and made it hard for Dallas to sit him as a healthy scratch or send him back down to Austin, instead other defensemen like Adam Pardy got seated while Larsen got the call each night. Often partnered with  Alex Goligoski, “The Goose” took Larsen under his wing and helped mold him into a very dependable two-way defenseman. The biggest thing that impressed me with Larsen was his ability to handle the puck and keep control in his own zone, even when under pressure from opposing forwards, very rarely did you see him make a bad decision with the puck on his stick. Even though he might be small for a defenseman Larsen’s physical game took massive strides in the physicality department and never backed down from anybody. What Stars fans wished they saw a little more of is Larsen’s offensive ability. Last season he had a total of 69 shots on goal which is a little over one a game, Larsen has a good slapshot and could fight for powerplay time out of training camp and preseason.  Stars fans should expect to see a lot more of Philip Larsen in the future as a solid two-way defender with some upside.

Phillip Larsen is on twitter you can follow him @plarsen36

Trevor Daley (Photo Taken by Melissa Grissom)

Last season, I felt that the Dallas Stars built up a decent and consistent defensive unit. It contained a nice blend of youth and experience as well as a lot of physicality. Trevor Daley was an integral part of that unit and he had a great 2011/12 campaign.

Late in 2010, Daley was given a massive 6 year extension on his contract, worth $19.8 million. This emphasises how GM Joe Nieuwendyk knows that Trevor is a crucial player on the roster and that keeping him in Dallas for a long period of time was needed. Daley has over 500 appearances for the Stars, and the new contract was thoroughly deserved, as he has worked hard on his game over the years.

So, what does Trevor Daley bring to the Dallas Stars? He is a very athletic skater and provides good go-forward with the puck and provides his forwards with some good distribution, something he shows on the powerplay. He is also very durable, playing big minutes without picking up a lot of injuries.

Despite his high levels of athleticism and a good skating ability, Daley lacks size and therefore physicality on the ice. Last season, he was paired with veteran Nicklas Grossmann before he departed to join the Flyers. As Grossmann is a very physical defenseman, this made the pairing an effective one. With Grossmann now in Phillie, Daley could be given a fresh partner for next season. I would like to see him paired with Mark Fistric. Mark is a very big defenseman and will provide the physicality in the pairing whilst Daley provides the athleticism.

Daley is 28 and is in the prime years of his NHL career. With the experience he has, he will also act as a good mentor to the younger players on the roster. Both Adam Pardy and Philip Larsen are young and upcoming defenseman with the Stars, and they will look to players such as Daley for advice. The Stars also have their first pick from the 2011 draft, Jamie Oleksiak at their fingertips. The defensive unit is looking pretty good for years to come.

I am looking forward to seeing Trevor Daley in a Stars Jersey for a few more seasons. I think he is improving vastly year on year and I wish him the best of success for the 2012/13 campaign.

It's Pardy Time (Photo taken By Melissa Grissom)

#27/ Defenseman

March 29, 1984 in Bonavista, Newfoundland, Canada

6’4/220 lbs

GP: 36

G:0

A: 3

P: 3

+/- -5

PIM: 16

Contract Status: One-year at $2 Million Dollars

No balloons at this party, just the big Newfoundland defenseman. The first of several free agents signed by Joe Nieuwendyk on July 1st, 2011 Nieuwendyk claimed that he and his professional scouts have had an eye out for Adam Pardy and liked his skating ability with such a large frame brought some much needed muscle and a beefier look to a rather small defenseman group. In Pardy he was looking for an opportunity to play everyday and beat his career high in games played in a season (57). That of course did not happen this season as the beginning of the year instead of Adam Pardy we had Jeff Woywitka 2.0, so often Pardy found himself a healthy scratch and denied ice time in favor of Jordie Benn and Philip Larsen.

On February 6th it was reported that Pardy had been assigned to the Texas Stars for a conditioning assignment, due to being a consistent healthy scratch for almost a complete month and he had a mutual agreement between Coach Gulutzan and GM Joe Nieuwendyk, where in two games with the Stars AHL affiliate Adam Pardy had 4 points (0G,4A) and was a plus 4.

What Adam Pardy brings is a big defenseman with a smooth skating ability who is able to jump up and join the rush and able to get back and play defense. With the unknown of who will still be here of our defensive core from the past season I believe it’s safe to say that Adam Pardy will once again be our seventh defenseman ready to play when an injury occurs or a player needs a night off. It was a tale of two seasons for Adam Pardy where he was consistently struggling and then after his short AHL stint he turned his play up a notch, here are the numbers

Jeff Woywitka 2.0 (first 18 games)

Goals: 0

Assist: 1

+/-: -8

The real Adam Pardy (Last 18 games/Post AHL stint)

Goals: 0

Assists: 2

+/-: +3 (including the last five games of the season where Pardy was a +5)

Is Matt Carle a good fit for Dallas? (Photo: Bridget Samuels/Flickr)

The Dallas Stars once again found themselves on the outside looking in this postseason, but there is always a bright light at the end of a tunnel and for the case of the Stars our bright light has been scouting. Many players from playoff teams might be looking for new homes this offseason and Dallas is a very good destination.  This offseason is very important for the Stars, for the first time in four seasons the Stars will be a real player in free agency. The sour side is that this class of free agency is more on the weak side with two big names that pop out (Zach Parise & Ryan Suter) the constant media draw that those two bring I believe one guy is completely being overlooked and that is Philadelphia Flyer defenseman Matt Carle.

Matt Carle is a 6’0 ft. 205 lbs. defenseman from Anchorage, Alaska. Drafted 47th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2003 NHL entry draft.  Just coming off his seventh NHL season the twenty-seven year old defenseman will be entering Unrestricted Free Agency for the first time. The Philadelphia Flyers are having a bit of a offseason salary cap mess as they already have twenty players under roster and 61.2 million dollars in cap space taken up before the 2012-2013 season even starts and with a new extension to Nicklas Grossmann and the difficult situation surrounding team captain Chris Pronger, Matt Carle should definitely be looking for a new home and Dallas would be a great stop for him, let’s analyze the positives and negatives of Matt Carle in a Stars uniform.

THE POSITIVES OF MATT CARLE:

• Matt Carle is a relatively healthy player, only missing two regular season games in the past three seasons which would help a Dallas defense that had issues staying healthy at numerous times this season
• Carle is constant 35-40 point threat from the blue line, the Stars lead scoring defenseman of the 2011-2012 season was Alex Goligoski with 30 points (9G, 21A). And his career high for PIM’s for a season is 36
• In Philadelphia, Carle was partnered with Chris Pronger taking on the top lines of their opponents and even after Pronger went down with severe post-concussion syndrome Carle stayed as the top defenseman and still made a solid contribution to his teams regular season and playoff run where he was a consistent two-way defenseman scoring 6 points (2G, 4A) in 11 postseason games.
• Every season of his career Matt Carle has gone to the postseason at just the age of 27 Matt Carle has 84 games of playoff experience including Philadelphia‘s Stanley Cup run against  the Chicago Blackhawks.

THE NEGATIVES OF MATT CARLE

• This doesn’t really reflect Matt Carle, but the state of the Dallas Stars defense is really tricky. first the Stars have 5 defenseman already under contract with (Robidas, Goligoski, Daley, Pardy, and Brenden Dillon looking for a roster spot next season, and Philip Larsen, Mark Fistric, Jordie Benn and Sheldon Souray all looking for new contracts difficult decisions and some familiar faces will not be here next season whether Matt Carle or a new defenseman joins the team or not.
• Matt Carle at 6’0 205 pounds is not exactly the biggest guy and possibly could make our defensive core look really small which the Stars have had problems with since Derian Hatcher left in 2003, and which was the reason for the signings of Adam Pardy and Sheldon Souray last summer.
• Matt Carle was paid 3.43 million dollars last season and will definitely be looking for a nice pay raise. I don’t believe he will be looking for Christian Ehrhoff (10 Million) or even Shea Weber (7.5 Million) money, but he will definitely be looking to make 5-6 million a season with this deal and possibly a limited to full No Movement Clause.

So in perspective Matt Carle‘s good outweighs his bad and whatever team he signs with will be getting a complete under the radar defenseman who will bring a lot of options. He can play in all situations and has a lot of postseason experience. He would be a great option for the Stars to look at other than Ryan Suter who will be looked at by almost everybody.