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”