The Dallas Stars knocked off the Minnesota Wild 5-2 to improve their preseason record to 3-0. We did our first-ever DLLS Stars postgame podcast. And now I am writing this while eating a sandwich in bed. Life’s funny.
Let’s get into it.
Kole Lind, Oskar Bäck, and Arttu Hyry are really close
Kole Lind, Oskar Bäck, and Arttu Hyry all have a legitimate shot at cracking the NHL roster right out of camp. Each has impressed in the preseason, and all three have shown that they fit very well into the Dallas system.
Lind is very interesting to me. The 25-year-old forward has recorded 128 points in 134 American Hockey League games over the past two seasons. He finished with 65 points (17 goals, 48 assists) in 69 games last season–adding 11 points in 18 Calder Cup playoff games–and exploded for 30 goals and 62 points in 65 games two seasons ago with Coachella Valley.
That tells me that he has proven himself at the AHL level. Similar to Mavrik Bourque this season, there is only so much development you need. Lind has gotten that development, is entering what should be the prime of his career, and has so far shown that he can also perform in the NHL.
Tonight, Lind was aggressive and fun to watch. He had a secondary assist on Miro Heiskanen’s game-winning goal and played 17:21. But what impressed me most was his demand of the puck.
On multiple occasions, I could hear (from the press box) Lind screaming for the puck as he skated toward the open spots on the ice. On the breakout, he was able to find seams and truly wanted the puck on his stick. When he got it, he made good, patient plays.
All impressive stuff from No. 17.
Right there with him has been Hyry and Bäck. I thought Hyry was really good again tonight. He showed the ability to protect the puck and wait for the right passing lane to open, a similar poise to Lind. Bäck impressed me with his faceoffs (has won around 70% in the preseason) and how hard he drives to the tough areas.
Here is a good example of what they can bring–hunting pucks and making the right plays–this is Heiskanen’s goal with both Bäck and Lind playing integral roles.
The battle for an NHL roster spot is still very much on.
Marchment-Duchene-Seguin
This line is so good.
Mason Marchment, Matt Duchene, and Tyler Seguin were one of the best lines for Dallas last season. The trio makes sense on paper–Marchment going to the greasy areas and playing the role of F1 (first forechecker) to dig pucks out and battle, Duchene using his hands and vision to find open teammates, and Seguin combining his skill with his newfound grit. It looks good on paper, and it works on the ice.
But the trio also succeeds outside of their usual roles. Against the Wild, it was often Duchene who was winning a puck on the wall, just as he did on Marchment’s goal in the second period:
This allows for a steady flow of forecheck, cycle, and scoring chances and also, as we saw tonight, can lead to Dallas out changing their opponents in the offensive end.
It seems all but certain that these three will begin the season on a line together. And why not? They have excellent chemistry, are buddies off the ice, and are much more impactful together than they are apart. Let it ride.
The Stars definitely upgraded their blue line
The Stars blue line was a story all summer and is likely going to be one all season. But when you really break it down by personnel, it is clear that Dallas is better on the backend than they were a season ago.
Matt Dumba and Ilya Lyubushkin nicely replace Jani Hakanpaa and Ryan Suter. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t take that tradeoff at this time. The Stars liked both players, but Dumba can play a similar role and bring more of an explosive edge and hitting game, and Lyubushkin can move a bit more smoothly than the two former Stars, while also killing penalties, being physical, and blocking shots.
Brendan Smith is an excellent utility player–he has experience as both a forward and defenseman in the NHL–and is an upgrade from Joel Hanley. Hanley will forever be a Stars legend for his ability to jump into games and consistently deliver a solid performance-also for scoring his first NHL goal in Game 1 of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final. But Smith has more experience, is a bigger body, and provides a bit more leadership.
Outside of keeping Chris Tanev AND signing some of the pieces mentioned above–unlikely with the salary cap and what Tanev was able to get elsewhere–the Stars did about as well as they possibly could upgrading their blue line this summer.
And how about that lefty/righty action, eh?
If you are reading this at the time I publish, go to bed. If you are reading it on Thursday, don’t forget to listen to our first DLLS Dallas Stars postgame show, and I will talk to y’all soon!
