Can this Dallas Stars defensive group reach the pinnacle of the Stanley Cup? It looks like the Stars are rolling with Miro Heiskanen, Ryan Suter, Jani Hakanpaa, Thomas Harley, Esa Lindell, and Nils Lundkvist at the beginning of the season. What can we expect from Hakanpaa and Lundkvist this season who will be playing with a different partner for the majority of the season. Who is the odd-man out? Is Pete Deboer’s system tailored for this group and what will it look like in year number two.
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12 Comments
The short answer is yes, but we are going to need to put in the work to make the defense what it can be
Jake Oettinger definitely needs a better defense in front to help him out. I feel like he was expected to be Superman between the pipes and save every SOG. Hopefully they get the right pairings for it to work right. One thing about the GKN that I liked was there defense hard to get through and score goals. For a defensemen I like size and strength to fight it out a long the boards, and good athleticism.
Just watched a game back in January 2022 with Harley. The difference between then and last years playoffs is night and day.
As much as I like Nils – gotta trust the process with the coaches/front office.
It was reported that prospect Lian Bichsel only needed one game in Traverse City to make his mark and could very well be a Thomas Harley type scenario (some time with TS) for the playoff's next spring, if not make the roster outright (possible but not probable). Except bigger and meaner. 6'5" 216 lbs.
What do you think about Stars Coach Peter?
I like the way our D-corp looks tbh, Miro can go with anyone, whether this means carrying suter, or working with someone like like nils, hakenpaa, or harley is invaluable. Our second line I could see being either esa and nils, or Harley and Hakenpaa. The third line is where things get tricky, bc if suter is there, who do you pair him up with to cover for him? If he isn’t down there, then what will that line be? I would hope it wouldn’t be harley or nils, as I think there use is further up in the line up. Saying this we all know the issues of Esa-Hakenpaa. I think this could be a good problem, as Bischel could potentially make the lineup and rock a third pairing with someone like esa or suter if needed.
Out of all the defensemen that went to traverse city, Bichsel was the only one that I was able to take notice of in terms of potential. I still think he’s a couple years out because although I appreciate his confidence in trying to take control and start the offence, his decision making in danger areas was a little dull. Sometimes he got lost in transition and left someone open in the slot so I think he needs some time to still develop awareness, but I saw a ton of defensive potential not to mention his surprising offensive power. Other notable was Kyrou, but he also needs to develop his defensive skills quite a bit and limit turnovers. Tbh out of everyone at the prospect tournament, stankoven is the only one that I think has a shot to make the team this year but I think blumel had a solid tournament and as much as I want to see stranges make the team because of his offensive potential and unique skating, his off the puck and defensive awareness isn’t quite to that level but I’m not a scout or anything so I’m not in any position to say if these players are ready or not 😂
These fans who jump on one person (Suter) are only out to hate that person regardless of how he plays, Period. The issue is: Sometimes, things happen, people don't go where they should or where you had anticipated. That's life (Hockey).
People need to understand that the other Team gets paid to play, too. These players are good, too, and will try to get past anybody to get off the shot.
Speaking of good D-men coming our way, Lian Bischel looks very promising. You can see that he loves to be a heavy guy and he loves to skate the puck. Very good selection, IMHO.
Gibson (PTO) for goalie played 2 periods and looked good with the 7 SOG. Remi took over and they combined for the shutout. With a total of 11 SOG for the game the defense looked very good and Nils looked very good. Also Jordie Benn played on a PTO as well.
Bring up the Dumba hit right away… not here to take part here to take over
Why don’t they use Petrovic. He’s a big guy with size and is physical.