The Rick Bowness era is officially over in Dallas and Monday’s tilt solidified it with a 4-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets who are now officially stuck in the Bones era themselves. In just three games the Stars have matched their goal total from the first seven games of the ’21-’22 NHL season with 13 goals. You read that right, in just three games the Stars scored 13 goals. This team is unlike any Stars team we have seen in recent memory. But, why?
Head Coach Pete DeBoer
First and foremost the change in culture and style has become blatantly apparent almost immediately with new head coach Pete DeBoer at the helm. DeBoer not only breathed life into the Stars offense early but what he has brought off the ice is apparent as well. On Sunday afternoon the Stars held a skills competition where a team led by Jamie Benn took on a team led by Joe Pavelski. Games like goalies stick taping, hardest shot, and accuracy shooting amongst other competitions. (Team Pavelski took the dub for what it’s worth and Jani Hakanpaa secured the hardest shot and ended up scoring off the same slapshot the day after against the Jets.)
DeBoer has shown that building a team that is close on and off the ice can translate to trust and productivity on the ice. Not to mention, DeBoer enjoys a high-tempo offense like I enjoy a Whataburger Patty Melt meal. If you know, you know.
New Faces in Town
Mason Marchment, Nils Lundkvist, Wyatt Johnston, and Collin Miller are all new to the Dallas Stars this season and have all made an impact seemingly instantly. All players in three games are on the positive side of the +/- and Marchment currently leads the team in points with five. Johnston scored the first goal of his career in the first game of the season, and Lundkvist has an assist as it stands while getting the minutes he believed he deserved in his time with the New York Rangers. It goes without saying that Miller has already found himself on the top defensive pairing with Miro Heiskanen and skates like his life absolutely depended on it.
Every addition has already shown the desire to solidify themselves as key pieces to the Stars success.
Jim Nill Masterclass
I have been ultra critical of Jim Nill at times, no shame in admitting that, but seeing the masterclass Nill put on this offseason I have to admit I love where this team is at currently. Nill was not only to add all the pieces we spoke of above, but Nill also secured Jason Robertson and Jake Oettinger while keeping the Stars under the cap. Stick taps to you Nill, you done good kid. Ya done real good.
Seguin Resurgence and Oettinger Early Dominance
The Tyler Seguin contract is one that most Stars fans cringe at currently as he and Jamie Benn take up roughly 24% of the entire cap space allotted for the Stars. That being said, Seguin is off to a hot start with one goal and three assists in the first three games. Seguin looks completely healthy and ready to earn his contract and if he does, that makes the Stars offense that much more potent with depth, which is something fans have been clamoring for.
Goalie Jake Oettinger is coming off one of the single most impressive playoff performances in recent memory and picking up exactly where he left off. Otter knows that the net is his now and has played up to the task as he has only allowed three goals on 87 shot attempts. Otter not only boasts robust numbers early but his maturation is obvious as he looks more and more comfortable between the pipes. Not jumping first and not panicking, a calm Otter is a dangerous Otter and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
Now, I know it’s only three games into an 82-game season and injuries happen, streaks happen, and dry spells happen, but most Stars fans will tell you this team already looks miles ahead of any team we have skated out in a long while. Buckle up, we are in for a wild ride.
The Morning Skate 