The Dallas Stars returned to the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season largely because of their offense, Dallas led the League with 265 goals (3.23 per game).
Offense is supposed to be the Stars' strength again this season. Captain Jamie Benn was second in the League with 89 points last season and has recovered from offseason surgery on a core muscle. Tyler Seguin had 73 points in 72 games and is expected to be ready for the regular-season opener against the Anaheim Ducks on Oct. 13 after he sustained a hairline fracture in his heel playing for Team Canada in a World Cup of Hockey 2016 pretournament game. Center Jason Spezza, who had 63 points in 75 games, said he lost 15 pounds during the offseason and now weighs 210. At 33, he has looked faster and fitter during training camp.
John Klingberg had 58 points last season and has turned into one of the top offensive defensemen in the NHL. Forward Jiri Hudler, who set personal NHL bests two seasons ago with the Calgary Flames by finishing with 31 goals and 76 points, signed as a free agent.
Hudler could replace the production expected from restricted free agent Valeri Nichushkin, who signed with CSKA Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League on Sept. 20.
The Stars also are missing center Cody Eakin and forward Mattias Janmark. Eakin is out until November because of a knee injury, and Janmark will miss 5-6 months and could be out for the season after having surgery to correct a joint disorder in his knee.
The Stars have reshuffled the deck on defense after the departures of Alex Goligoski, Jason Demers and Kris Russell. Dan Hamhuis signed a two-year contract July 1 to fill a veteran role alongside Johnny Oduya and Jordie Benn, but the rest of the defensemen will be young. Klingberg (24), Stephen Johns (24), Jamie Oleksiak (23), Patrik Nemeth (24), and Esa Lindell (22) are younger than 25.
Hamhuis is expected to help solidify a defense that allowed 228 goals last season, and Dallas coach Lindy Ruff expects Klingberg to evolve into a better all-around defenseman in his third NHL season.
The goaltending will be a time-share between Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi. Each won 25 games last season and combined for a .906 save percentage. The goaltending woes were highlighted during the playoffs when the Lehtonen-Niemi combination was outplayed against the Blues and led to speculation Dallas could look to upgrade at the position if the opportunity presents itself.
