Comeau believes Stars have 'all pieces' to make playoff run

Blake Comeau had a list of priorities as he hit the free-agent market earlier this summer. And like anybody looking to relocate for a new job, he did some research before agreeing with the Dallas Stars on a
three-year deal worth $2.4 million per season
.
"I've had a couple of friends that have played there, and they said the city of Dallas was a great place to play, great fans," Comeau said. "I have a young family, and they said it was great for families as well."

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And family was a key consideration for the 32-year-old forward who has two daughters, one five years old and the other two.
"You realize the importance of having some stability and being in one spot that is familiar to them," Comeau said. "That was important to me. The three years is something that I was looking for, and I was very happy that it was Dallas."
There was the hockey side of the decision as well. Comeau, who helped Colorado make the playoffs last season, was looking to go to a team where he had a chance to win. And although the Stars missed the postseason in 2017-18, Comeau believes the pieces are in place in Dallas.
"Obviously, playing against the Stars, they have some really good players. To be honest, I was really surprised they didn't make the playoffs last year. It was really appealing to go there, and I hope I can fit in there, help where I can and get back in the playoffs with them," Comeau said.

"There were some teams that wanted to talk in the free-agency period, and I said I just wasn't interested -- just didn't want to waste their time or my time. Some of the teams, I didn't think, we're in the 'win now' mode, maybe were in a bit of a transitional phase. That wasn't something that was appealing to me. It was important to me that I am on a team that I think can win. Dallas has all those pieces."
The Stars had their list of priorities as well as they looked to fill out their roster during the offseason. With Antoine Roussel
departing via free agency
and signing with Vancouver, the Stars thought Comeau would be a good fit.
"I had a good feel for what we were going to be losing," said Stars general manager Jim Nill. "Antoine Roussel has been a big part of this franchise for a long time. When you lose those types of players, along with their veteran presence, and I knew we had a good group of young kids coming in, you've still got to have some guys in your dressing room that have been through the wars and know what to do when things are tough."
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Comeau was the second-oldest player on Colorado last season, an Avalanche team that was among the youngest in the NHL. And he received high marks for his veteran presence from Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog as the Avalanche headed into last season's playoffs.
"It's hard to describe what (Comeau) means to us as such a young group," Landeskog
told the Denver Post
. "He's a good guy for me as well to bounce some ideas off and talk about certain things."
Comeau has played 720 NHL games over 12 years with the New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Avalanche.

Dallas likes Comeau's versatility
. The right-handed shooting forward can play either wing and slot in anywhere in the lineup. He can check, he can pop in some goals, and he's a good penalty killer.
"I see a role similar to what I had in Colorado," Comeau said. "A physical, two-way player. I can play up and down the lineup. I can play both wings and don't have a preference in that sense. Hopefully, I can add to the penalty kill. We had a really good penalty kill in Colorado, and I was a big part of that."
Colorado's penalty kill ranked fourth in the league last season, and Comeau led all Avalanche forwards in shorthanded ice time. He tied for fifth in the league with three shorthanded goals.
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Overall, Comeau recorded 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists) in 79 games for the Avalanche in 2017-18. Comeau has reached double figures in goals three of the last four seasons, including 16 with Pittsburgh in 2014-15.
"He's been consistent, and that's what you like," Nill said. "There may be an opportunity where he gets to play with some better players, and he might even pop more."
The Stars ranked 18th in scoring last season, and Nill believes the additions of forward Valeri Nichushkin, highly-touted defense prospect Miro Heiskanen, and Comeau will help add some offense. Getting some players, including Jason Spezza, to bounce back from subpar seasons also will help and so will a better power play.

Comeau, who provided good depth scoring for an Avalanche team that ranked 10th in scoring last season, is ready to do his part with the Stars.
"Dallas has an outstanding number one line with Benn, Seguin, and Radulov, some great pieces on the back end as well and a great goaltender," Comeau said. "So, if I am able to add some depth to their lineup and create some secondary scoring that will take some of the burden off the top line. I think all the teams in the NHL that are successful have a lot of depth and contributions from different guys."
Where Comeau fits in the lineup will be determined down the road and chances are, as Nill mentioned, he could move around the lineup. But one possible option could be that he's a fit for Roussel's old spot on a line with Radek Faksa and Tyler Pitlick.
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"I know (Faksa) is a big body, and he's really hard on the puck playing against him. He got hot there at the end of the season and was contributing offensively as well," Comeau said. "Whoever I play with I know there are a lot of good players top to bottom and if I do end up playing with Radek or whoever, hopefully we can create some secondary scoring and contribute on the special teams as well."
And help the Stars win and get back into the playoffs.
"I am looking forward to getting there," Comeau said, "and contributing where I can."
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. Follow him on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.
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