'We won't be giving anyone jobs this year': Players to earn their spots
Rick Bowness' message to the players was concise as the season opener on Oct. 14 approaches
"We won't be giving anyone jobs this year," Bowness said matter-of-factly when asked about the team's depth. "Last year, we had to give guys jobs because of the injuries. If everyone is healthy and with the depth we have now, if anyone gets ice time, they're going to have to earn it. That makes it more of a competitive training camp, which is what we want."
The Stars in 2020-21 had to deal with injuries to several key players, as well as bouts with COVID and a compressed schedule that had them scrambling to put together lineups every game. Yes, they had a six-man taxi squad, and that did make for some convenient decisions, but the bottom line is they simply were trying to survive at times.
The expansion draft forced some changes over the summer that pared down the lineup even more, but the front office then loaded up on veterans to create more depth. Among the players who were brought in are Luke Glendening, Michael Raffl, Jani Hakanpää, Ryan Suter, Braden Holtby, Alexander Petrovic and Andreas Borgman.
It was a coordinated effort between the front office and the coaching staff, and the result - the Stars hope - is that the team will be ready for anything this year.
"Well, the biggest thing I think that we saw last year was when we got those injuries, your depth…you know, we came out of the bubble and then boom, we started the season right away and having those injuries and losing a couple more guys," said Stars general manager Jim Nill of losing Alexander Radulov after 11 games and then having Roope Hintz have to manage an injury throughout the season. "We didn't expect Radulov to be hurt. We didn't think Roope would be hurt. You don't know what tomorrow brings and the more depth you can have, the more people in the right slots, it just makes you a better team."
And that's why they made the depth signings. Now they have veterans and they still have young players pushing to get into the NHL. Yes, the veterans are on one-way contracts and that sort of ensures a spot, but Bowness said the younger players can change minds during the preseason.
Among the candidates to break through are Riley Damiani, Ty Dellandrea, Thomas Harley and even Jake Oettinger. Are the odds against them forcing management to make a tough decision? Sure. Could it happen? Absolutely.
"They have an opportunity to convince us they should be in the lineup, and that's going to continue throughout the year," said Nill. "If you show you can help us win, you're going to get a chance."
That's what happened with Jason Robertson last season. He started as a healthy scratch and then moved up slowly. When Radulov was hurt, Robertson grabbed more minutes. By March, he was averaging 18-20 minutes a night and on his way to 45 points (17 goals, 28 assists) in 51 games.
Hintz had to prove himself, same with Denis Gurianov. Going back a few years, John Klingberg, Esa Lindell and Radek Faksa have gone through the same process. Could it have been accelerated for the younger players this year if they hadn't been placed behind veterans? Possibly. But if they go to the minors, they'll play on a very good team and could have the chance to come back quickly.
Klingberg in 2014 started in the AHL. He tallied 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 10 games and never returned to the minors. Hintz accumulated 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists) in 21 AHL games in 2018 and then took advantage of an injury to Jason Dickinson. He became an NHL staple after that.
So, it definitely happens.
Could it happen this year? The Stars believe that by getting players like Glendening, Raffl and Hakanpaa, they've made their NHL roster better. And if there are injuries, then the players who are waiting to jump up might be the most talented and most prepared in years.
"That was kind of our goal this year," Nill said. "We don't know where COVID is going to go, we don't know where injuries are going to go, so let's give ourselves the best chance, no matter what. We know we've got a good group of young kids coming up. Let's see where they're at. If they earn their spots, great. But we're not going to give them spots."
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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika, and listen to his podcast.
