Despite Defensive Woes, Stars Show Promise

For a blog that covers hockey in Texas, I’ll sadly admit that I touch on our very own Dallas Stars only occasionally.  There are several reasons for this, not one of them being that I don’t want to talk about them.  As most of my friends and family will gladly tell you, I’m a big, big Stars fan and really love talking about the team.  Even (and especially) when that team is struggling, as the Stars have at times this season.  The biggest reason I don’t talk about the games regularly is that it’s already done so well in several places.  Both Defending Big D and TheOther6Seconds are BDH favorites for Stars coverage, and give great insight to all things Dallas Stars.

But, that doesn’t mean I won’t indulge myself from time to time and put out some opinionated insight on the Dallas Stars.

This last week, watching the Stars has been difficult.  It seems like a roller coaster ride whenever they’re on the ice.  One minute they’re scoring two or three goals on a tough defense, and the next they’re allowing teams to get set up at will in the Stars’ defensive zone, and giving those goals right back.  Putting aside the problems I have with the team right now, I still think there’s a lot to like and be excited about.

First and foremost, two words – James Neal.  I said before the season started that this was going to be a big year for Neal, and he has made a soothsayer out of me.  Last season he put up some very respectable numbers:  24 goals and 13 assists in 77 games.  Through 26 games this season, he’s already matched his assists total with 13, and has 13 goals thus far.  He’s on pace for about 40 goals and 40 assists if he continues at this pace and can stay healthy to play the remaining games.  That’s a pretty fantastic sophomore season.

Secondly – Loui Eriksson.  He’s showing that last season was no abberation, as he’s putting up strong numbers again this year.  Eriksson has 9 goals and 16 assists through 30 games this year.  He may or may not post final numbers like his terrific 2008-09 season (36 goals, 27 assists), but he’s certainly showing the same talent at scoring and passing that he did last year.

Third – Brad Richards.  B-Rad is finally looking like the center who was responsible for making Vinny Lacavalier look so good in Tampa Bay.  The injuries that plagued him for all of last season (and even after the trade deadline in 2008 when the Stars acquired him) are gone, and Richards is returning to his previous form.  He leads the team with 35 points (9 goals, 26 assists), which is only 13 points shy of what he did in twice as many games last year.  I’m hoping he can continue the strong play, because he’s a legitimate candidate for a 100-point season if he does, and we don’t see those here in Dallas very often.

Finally – the Defense.  Yes, I know…you’re probably shaking your head and writing me off right now.  But hear me out.  If I’m making a list of things that the Stars need more than anything else, a couple of top pair defensemen will be at the head of that list.  And a big highlight on at least one true #1 defenseman.  But.  The truth is, there have been some flashes of promise in the younger guys.  Both Nicklas Grossman and Mark Fistric have looked solid in the majority of their ice time.  Grossman is starting to embrace his role as a physical blueliner, and has taken the body a lot more this season.  Fistric can move the puck, and has limited the number of bad decisions he’s made when he has it, compared to last season.  Stephane Robidas is…well…he’s Stephane Robidas.  He’s proving why he’s worthy of the long term contract he signed earlier this year, and doing his best to be a leader on D.  All of these things give me hope for Dallas’ defense, when there’s plenty of doom-and-gloom out there.

The Stars may not be a legitimate Cup contender this year.  I mean, if they keep chasing down the record for most overtime “consolation” points in a season, they’re going to put themselves out of running for the playoffs by late March!  But, rebuilding is a process.  Mike Heika at the Dallas Morning News and Brandon Worley over at Defending Big D have both touched upon those points already in previous blogs.  Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither were the 1999 Dallas Stars.  Nor will be the next Dallas Stars champion team.  But, I think there’s lots of promise already, and that’s a great place to start.