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Mohammad Bakhach
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The Five Biggest Surprises of Dallas’ Season so Far
The Dallas Stars struggled out of the gate this season, but they have found a way to look more like themselves over the last month. Improved overall play has helped the Stars climb back into the playoff picture.
They still have a lot of work to do and 40 games to do it in, but things are at least looking more hopeful than in November. Previously, I took a look at the five biggest disappointments of the Dallas Stars’ season midway through the 2014-2015 season. This time, we will take a look at the five best surprises of the season in no particular order.
1.Tyler Seguin
Not only has Seguin been the revelation the Stars hoped for when they traded for him, but he has even taken that a step further. Seguin set career highs last season in goals, assists, points, shots and power play points. He is on pace to do even better this season. Night in and night out, Seguin shows the hockey world his potential with his speed and skill. He leads the league in goals with 26 and is tied for third in points with 48, just four behind the league leader, Jakub Voraceck.
Just when things seemed like they couldn’t get any better, Seguin has taken steps to being a better all-around center. He has shown a strengthened commitment and efficiency on defense. He is hustling back defensively and covering for pinching defensemen more often and more responsibly. Seguin’s faceoff numbers have improved from 41.5% last season to over 50% this season.
Just when it seemed like Seguin couldn’t be anymore impressive or offer any more surprises, he shows that he wants to be more than just an offensive threat. He understands that his production helps, but being a better player overall will lead to more individual and team success. The Stars can’t really ask for more from Seguin.
2. John Klingberg
Since he burst onto the scene in November and has been the biggest surprise on the blue line for Dallas. The Stars were desperate for a right-handed shot on the blue line. They needed a defenseman who could skate and move the puck well. They needed a defensively poised and responsible player who could also be an offensive threat. They needed one of their young defensemen to step up and show they belonged in the NHL. The Stars got all that in 22-year-old Klingberg.
Klingberg commanded some attention at last season’s training camp, but there was no room for him in the NHL and a year of extra seasoning in Sweden would do him good. In September, Klingberg stood out as a prospect nearly there, almost ready to make the jump. Maybe a little added size or seasoning would do the trick. He was sent down to the AHL, and that is exactly what happened.
Klingberg got his first call-up on November 9 and hasn’t looked back since. He dove right in and registered eight points in his first 11 games. He immediately jumped onto the power play and made a difference. At times, he seemed to be the team’s best defenseman. That’s right. A 22-year-old playing in the NHL for the first time vaulted over experienced and young defensemen alike. After a two-goal performance against the Ottawa Senators Tuesday night, Klingberg now has six goals and 15 points in 28 games.
More impressive than his production are his skill and poise. His skating, patience and vision are exhilarating to watch, and his stretch passes are something to behold. He skates and moves the puck effortlessly and can create something out of nothing on nearly every shift. Due to the way he plays, his lanky 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame doesn’t seem out of place in the NHL at all. Instead of him fighting with fellow youngsters Jyrkki Jokipakka and Jamie Oleksiak for playing time, Klingberg established himself as a staple in the lineup, and the Stars are better for it.
3. Jamie Oleksiak
Another surprise on defense. Finally, Oleksiak is playing closer to his potential. After over three rough seasons, he has finally earned himself some staying power in Dallas. Over the last few weeks, Oleksiak has played his best hockey in the NHL. He played more physical, aggressive hockey and used his size to his advantage during last season’s run to the Calder Cup with the Texas Stars.
It took Oleksiak a while, but he is showing more poise with the puck and better defensive play. He is using his big 6-foot-7, 250-pound frame more often in clearing the front of the net and along the boards. He has greatly improved at knowing when to pinch and when to track back. He has to continue to improve as he battles Jordie Benn and David Schlemko for ice time.
4. Brett Ritchie
Stars fans have been waiting a while for Ritchie to get his chance and it finally came this season. Ritchie was expected to have a good training camp and possibly challenge for a roster spot in the preseason, but a broken finger held him back and forced him to start the season in the AHL. In 22 games with the Texas Stars, Ritchie registered 11 goals, seven assists, 99 shots and was a +10. The 21-year-old has shown exactly what he is capable of in his first seven games in the NHL with three goals and an assist.
Ritchie started off with a goal in his first NHL game and two points in his second. He has played so well, he has skated with Seguin and Jamie Benn on the team’s top line. He even replaced Roussel as the net presence player on the top power play unit. Ritchie has shown he is more than jus a goal scorer. He displayed his passing ability on his first NHL assist with a no-look through the legs back pass to set up Vernon Fiddler. He can forecheck, and he can throw some punishing hits. Ritchie was definitely worth the wait.
Brett Ritchie does not look out of place on the 1st line. Right Handed power forward with Seguin and Benn? Me likey mucho
— Bruce LeVine (@BruceLeVinePuck) January 7, 2015
5. Antoine Roussel
Antoine Roussel’s production has been a pleasant surprise this season. (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)
It’s incredible how much better the 25-year-old Frenchman gets every season. He earned a roster spot in the 2012-2013 season through his grit, nastiness and glimpses of offensive abilities. He followed that up last season with a much more pesky edge to his game and doubled his production with 14 goals and 29 points in 81 games while racking up 209 penalty minutes. So far through 42 games, Roussel has 10 goals and 20 points. He is on pace to shatter his career highs in goals, assists, points and shots.
Roussel has played with more discipline this season. His bad penalty habits have dissipated and it shows with only 86 penalty minutes so far this season. He is playing smarter while maintaining his relentless hustle. He is also a big part of Dallas’ penalty kill as he is always one of the first four forwards out. To see Roussel go from a pesky bottom-six player without discipline to a strong, hard-working dependable second or third line role with added production is a blessing for the Stars.
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