2014-15 record: 41-31-10 (92 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: Jamie Benn
How does the second best offense manage to miss the playoffs? If you're the Dallas Stars, you negate that with a defense that tied for 26th. To fix that problem, the Stars will now have more than $10 million tied to its goaltending, as Antti Niemi joins Kari Lehtonen in goal. That's one goalie who posted a respectable 2.59 GAA, but could never get his team over the hump when it counted the most and another goalie that posted a dreadful 2.94 GAA, numbers that would have been at home on last year's Edmonton Oilers squad. Of course, some of the problem can also be tied to the longstanding problem of the blue line that hasn't been able to identify a number one defender. That doesn't figure to change anytime soon, although Johnny Oduya is a slight upgrade over Trevor Daley and Stephen Johns could get a look as a sixth or seventh defenseman. At least John Klingenberg broke through last season and he figures to replace Daley's production easily.
Offense is where there is no problem, as returning Art Ross Trophy winner Jamie Benn returns along with Tyler Seguin. Along with Jason Spezza, they will be joined by recent Stanley Cup winner Patrick Sharp and a healthy Valeri Nichushkin, who could be the next big star in Dallas.
Prediction: 5th in the Central Division
The Dallas Stars have the offense to be Stanley Cup contenders, but until questions about their defense and goaltending are answered, the Stars will have a hard time moving in the tough Central Division.
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