We’re previewing the rest of the Central Division for the coming season, but we’re just going to give you bite-size pieces because… the Blackhawks aren’t likely going to compete for a playoff spot this year. The Dallas Stars are a fascinating proposition because they’re projected anywhere between a fringe playoff team and a lottery lock. And they traded their first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft to the Rangers for defenseman Nils Lundkvist (top-ten protected).
How will they do?
IneffectiveMath Projection: 92.0 (5th in Central)
JFresh Projection: 91 (6th in Central)
The Athletic Projection: 96.8 (4th in Central)
DraftKings Over/Under: 9.5 (t4th in Central)
What’d I Miss?
The Stars needed until Oct. 5 to get their best player, Jason Robertson, signed on the dotted line. However, while many of the league’s young stars have lined up eight-year deals recently, Robertson opted for only four years and only got $7.75M per. Both the term and the dollars are lower than I think most expected to see here, and it took a long time to work something, so let’s keep an eye on this relationship.
Dallas did bring in a nice addition up front in Mason Marchment, who cashed in a career year in a big way. But the Robertson deal pushed the Stars above the salary cap for a few days.
The Stars also decided to hold on to defenseman John Klingberg at the trade deadline, only to lose him as a free agent.