Despite a slow start from several of the Dallas Stars key players, the team finds itself among the Western Conference contenders yet again. Dallas is 15-5-1 since the beginning of January and has pulled into second place in the Western Conference with 25 games to go. The Stars trail only the Winnipeg Jets, who lead the NHL with 85 points — one more than the Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals.
Most Important Dallas Stars Players
Yet, the Stars goal was not just to compete in the Western Conference again but rather to finally take home an elusive second Stanley Cup. If the team wishes to complete its mission, these will be some of the most important Stars players the rest of the season.
Forward Jason Robertson
Robertson has become a star for Dallas, but off-season foot surgery derailed the start of his season. He missed all of training camp and had to work through his progressions early in the year. As a result of that and injuries to other top players for Dallas, the chemistry was a bit off.
He scored a goal in the season-opening win against the Nashville Predators. Yet, points were hard to come by for Robertson over the first two months of the season. He had 13 points in Dallas’ first 22 games and only scored one goal the entire month of November.
However, a switch flipped once the calendar turned to 2025. Robertson amassed 21 points (11 goals and 10 assists) in 15 games in January and has 12 points in his last 19 games. He even had a hat trick in Sunday’s win over the New York Islanders and is now tied for the team lead with 23 goals. Robertson’s emergence at this point in the season has given the Stars a huge boost. Their chances of winning escalate when he is playing at his current level.
Forward Wyatt Johnston
Similarly, the season did not start how Johnston had hoped. After beginning his career with back-to-back seasons with at least 24 goals, the 21-year-old was expected to take over for his mentor, Joe Pavelski, beside Robertson and Roope Hintz on Dallas first line.
While he has spent time at the top and will continue to get some opportunities there, Johnston has bounced around the lineup. He seems to have settled back into his previous role as the third-line centre. His presence at that spot deepens Dallas’ lineup offensively and gives the Stars three legitimate weapons at the centre position going forward.
Johnston turned a corner in December and has 37 points in his last 35 games, including a hat trick on January 28. If Dallas wants to reach its full potential and have consistency on offence, Johnston is an essential component.
Forward Logan Stankoven
Stankoven has been good this year, but many expected him to be great. The coaches have been pleased with his work on the ice as he does the little things right, but finding his scoring touch could help put the Stars over the top. The 21-year-old has just four goals this season, well below what was expected even as he played along the team’s best.
Stankoven was a healthy scratch for the first time this season against the Islanders. He has just seven points since the beginning of January. Hopefully, the move to rest him works and he can start to contribute at a high rate once again. Dallas needs him to keep its lineup as deep as it likes.
Forward Matt Duchene
The Stars brought Duchene back as a free agent this off-season and the move has paid off. The 34-year-old leads the team in points and is tied for the team lead in goals. He is also the only member of the projected second line who has not missed a game this season. His veteran presence and leadership and consistent availability have been his best traits in his Dallas tenure, and he has backed it up with his skill.
Duchene is on track to finish his first two seasons in Dallas among the team’s most productive forwards. He gives Dallas three legitimate centres to surround with its other talented forwards. Yet, his most significant impact may come in the playoffs.
Defenceman Thomas Harley
Harley has quickly gained the trust of Dallas’ coaching staff with his play. Part of that was being thrown into some situations because of injuries, but he has solidified himself as the team’s No. 2 defenceman behind Miro Heiskanen. Unfortunately, Heiskanen is now one of those injured defencemen who will miss a significant chunk of time.
That means Harley could be asked to step up even more alongside Esa Lindell or Codi Ceci. Harley impressed during the Four Nations Face-Off and now returns as one of the most important Dallas Stars players along the blueline.
Forward Mikael Granlund
Granlund’s addition deepens the Stars’ lineup in multiple ways. He can play centre and on the wing, giving Dallas plenty of flexibility with which to use him. He also has experience as both a top-six and bottom-six forward and has played with Matt Duchene at previous stops.
Granlund is another veteran leader added to a locker room that has done well with mixing experience and youth over the years. His impact could help determine how far Dallas goes. He has already made his presence felt with four points in six games with his new club, although he has yet to score a goal for Dallas.
Defenceman Cody Ceci
The other part of the recent trade with the San Jose Sharks brought a much needed defenceman to Dallas. The Stars have had their share of injuries on the blueline. Plus, less-than-ideal play from some other members opened a need on the back end.
No, Ceci is not going to be a perfect fill-in for the injured Miro Heiskanen. The hope is that Dallas can piece together a solid defence from what it has or another trade emerges. While not a top-pair defender, Ceci has the experience and skill set to at least help there. Anything more is just a bonus.
Defencemen Matthew Dumba & Brendan Smith
The two free-agent aquisitions have largely disappointed thus far, totaling eight points with no goals between them. Scoring isn’t the be-all-end-all for defencemen, but Dallas had to have expected more out of these veterans when it brought them in.
At this rate, the Stars may be better off turning to younger guys within the organization. However, as long as the duo remains in the lineup, they are both among the most important Dallas Stars players.
Goaltender Jake Oettinger
Jake Oettinger may be the single most important Dallas Stars player going forward. The goaltender has had a great season, earning the second-most wins in the NHL and allowing the sixth-fewest goals against. One could easily make the argument that he has kept the team afloat as it searches for consistency.
But the most important factor here is one Stars’ fans probably do not want to think about: what happens to the Stars’ season without Oettinger? Last year, Scott Wedgewood filled in admirably for about a month, but new backup Casey DeSmith has not been as good. God forbid anything happens to Oettinger; the Stars season goes down the toilet in a hurry, barring a major trade.
Main Photo: Brad Penner- Imagn Images
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