Speculation: 2018 Stars Off-Season Thread

[BfantZ]

I think he’s still a really good defenseman and there’s not a ton of right handed defenseman better at defending than him but the contract is just too long . We can more than afford it next year if we lose spezza and hanzal but would be in a whole down the road .

 

[Mr Misty]

Maybe sit out a couple of plays? Reflect a little, catch your breath and whatnot.

 

[Magic Mittens]

Absolutely not. Bloated contract, way too slow, doesn't really have much hockey left in him. Certainly isn't the direction we want to be going. I also don't want to give Chicago any relief for the mess they've put themselves in - anything that keeps them at the bottom of the division is fine by me.

I've been away for a while, obviously, but is Hanzal basically a write-off now due to injuries?

I have a hard time believing Hanzal will be able to play again pain free, but I can't remembe if it was Heika or Shapiro that was saying Hanzal is finally pain free and feels great. So who knows

 

[Troy McClure]

I have a hard time believing Hanzal will be able to play again pain free, but I can't remembe if it was Heika or Shapiro that was saying Hanzal is finally pain free and feels great. So who knows

Yeah, right after surgery and rehab while no longer participating in a contact sport may well feel pain free today. There's no way it lasts. The only question with him is how many weeks he spends on IR.

 

[serp]

Hanzal on IR for the rest of his contract is better than Seabrook and his monster.

 

[Kcb12345]

Definitely no to Seabrook.

I'm happy to hear about the Nichushkin signing and really look forward to him coming back. We needed more speed.

 

[BfantZ]

Who do we think would be a good defenseman to go after ? Or is honka or johns are top 4 Defenseman ? risky move bringing in heiskanen to play with such a young d core .

 

[BrettHullsToe]

Who do we think would be a good defenseman to go after ? Or is honka or johns are top 4 Defenseman ? risky move bringing in heiskanen to play with such a young d core .

Just re-sign Hamhuis or Pateryn if all that's needed is a short-term insurance defenseman - no need to spend assets acquiring one unless a good 2nd-pairing RD is available for cheap.

 

[FirstRowUpperDeck]

I think we roll with Methot and kids. Maybe keep Patyrn. Could go after equivalent of we don't like him. But bottom pair or press box. We hired a guy to coach the kids. Do that. We hired a coach to play fast, after a one year debacle experiment of playing slower hitch hockey. Fitness and youth or speed won't make any more mistakes than old and slow.....

 

[AveryStar4Eva]

With Hanzal we need to be prepared for the very real possibility of him no longer being able to play. I hope I’m wrong and he comes back strong. My ideal lines;

Benn - Seguin - Nichushkin
UFA - Spezza - Radulov
Hintz - Faksa - Janmark
Shore - Dickinson- Pitlick
Smith - Elie

I put UFA because I don’t want to break the bank on a player unless they are 100% worth the term. We might even be better off with someone like Nash/Grabner in the bottom six and Janmark/Hintz with Spezza.

Nuke on the top like because those two produce no matter who they are with. Nuke can keep up with the puck, possess it, and is a good playmaker. Second line needs Radulov.

I really hope Hanzal comes back healthy. When he’s one he is an elite 3C which would be hugely valueable on the fourth line.

 

[Kcb12345]

With Hanzal we need to be prepared for the very real possibility of him no longer being able to play. I hope I’m wrong and he comes back strong. My ideal lines;

Benn - Seguin - Nichushkin
UFA - Spezza - Radulov
Hintz - Faksa - Janmark
Shore - Dickinson- Pitlick
Smith - Elie

I put UFA because I don’t want to break the bank on a player unless they are 100% worth the term. We might even be better off with someone like Nash/Grabner in the bottom six and Janmark/Hintz with Spezza.

Nuke on the top like because those two produce no matter who they are with. Nuke can keep up with the puck, possess it, and is a good playmaker. Second line needs Radulov.

I really hope Hanzal comes back healthy. When he’s one he is an elite 3C which would be hugely valueable on the fourth line.

I wouldn't mind that lineup depending on who that UFA is. I hope Hanzal can come back too though, but it's just impossible to tell at this point. If he could amazingly come back healthy then he could be a very valuable player to the team.

 

[Kcb12345]

With Hanzal we need to be prepared for the very real possibility of him no longer being able to play. I hope I’m wrong and he comes back strong. My ideal lines;

Benn - Seguin - Nichushkin
UFA - Spezza - Radulov
Hintz - Faksa - Janmark
Shore - Dickinson- Pitlick
Smith - Elie

I put UFA because I don’t want to break the bank on a player unless they are 100% worth the term. We might even be better off with someone like Nash/Grabner in the bottom six and Janmark/Hintz with Spezza.

Nuke on the top like because those two produce no matter who they are with. Nuke can keep up with the puck, possess it, and is a good playmaker. Second line needs Radulov.

I really hope Hanzal comes back healthy. When he’s one he is an elite 3C which would be hugely valueable on the fourth line.

For me, in an ideal world, we sign Kovalchuk to a 2 or so year deal to fill that UFA spot. Probably won't happen though if he really does wanna go around the NY area.

 

[AveryStar4Eva]

For me, in an ideal world, we sign Kovalchuk to a 2 or so year deal to fill that UFA spot. Probably won't happen though if he really does wanna go around the NY area.

Kovy is the dream signing for me. Him and Spezza together would be dirty

 

[Kcb12345]

Kovy is the dream signing for me. Him and Spezza together would be dirty

Agreed. Then throw Radulov on that wing too? Wow. If Spezza actually plays good next year, and if we sign Kovy, that's 2 first lines. Easily. 2 4th lines turned into 2 1st lines would be a pretty good transition between seasons if you ask me, without spending a single asset.

 

[AveryStar4Eva]

Agreed. Then throw Radulov on that wing too? Wow. If Spezza actually plays good next year, and if we sign Kovy, that's 2 first lines. Easily. 2 4th lines turned into 2 1st lines would be a pretty good transition between seasons if you ask me, without spending a single asset.

That what I was thinking. Give that line more sheltered more sheltered minutes with heavy offensive zone starts (Seguin and Faksa line are more than capable in the defencive zone). Wouldn’t be shocked to see the whole line surpass 55 points.

 

[BfantZ]

If we sign Kovy I’d almost wanna try him with seguin and radulov and have hintz or spezza center benn and nuke . Having the one two punch of benn or seguin on the ice most of the game would be huge . When hitch spread out the top line last year the whole team looked a lot better and if we sign a good winger like kovy or jvr it will be even easier to spread out the talent .

 

[FirstRowUpperDeck]

Haven't heard any scuttlebutt about Stars being interested in Kovi. Doesn't seem to fit with youth movement.

Plus, he and Spezza together would be sloooooooowwwww

 

[Smelling Salt]

Haven't heard any scuttlebutt about Stars being interested in Kovi. Doesn't seem to fit with youth movement.

Plus, he and Spezza together would be sloooooooowwwww

Lebrun mentioned it in an Athletic piece.

Not sure I really want Kovy. I'd like a JVR/Hoffman(well..)/Stone/Galchenyuk etc kind of player depending price/trade cost.

Then fill out the team with someone like Petan from the Jets if Chevy would trade within the division. No risk other than probably a draft pick, and high reward. And more skill which the Stars desperately need, for cheap.

 

[BfantZ]

When asked about kovalchuk nill said he’s kicking tires on everything . So sounds like he’s had discussions .

 

[Satan]

Kovalchuk or bust imo

 

[serp]

It would be cool if we get Kovy but i don't think we're very high on his list. I could be wrong but there's too many reports that Dallas is probably a longshot in the race for him.

 

[MBTendy]

Jamie just followed Ilya on instagram. #confirmed

 

[Troy McClure]

I'm not excited about adding another elderly player in NHL terms, but there's no denying he's a million times better than any of the other spares the Stars have in their system.

 

[BfantZ]

He’s better than janmark who was our Next best forward behind radulov . Would say he’s a lock for 25 goals , 40-50 points at least , but wouldnt be surprised if he still puts up 30-35 goals on a top loaded team like the stars . Seguin benn rads with klinger and kovy on the point would be a lethal pp.

 

[FirstRowUpperDeck]

Well, GM Jim does love his UFA and if he knows Hanzel will be LTIRR it might be possible. He does surprise. I don't recall hearing much about Stars and Rads (other than trade rumors on sites like this one) until the tweet came that Rads had signed here. Also seems like Benn followed Rads for a few days before the signing, which might means there are at least talks.

After last years UFA signings, I am not sure Galardi will have such an open checkbook for more old guys, but who knows. Would Kovy mean we have to have a sub million back up goalie instead of a vet? Are they getting at all comfy with McKenna being a 1-2 year back up until the kids are ready after his stint in DFW and his playoff run? If not, I think they want to spend a bit more on goalie than high priced possible 20 goal scorers.