The Dallas Stars were one of the feel good stories of the NHL over the last 12 months. Unless of course your name happens to be Joe Nieuwendyk or Glenn Gulatzan—the outgoing general manager and coach in 2013.
Jim Nill and Lindy Ruff assumed their positions respectively and guided the Stars back to the playoffs for the 2013-14 season. A spirited first round matchup against the Anaheim Ducks gave a glimpse of what is to come for a franchise on the rise.
This summer the Stars made even more waves with the acquisition of former Ottawa captain Jason Spezza. Dallas made the deal for Spezza while surrendering only Alex Chiasson as the only NHL roster player in return.
While his best days may be behind him, the 31-year old still has plenty left in the tank and immediately improves the stars up the middle. In the center-rich Western Conference, Dallas needed to keep up with the top tier clubs like Anaheim, Chicago, San Jose, Los Angeles and Colorado.
With his number on the decline in Ottawa, it will be interesting to see exactly what the Stars can get from the veteran center. The 2001 number two overall pick is just two years removed from an 84-point season.
A back issue and ultimately surgery derailed the abbreviated 2013 season and could have affected him last year. While he still managed 23 goals and 66 points last year, Spezza has been a point-per-game player in his 12 years.
As a second line center in Dallas, Spezza is projected to be between Ales Hemsky (briefly is teammate in Ottawa) and Colton Sceviour, who will be elevated to the NHL after showing great promise with the AHL affiliate and Calder Cup champions in 2014.
In 54 games with the Austin based club Sceviour scored 32 goals in 53 games before being called up to the parent club. A full season on the left wing of a top-level center could make for a breakout season for the youngster.
Meanwhile on the right wing, Hemsky signed as a free agent in large part because of Spezza’s arrival in Texas. The shifty Czech winger had been toiling in Edmonton, where careers go to die, before getting amnesty from a trade with Ottawa. On Spezza’s wing the chemistry was immediate and Hemsky improved his free agent standing, registering 17 points in 20 games.
The move is good for Spezza on many levels, the least of which will be the scrutiny (or lack of) he is under to lead Dallas. The Stars already have their captain in place and the youngsters can only benefit from having a seasoned star like Spezza in the fold. With the microscope of the Canadian press in the rear view mirror, look for him to bust out some big numbers again.