Summary
Dallas had a pretty rough year. While many thought the team could contend for a top spot in the west at the start of the season the team really struggled out of the blocks and was sitting in 14th in the west with a dismal 6-13-3 (34%) record when I took over the team in early December (GM #3 for the season!). As you might expect, a lot of roster changes were made in an effort to better position the team for the 2011-2012 season. As a result, Dallas made a good number of trades between December and April and dramatically reshaped its CPHL roster.
While the roster shake up seemed to help the teams on ice performance, going 30-25-5 (54%) since I took over. The team was ultimately unable to make up any significant ground in the standings and finished amongst the leagues basement dwellers.
Looking forward
I have tried pretty hard to assemble a younger core for the Stars and I think for the most part I have accomplished that. The team is an average of 3 years younger now then it was when I took over. This focus on youth has not come with a significant reduction in average player rating as that has only dropped about .90, although I am confident that once player re-rates are complete my team will be better rated on average. I also generally ‘like’ my core players a lot more then when I took over the team, so at least I move forward with players I like if nothing else.
Dallas will continue to build around its youth in 2011-2012. Players like Krejci, Yandle, Neal, JVR and Raymond should help this team make a significant step forward next season. The playoffs are without a doubt the goal. We are expecting players like Weiss, Vermette, Bouwmeester and Hiller to continue their solid play and leadership. Dallas does not have a lot of young players that will challenge for a CPHL spot next season; however players like Ericsson, Sauer may push for the 5-6 D spot.
Prospects of note
• Jacob Markstrom (G)
o Will be graduating to the pro ranks this season. He is likely bound for the AHL but could challenge for the backup role with the main club.
o Coming off an injury filled season last season in the AHL, Markstrom is looking to rebound from Knee Surgery challenge for an NHL job.
• Richard Bachman (G)
o Coming off a very strong season in the AHL (real-life) and may also challenge to backup Hiller.
• Mattias Ekholm (D)
o Won the SEL rookie of the year in 2010-2011 and is ready to graduate to the pros, likely grabbing one of the defensive roles vacated by Ericsson or Sauer. There is an outside chance that Ekholm makes the move to North America this year and joins the Predators but it’s more likely that he will remain for another year in the SEL.
• Jacob Josefson (C)
o bounced between the NHL and AHL this last season but finished the year really strong and was one of NJD better players down the stretch. Look for Josefson to be a full-time NHL player for the devils next season playing a 6-9F two-way game.
• Other players to keep an eye on:
o J.P. Anderson (G) OHL
o Braydon McNabb (D) WHL
o Brandon Pirri (C) AHL
Heading into the Draft.
3rd rounder X 3
4th rounder X 2
5th rounder X 2
Dallas does not have a pick in the first 2 rounds. We will make an effort to change that prior to the draft though so we’ll see if we have any success. While we don’t expect this draft to be laden with top-end talent we think it is deep to the 3rd round or so. The Organization has been hard at work scouting and ranking players particularly those in the late rounds so Dallas is hopeful a gem or two will be selected.
UFA Signings
Dallas has a lot of RFA players that will need very large raises. Consequently, we don’t anticipate having very much wiggle room for any UFA players of note. That said, we will likely try our hand for a couple role players.
Thanks to all the other GMs for making the league a lot of fun and keeping it so active! I had a blast in my 1/2 season of work and am really looking forward to being involved for a full season come the fall.
Dallas Stars post-season review
