Dallas Stars: A Look At The All-Star Selections
By Cole Mentzel
It’s almost time for another NHL All-Star game and the Dallas Stars will have three members of their franchise involved in the event.
The Dallas Stars have been one of the biggest surprises in the NHL this season. At the halfway point in the season, the Stars were 28-9-4 with 60 points, their second-best start in franchise history and just one point behind the 1998-99 team.
There has obviously been plenty to root for throughout the season and a few individuals have led the way. Let’s take a deeper look at the Stars’ All-Star selections and why they were chosen to compete in the game.
Jamie Benn
Stats at the halfway point:
- Goals: 24
- Assists: 28
- Points: 52
Jamie Benn has simply been sensational through the first half of the 2015-16 season. After he secured the Art Ross Trophy in the final regular season game last year, some questioned whether or not he could back it up this season. He has exceeded his expectations and a case could be made for him as the best player in the NHL.
It’s pretty remarkable that he has 24 goals already since his total in 2014-15 was 35. He is on pace to break the 50-goal mark for the Stars for the first time since Mike Modano‘s 50-goal season back in 1993-94. Benn is currently in the top-five in almost every major offensive statistical category in the NHL. That includes: goals (1st), assists (5th), points (2nd), +/- (3rd), power play goals (3rd) and short-handed goals (4th).
Benn has continued to show why he is one of the best leaders and captains in the league. His playmaking compares to no other player in the NHL and he will continue to leave his mark on the Dallas Stars with his leadership and poise capable of guiding a team to success.
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Tyler Seguin
Stats at the halfway point:
- Goals: 23
- Assists: 27
- Points: 50
Since Tyler Seguin was traded to the Dallas Stars back in the summer of 2013, he has been nothing less than spectacular.
He saw his offensive totals rise significantly after his last full season in 2011-12 and he rose to true stardom, pairing with Jamie Benn on the Stars’ top line.
Just like Benn, Seguin is on pace to finish with nearly 50 goals on the season and he has been right in the middle of Art Ross conversations along with Benn and Patrick Kane. He is another critical piece of the Stars’ power play and he uses his speed to skate past defenders and score electrifying goals.
Seguin stays close behind Benn in most statistical categories and he will be in the mix for a few awards himself once the season is over.
Lindy Ruff and one notable snub
Since being hired by the Dallas Stars in 2013, Lindy Ruff has formed a great atmosphere in Dallas. A lot of credit has to be given to him for guiding the Stars to such a hot start. For that reason, he was selected to coach the Central Division in the All-Star game. If he is able to keep the Stars going after the break, Ruff would be a huge threat to win the Jack Adams Award, which is the coach of the year honor.
One notable snub for the Stars was defenseman John Klingberg. Since a breakout year in 2014-15, Klingberg has elevated to the status of “elite defenseman” in the NHL and is second in points to only Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators. As the Western Conference’s best defenseman so far, it was surprising to see that he had not been selected to join his three-on-three overtime buddies, Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.
Next: What's The Expectation For The Stars This Year?
As their incredible season continues to roll on, the Stars will look to build momentum with every win they get. Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin are getting more recognition than ever from around the NHL and it’s no mistake that the best duo in the league will be teaming up in the All-Star game in late January.