Dallas Stars: Three Things To Expect This Summer

After a much improved 2015-16 campaign, the Dallas Stars will look to reload for next season. Take a look at three things you should expect this summer.

The Dallas Stars’ 2015-16 season came to an end after a hard-fought, seven-game series with the St. Louis Blues.

It was a year of improvement for the team as they were able to secure the most points in the West (109) for the fourth time in franchise history, their eighth division title and their first trip to the second round of the playoffs since the 2007-08 season.

Now, the focus switches back to the summer, where they’ve acquired pieces to improve their team  in each of the last three years.

Let’s take a look at three things you should expect to see this summer:

1. Jamie Benn will most likely receive a contract extension with the Dallas Stars.

Jamie Benn is signed through the 2016-17 season but he has expressed his interest in getting an extension taken care of this summer so he won’t have to worry about becoming a free agent in 2017 (via sportsnet.ca):

"“This is where I want to play, this is where I want to be. I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”"

As the captain of the team, Benn has gotten better each season he’s been a Dallas Star and is now considered to be one of the best players in the entire NHL.

Just recently, GM Jim Nill spoke on the subject of an extension (via stars.nhl.com):

"“Negotiations are always tough. That’s a part of life, part of business no matter what you are doing. We are going to get something done. He is the captain of our team. He is in the prime of his career. And I know he wants to get it done before the season starts, and so do we. We’ll start working on that, and we’re going to get something done.”"

I love the solid response from Nill as he stated that the Stars are “going to get something done.” With the way things operate in Dallas, I fully expect Benn to be signed on into his mid-30’s, making roughly nine to ten million a season. The Stars knew they would need to pay him eventually and he’s going to get the deal that he deserves.

2. The Dallas Stars blue line will be the center for all moves and rumors.

It’s no surprise that the Stars will be making the biggest changes on the defensive side of things this summer. With Alex Goligoski, Jason Demers, Kris Russell and Jordie Benn all becoming free agents, the defenseman position will be seeing a lot of change.

There’s a chance that all four of the defensemen named above could be on their way out the door this offseason, but there’s always the chance that Goligoski or Demers gets a deal.

Either way, that opens up the door for players like Jamie Oleksiak (restricted free agent) and Patrik Nemeth to join John Klingberg, Johnny Oduya and Stephen Johns. Players like Esa Lindell will be ready to make the leap to the NHL next season too.

The Dallas Stars could make another signature summer trade for a new player or they could even take a look at the free agent market, as players like Keith Yandle and Dan Hamhuis headline the defenseman position. However, with the depth created in the organization, whether it be in the NHL or the AHL, I expect to them to look for help from within.

Considering the points mentioned above, I think it’s pretty obvious that the Stars will be very busy fixing up their defense throughout July.

3. Young players will be able to grow with secure positions with the Dallas Stars.

With players like Mattias Janmark, Radek Faksa and Stephen Johns finding legitimate roles on the team, they won’t have to worry about being sent down or losing their spot to another player on the roster.

Janmark was a great scoring option in the playoffs and Johns provided solid defense with his 6’4 height, but I was most impressed with Faksa, who gave the Stars offense and defense, scoring key goals at the right time and operating on the penalty kill.

As I stated earlier, Lindell will most likely be coming up next season along with Julius Honka, which could mean even more youth on the team.

More dfw sports: Award Nominations Mark Beginning Of An Era In Dallas

The Dallas Stars have done a marvelous job developing their young talent, and it will be more evident next year with a few more rookies possibly joining the team’s current young core.