Dallas Stars: These 3 Stars’ Players will have Breakout Seasons Next Year
The Dallas Stars have a lot of young players on their roster and in their organization. Which players on the roster will play their best season yet?
Only a few months away from another season full of goals, hits, and fantastic plays, fans are beginning to get ready to put their hockey sweaters back on. Here are three Dallas Stars’ players to watch for to breakout this season.
Honorable Mention: Valeri Nichushkin
Stars’ forward Valeri Nichushkin is back from Russia after two seasons playing for CSKA Moskva.
In those two seasons, Nichushkin tallied 24 points (11 G, 13 A) in 36 games in the 2016-17 season and 27 points (16 G, 11 ) in 50 games last season.
Beforehand, Valeri was drafted 10th overall (before Max Domi, Nikita Zadorov, Andre Burakovsky, and others) in the 2013 NHL draft by the Dallas Stars.
In his first season with Dallas, Val scored 34 points (14 G, 20 A), 6th most on his team behind Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, Alex Goligoski, Cody Eakin, and Alex Chiasson).
In his sophomore season, however, he had one assist for the Dallas in 8 games and four assists in 5 games for the Texas Stars.
According to Sophia Hurst at Blackout Dallas, Nichushkin and former Stars’ head coach Lindy Ruff didn’t get along, and Val had told the Russian media the Stars’ coaches didn’t trust him and he didn’t get enough playing time.
Jim Nill and the Stars brought Val back from Russia for two seasons.
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It is still tough to tell how Nichushkin’s future with Dallas will play out. Because of that, though, that there is speculation that he could play great next season.
3. Remi Elie
Like Nichushkin, Remi Elie was also a member of Dallas’ 2013 draft class and was picked in the 2nd round (40th overall).
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Elie has played for the Texas Stars in the AHL every year since he joined the Stars’ organization. In his rookie season with Texas, he registered 17 points (6 G, 11 A) in 64 games. The following season, he improved rapidly, putting up 28 points (9 G, 19 A) in just 53 games in the AHL, and he added 7 points (1 G, 6 A) with Dallas in the NHL.
In the 2017-18 season, Elie made his transition to the NHL, scoring 14 points (6 G, 8 A) in 72 games as a bottom 6 winger. He started in the AHL, scoring one goal in four games.
Elie has also established himself as one of the Stars more dominant physical players and show the grit to retain a roster spot.
In his third season in the NHL, Elie should come out of the gate blazing once again.
2. Tyler Seguin
You might be a little surprised to see this name on the list. However, it’s here anyway. Tyler Seguin has made a name for himself as one of the NHL’s top scorers. In every season with the Dallas Stars, Seguin has either finished 1st or 2nd (behind Jamie Benn) in points, assists, and goals.
Although he is hitting his stride, I personally think Tyler Seguin is capable of a 100+ point season. Call me crazy, but I think he has even more gas in the tank for the coming seasons.
Seguin is in extension talks as of late with Jim Nill and the Stars, so hopefully, he will be a Dallas Star for many years to come. If that is the case, Seguin should only get better and better.
1. Gemel Smith
First on this list is 24-year-old Toronto native Gemel Smith, who was drafted in the 4th round (104th overall) of the 2012 NHL draft by the Stars.
His first year with the AHL, he recorded 27 points (10 G, 17 A) in 68 games. The following season, 2015-16, he put up 26 more points (13 G, 13 A) in 65 games with Texas and one goal and 3 assists in four games with the Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL.
After that, he spent 17 games with Dallas (3-3=6) and 53 games with Texas (12-21=33). Last season, he spent all year with Dallas, recording 11 points (6 G, 5 A) in 46 games.
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Smith continues to put up big numbers. Look for him to be Dallas’ most improved players this coming season.
- Published on 08/02/2018 at 16:34 PM
- Last updated at 08/02/2018 at 16:34 PM