Dallas Stars: Which Players Should be Given the “A” Next Season?

With Jamie Benn leading the charge as the Dallas Stars’ captain, who will have an “A” sewn onto their jersey when the season starts?

It is undisputed territory that Jamie Benn is the captain of the Dallas Stars — and chances are that will remain the case until he either a) hangs up the skates or b) gets traded (which isn’t likely). Benn is a great captain; he’s put up several solid seasons and makes his presence known when he’s on the ice. I won’t bore you with the statistics.

However, it’s obvious that there is more to a team’s leadership than just the captain. So, the question is, who will be named as an alternate captain when the season goes underway? In no particular order, here are a few potential candidates.

Tyler Seguin

Making Tyler Seguin an alternate captain would be smart for a few reasons. For one, he becomes an unrestricted free agent (UFA) after this season draws to a close (unless he signs an extension with the Stars). Putting an “A” on his jersey would only re-assert his importance as a member of the Stars. Of course, Jim Nill should just make him an alternate captain because he wants to keep him — it’s also because he deserves it. Seguin was undoubtedly Dallas’ best player last season, even though he finished behind Benn in points (by one).

Seguin also is disappointed with how extension talks are going between him and the Stars. Dallas would be stupid to give him up because they weren’t willing to pay him the “big bucks” when he’s (arguably) been Dallas’ most lethal scorer for the past several seasons. Giving him an “A” would serve as a way to show him how much he is valued as an all-star player on the Stars’ roster.

Radek Faksa

Radek Faksa would be a solid alternate captain for the Dallas Stars. No, he doesn’t post the highest goals on the team, nor does he fight the most or hit the most. With that said, neither was Vernon Fiddler. What makes him interesting is that he always plays the game hard. Faksa is a workhorse and has always given 110% percent while on the ice.

Based off of how the players on Dallas’ roster are listed out on CapFriendly, it looks like Faksa is going to end up as a 2nd or 3rd line center (with Seguin on the first line and Spezza on either the 2nd or 3rd).

He goes hard to the net and can ignite a game. Entering his fourth season in the NHL with the Stars, don’t be surprised if Jim Nill & Co. decide to slap an “A” on Faksa’s sweater.

Blake Comeau

Though he’s a new name to the Stars’ roster, veteran Blake Comeau wouldn’t be a bad bet to become an alternate captain. At 32-years-old, he’s the third oldest player on the Stars’ roster behind Jason Spezza (35) and Marc Methot (33).

Comeau has played in over 700 NHL games with the New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Colorado Avalanche.

Not only that, but he adds playoff experience and leadership to the Stars’ locker room. Additionally, he is a stellar penalty killer and registered 145 hits in 79 games last season.

Comeau, who donned the “A” while with the Avalanche, is yet another player that you might see become an alternate captain for the Dallas Stars next season.

Marc Methot

In addition to Seguin, Faksa, and Comeau, seasoned d-man Marc Methot could be another player that the Stars might consider to be an alternate — assuming he’s healthy during the season.

Methot struggled to stay off the IR and dealt with a variety of knee issues, from arthroscopic surgery to soreness.

His injuries limited him to only 36 games last season. With the departure of Dan Hamhuis, another veteran blueliner, Methot will need to consume a larger role on the Stars’ defense.

Assuming he is healthy for the majority of the season, Methot is another player that adds veteran leadership to the Stars’ roster and would make for a good alternate captain.

• Published on 09/03/2018 at 17:01 PM
• Last updated at 09/04/2018 at 05:58 AM