After challenging season, Kero hopes to provide Stars with veteran depth

Tanner Kero

Performance evaluation

Kero had a challenging season. He missed about a month with a concussion, and then found himself pushed out by a couple of new acquisitions. The veteran forward saw his games played drop from 39 in 2020-21 to 23 in 2021-22, and that's a tough thing. However, he continues to be a player the coaching staff trusts, and he's an affordable depth forward who can help in the NHL or AHL. Kero had five goals and 12 assists for 17 points in 28 AHL games.

Expectations for 2022-23

Kero is in a group with some similar players who are going to find it tougher to get games. On one hand, the departure of players like Alexander Radulov, Michael Raffl and Vladislav Namestnikov create opportunities, the push from players like Ty Dellandrea, Wyatt Johnston and Mavrik Bourque will make the fights even more intense. On the good side, players like Kero, Riley Tufte, Fredrik Olofsson, Nick Caamano and Rhett Gardner means the team has experienced players who can help at both levels. Kero has 134 NHL games with 35 points (11 goals, 24 assists) and that really does create instant trust with the new coaching staff, so he definitely could get some chances this season. It just seems like it might be tougher than it has been in the past.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.