"It's life in the NHL, next man up," Stars coach Jim Montgomery said. "We went through it all last year, so we're a resilient group and a deep organization and we're going to be OK. We lost two of our top four penalty killers so that's going to factor into who gets called up."
Both Gardner and Caamano were solid defensively in the 2019 NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Mich. in September and also during the preseason. That's one of the reasons both were still on the roster late in the process while other had already been sent to the minors.
"Caamano and Gardner have shown the ability to identify a role," Montgomery said at the time. "If I look at Gardner, he's winning faceoffs, he's on top of pucks, he's getting back for pucks, he's getting back low and a heavy body down low in the offensive zone. So if you're looking for a fourth line typical role that's going to help you, I think he's someone I can match up. And Caamano is playing with great pace, he's making great wall plays and exits in the D-zone, and he's finishing a lot of checks."
Comeau has been one of the team's most intense defensive forwards, while Dickinson is a speedy player who has shown he can play both sides of the puck. Getting replacements who mirror those skills can make the transition easier for Dallas as it deals with injuries.
Still, the Stars found out last season that none of this stuff is easy. Taylor Fedun will jump in for Polak, and while he's right-handed, he weighs 40 pounds less. That will create a different dynamic.
But the players will have to adjust. They were juggled last season, they were juggled during preseason, and they will be juggled again. It's what this team does.
"I think it was good last season, because everybody played with everybody and you were ready for anything," said center Tyler Seguin.
Plus, there's always the chance more injuries occur and more shuffling will be required.
Gardner, 23, was drafted by the Stars 116th overall in 2016. He played four seasons at the University of North Dakota and played 11 games for the AHL's Texas Stars last spring (scoring four goals and adding an assist). The big center is listed at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds and was a solid force during the preseason.
"I saw a prototypical third-line shutdown center," Texas Stars coach Derek Laxdal said at the Traverse City tournament. "He's got a little bit of offensive upside in the pro game, but he's obviously that prototypical third-line shutdown center and every game he seems to play he gets better.
