Studenic has both a challenge and an opportunity with Stars

Marián Studenič

Performance evaluation

Acquired on waivers from the Devils, Studenic did a nice job providing forward depth for the Stars. He played in 16 games, averaged 10:28 in time on ice per game and chipped in a goal and two assists. He was one of the team's best possession players in that small sample size at 54.2 percent on SAT, and was solid at jumping in and out of the lineup when needed.
He played in four playoff games, but was unspectacular, getting three shots on goal and going minus-3 in that span.

Expectations for 2022-23

The waiver pickup of a 23-year-old seems like a pretty good idea. Studenic is NHL ready and still comes at an affordable price. You don't have to invest the training time to get a player of his caliber that you might with a draft pick, and you also have a player who can grow in your system.
Like many depth forwards on this year's Stars, Studenic has both a challenge and an opportunity. With the departure of Alexander Radulov, Michael Raffl and Vladislav Namestnikov, there are minutes to be taken. But with the push of a large group of younger skilled forwards, the competition should be intense. Mix in a new coaching staff, and many of these players are starting from scratch.
Studenic had 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 17 AHL games with Utica and Texas, so he has some offensive ability. If he can walk the line and show some of that skill while still being defensively responsible, he could be a pretty workable part of the roster this season.
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.