I used to wonder back in the day what would have happened if the Stars never traded for Joe Nieuwendyk. Sure, the Hall-of-Famer helped the Stars win the 1999 Stanley Cup, but what would a forward group with Jarome Iginla, Jere Lehtinen, Jamie Langenbrunner, Brenden Morrow and Mike Modano look like if it stayed together for a decade or so? You do wonder if the push to get that cup would have kept the team hungry or if potentially losing Ken Hitchcock, Ed Belfour and Derian Hatcher would have thrown a kink into things.
It's an entertaining mind game.
I bring it up because when reflecting on what the Stars have now, I'm astounded things have gone so well. Just as pro scouts on other teams have found gems like Nichushkin and Oleksiak, the Stars pro scouts have also found a few beauties. Jani Hakanpää has been a terrific find as a defenseman who plays almost 19 minutes a game. The 6-6, 225-pound blueliner is just 30 and has a cap hit of just $1.5 million. It's a huge boost to the back end.
Mix in Colin Miller ($1.85 million) and Nils Lundkvist ($925,000) and you have a blueline who can afford Miro Heiskanen and still move the puck.
What exceptional management.
Miller struggled in Buffalo last year, so he was a bit of a risk. Lundkvist is just 22, but he struggled with the Rangers and asked for a trade. The Stars gave up a first-round draft pick to get him, but that sure seems worth it right now. Lundkvist is a nice fit next to Heiskanen and could be a fixture on the defense for the next decade or more. He will likely get better each day, playing in this system with Heiskanen, and he gives the Stars an opportunity to wait on Thomas Harley's development.
It was a huge move, considering it came just before training camp.
Up front, the Stars have added Mason Marchment to previous pick-ups Luke Glendening and Joel Kiviranta. Just as important, they cleared the way for Wyatt Johnston and Ty Dellandrea, and those two young forwards have bright futures. With a strong group of prospects in the pipeline, there's a chance we see even more young players get their chance. Logan Stankoven could be here next season after he finishes his junior career.
And this is why it's important to continue to turn the soil. When Val Nichushkin left, he was a talented first-round who was both frustrated and frustrating. Since finding a home in Colorado, he has blossomed. Denis Gurianov might have to do the same thing. The talented winger is currently on a leave of absence because of a family matter but might be the perfect candidate to take the next step with another franchise. We've seen it before, and maybe a smart pro scout for another team could see the same thing.
It's very hard to assess talent in the NHL. There are injuries and "fit" issues and just the typical ups and downs of a normal career. Dickinson, Shore and Janmark have all moved on from the teams who acquired them from Dallas. Same with Brett Ritchie and they are each 30 or younger.
It's easy to ponder what might have been with each. It's easy to wonder if any could still help the team now.
But the fact of the matter is everyone has moved on, and the process of change can be good for everyone. It's frustrating sometimes, but it's also part of pro sports. I have been told many times each team is an entity unto itself, and I'm starting to believe the sentiment with the 2022-23 Stars.
Sure, it's fun to scratch things out on paper, however making it work on the ice is a lot more challenging.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.
