The talent is there, but can Denis Gurianov finally take the next step?

Name:Denis Gurianov
Number: 34
Age:25
Birthplace:Togliatti, Russia
Height/Weight:6-3, 195
2021-22 stats:11 goals, 20 assists and 31 points in 73 games
Contract: One year remaining at a cap hit of $2.9 million.

Performance evaluation

Gurianov had a disappointing season both statistically and in matters less easy to define. Bottom line, Alexander Radulov fell off a cliff last season, leaving an opening for a player like Gurianov to step in and take advantage. Jason Robertson did that in the previous season, and the thought was that Gurianov was ready to really have a breakout year.
Unfortunately, the former first-round draft pick didn't seize the moment.
He failed to show the drive and poise necessary to handle the pressure, and by the end of the playoffs was pretty much a healthy scratch. That's a bit shocking, especially when you consider he was a goal-scoring dynamo in 2019-20 with 20 during 64 regular-season games and another nine in 27 playoff appearances.
Gurianov clearly has more, and he really seemed to take a step back in his development. His minutes stayed about the same at 14:11 and 1:58 on the power play, and he finished seventh on the team with 144 shots on goal.

Expectations for 2022-23

So, what now?
Gurianov signed a one-year deal for $2.9 million, and it sure seems like a make-it-or-break-it situation. Not only does the opportunity get even bigger for the young forward with Radulov and Vladislav Namestnikov gone, but there's a pretty talented group of young forwards knocking on the door and hoping for top-six spots.

Gurianov is a speed player and hasn't really shown great defensive instincts, so it seems his best usage is in the top six - either with the Stars or someplace else. In theory, the coaching staff is going to have to decide on playing Tyler Seguin at center or wing. If he plays wing, it'll be right wing and probably on the second line. If Gurianov is a right wing, that creates some problems.
Injuries and performances do change things, and we do have a new coaching staff, so speculation is difficult. That said, Gurianov needs to up his numbers, particularly in the goal department if he wants to take the next step in his career. Because they are both Russian, Gurianov will get a lot of comparisons to Val Nichushkin, and it's clear that Nichushkin is playing much better after a move to Colorado. But there are some significant differences in the two, as well. Nichushkin went back to Russia for two years and Gurianov has not. Nichushkin didn't play in the minors and Gurianov did. Gurianov seems committed to having a great season and doing what the Stars need from him, so the opportunity is there for him to have a big year. He just has to seize it.
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.