I think it is pretty clear that the current roster is not as good as the 2024-25 roster. And that the new coach is not as good as the old coach that the team still had to fire (not second guessing that decision; being a better coach doesn't mean that throwing your franchise goalie under the bus and blaming him for your lack of WCF success the last three years shouldn't be a firing offense).
I have no idea how Jim Nill is going to fix his Matt Dumba problem, but hopefully he does. Just as long as it doesn't involve trading Robo.
I second the Faksa signing. Besides being very good on the PK, it seemed that his line was almost always in the offensive zone applying pressure - pretty good for your 4th line center.
He’s a beast on playoffs and an underrated voice in the room. He “grew up” in Dallas, along Esa and others. He never was supposed to leave and I’m thrilled he’s back.
It depends on whether you're talking about the 2024-25 roster with Rantanen or before his arrival. The loss of Stankoven hurts, but Marchment's departure and the impending departure of Dumbass is addition by subtraction and you have to expect growth in Bichsel and Borque's play. I like this team better than last year's, and while I'm not fond of the coaching hire, I share your view that DeBoer had to go.
My sense is that they are going to be more like Colorado before they made their trades last season, i.e. top heavy but lacking the kind of depth at both forward and defense that you need to beat the best teams in the playoffs. Maybe they can address this problem in part if they find some sucker who will take on Dumba and his contract and then use the money to get some depth help. Much of this will depend on developing Nils Lundkvist -- he was making nice strides before he got injured.
What options are left for a decent rhd? The market was already slim, and after today it seems even more so. Our cap is obviously tight, even after we more than likely move Dumba…so I know the moves we can make are limited.
I wonder if Faksa asked for the trade because of Pete then was happy to come back once Pete got let go. Otherwise, to me, I don’t know why he’d really want to come back a year after being traded. Great read as always
“So, I do wonder if a big part of the “philosophical” changes Nill was hoping to effect with the Gulutzan hire have to do with maximizing the players they have.”
^^ this! We are in a deficit when it comes to adding more—we barely will be able to get enough—so players that have been in certain roles will be changed. It will happen just naturally: lines will change, D pairings will change. New coach will have new ideas and the players will have a new set of eyes to impress. I firmly believe the players on the edges will make a case they couldn’t have made if the coaching staff was the same.
Maybe I’m projecting since I was an original STH of the inaugural season of Gulutzan’s Stars, but I’m thrilled with the hire. Let’s go Stars!!! 🏒🏒🏒⭐⭐🏒🏒🏒
I think it is pretty clear that the current roster is not as good as the 2024-25 roster. And that the new coach is not as good as the old coach that the team still had to fire (not second guessing that decision; being a better coach doesn't mean that throwing your franchise goalie under the bus and blaming him for your lack of WCF success the last three years shouldn't be a firing offense).
I have no idea how Jim Nill is going to fix his Matt Dumba problem, but hopefully he does. Just as long as it doesn't involve trading Robo.
They will be able to move Dumba without involving Robertson. That, I promise.
BTW, I do like the Faksa signing. He’ll be an actual upgrade for the 4th line. He was underrated here in his later years, I think.
I second the Faksa signing. Besides being very good on the PK, it seemed that his line was almost always in the offensive zone applying pressure - pretty good for your 4th line center.
He’s a beast on playoffs and an underrated voice in the room. He “grew up” in Dallas, along Esa and others. He never was supposed to leave and I’m thrilled he’s back.
It depends on whether you're talking about the 2024-25 roster with Rantanen or before his arrival. The loss of Stankoven hurts, but Marchment's departure and the impending departure of Dumbass is addition by subtraction and you have to expect growth in Bichsel and Borque's play. I like this team better than last year's, and while I'm not fond of the coaching hire, I share your view that DeBoer had to go.
My sense is that they are going to be more like Colorado before they made their trades last season, i.e. top heavy but lacking the kind of depth at both forward and defense that you need to beat the best teams in the playoffs. Maybe they can address this problem in part if they find some sucker who will take on Dumba and his contract and then use the money to get some depth help. Much of this will depend on developing Nils Lundkvist -- he was making nice strides before he got injured.
(but if they do move Robertson, it will be for other reasons.)
Robert, you're scaring me!
What options are left for a decent rhd? The market was already slim, and after today it seems even more so. Our cap is obviously tight, even after we more than likely move Dumba…so I know the moves we can make are limited.
Well, that depends on how you feel about a 40-year-old Brent Burns...
Jim does love his veterans.
Plus, a big beard!
I love bringing Faksa back. If nothing else, he’s a comfort fourth liner which is needed in these times
I wonder if Faksa asked for the trade because of Pete then was happy to come back once Pete got let go. Otherwise, to me, I don’t know why he’d really want to come back a year after being traded. Great read as always
I don't think Faksa requested a trade any more than Marchment did. I think the Stars just had to clear cap space, and that was the easiest move.
Got it, thanks for the reply!
You got it! Always happy to answer questions. Thanks for reading!
I would hate to lose Robo—but man, I’d trade him for Colton Parayko in a minute. Win-win for both clubs.
Robert,
“So, I do wonder if a big part of the “philosophical” changes Nill was hoping to effect with the Gulutzan hire have to do with maximizing the players they have.”
^^ this! We are in a deficit when it comes to adding more—we barely will be able to get enough—so players that have been in certain roles will be changed. It will happen just naturally: lines will change, D pairings will change. New coach will have new ideas and the players will have a new set of eyes to impress. I firmly believe the players on the edges will make a case they couldn’t have made if the coaching staff was the same.
Maybe I’m projecting since I was an original STH of the inaugural season of Gulutzan’s Stars, but I’m thrilled with the hire. Let’s go Stars!!! 🏒🏒🏒⭐⭐🏒🏒🏒
That's the hope, I'm sure! We shall see.