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Dallas Stars: 5 burning questions for 2018-19 season

By C.L. Kohuss

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 14: Tyler Seguin
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 14: Tyler Seguin /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 28: Joe McDonnell, scout of the Dallas Stars sits alongsdie Jim Nill, General Manager of the Dallas Stars, on Day Two of the 2014 NHL Draft at the Wells Fargo Center on June 28, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 28: Joe McDonnell, scout of the Dallas Stars sits alongsdie Jim Nill, General Manager of the Dallas Stars, on Day Two of the 2014 NHL Draft at the Wells Fargo Center on June 28, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

3. What happens to Jim Nill if this all goes up in smoke again?

Speaking of Jim Nill, this could be a make-or-break year for him as General Manager in Dallas. Back in 2016, owner Tom Gaglardi extended Nill’s contract through 2022-23, but in the two seasons since that extension the Stars have missed the postseason both times and finished sixth in the Central Division.

The extension actually came right in the middle of a season in which Dallas finished as the best team in the Western Conference before getting bounced in Round 2 by the St. Louis Blues. So it had to be surprising and of course concerning when the Stars utterly imploded the following year, amassing only 72 points. This past season they looked back on track, only to implode once again at the tail end.

We wouldn’t doubt Gaglardi keeping Nill through the length of the deal. He believes in what Jim is building. At least, he’s believed in the process to this point. How thin does that trust run though if the Stars yet again fail to make the playoffs in 2019? Especially with talent on the roster either aging (Jamie Benn is 29, Alex Radulov is 32 and Jason Spezza is 35) or set to hit the market (Tyler Seguin) if a new deal isn’t in place by years end.

Nill, to his credit, has made wonderful moves in his tenure so far. He stole Seguin from the Boston Bruins for peanuts and getting Spezza while he still had 30-goal seasons left was a brilliant move (at the time) to try to get Dallas over the hump. He also nabbed defenseman Stephen Johns from the Chicago Blackhawks, which is turning into a great deal, as well.

On the other hand, the depth he’s drafted hasn’t worked out to this point. In fact, he’s drafted a few head-scratchers that have done virtually nothing in the NHL. Jason Dickinson was drafted 29th overall in 2013 and has five points in 38 games. Valeri Nichuskin was also selected that year, 10th overall by Dallas actually, and he’s been in the KHL most of the time. He returns this season but who knows what’s in store.

Denis Gurianov was taken 12th overall in 2015 and has seen one lone game in the NHL so far. This list could go on for a while. Even with the hiring of Jim Montgomery, drafting and developing could be Nill’s downfall if the Stars face yet another season where lack of scoring depth proves costly at the end of the year.

Despite the great signings and trades, finding quality forwards in April is killing this team. How hot is his seat if things go haywire this season?

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