Fansided

Dallas Stars: Full line combination predictions for 2018-19

By C.L. Kohuss

DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 31: Jamie Benn #14 and the Dallas Stars wave to fans after a win against the San Jose Sharks at the American Airlines Center on December 31, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 31: Jamie Benn #14 and the Dallas Stars wave to fans after a win against the San Jose Sharks at the American Airlines Center on December 31, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 7: John Klingberg #3 and Esa Lindell #23 of the Dallas Stars celebrate after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings at STAPLES Center on April 7, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 7: John Klingberg #3 and Esa Lindell #23 of the Dallas Stars celebrate after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings at STAPLES Center on April 7, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Defensive Pairings

John Klingberg-Marc Methot

Stephen Johns-Esa Lindell

Julius Honka-Miro Heiskanen

7th D-man: Roman Polak-Dillon Heatherington

For those screaming right now that it doesn’t make sense to break up Klingberg and Lindell, let’s calm down. It makes sense.

Through the first few months of being a Dallas Stars head coach, Jim Montgomery has preached a specific style of hockey. He calls it “The Process.”  He expects his club to win the possession battles and to play smart.

He also expects for his defense to make quick decisions and to be able to move the puck with skill. That includes both defensive and offensive zones. The Stars have those traits in spades. The best way to maximize that skill? Break Klingberg and Lindell apart so that all three d-pairs now have at least one skater with the ability to move the puck at an above average level.

Hitchcock actually wanted this last season. Unfortunately Methot missed most of the year to injury, which put Lindell and Klingberg together. The two shined, though we suspect they would both do just as well playing separately.

Stephen Johns was awarded in the offseason with a three-year deal which means he’s likely due a bump from his spot on the third pairing. He showed a good ability in transition, but he’s no Klingberg or Lindell. They also don’t really have anyone else to plug in from the roster.

Oh wait, Miro Heiskanen. The third overall pick back in 2017, Heiskanen is coming and by all accounts it’s with a fury. Don’t expect him to start out on top pairing minutes. He still has to get used to the NHL. He also just turned 19 in July.

But the Stars are high on the kid who’s torn it apart in Finland, meaning barring injuries or the unexpected, he should be given time to develop right away at the bigs. Along with the fact that Dallas apparently balked in trading him for Erik Karlsson, we hope to see him sooner rather than later.

Pairing him with Honka is probably a pipe dream at this point. We know the story of Honka and it seems he’ll never be afforded enough time to actually develop. Even with a new coach, we doubt this happens but the possibility is there. For what it’s worth, the signing of Polak seems to be an insurance move. Then again maybe he starts on the third set to keep a veteran back there. We hope not.

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