Dallas Stars: Full line combination predictions for 2018-19

Goaltender

Starter: Ben Bishop

Backup: Anton Khudobin

This one is clear as day. Unless Bishop gets hit in the head with a puck or whatever else before the season commences — that seems to be his thing — Dallas is going into the new year brimming with confidence for both goalie spots, maybe for the first time in years.

We know what Bishop can do: In 53 games last year he posted 26 wins, a 2.49 goals against average and a .916 save percentage. Yet Anton Khudobin is no slouch. Within the first minutes of free agency opening up, the Stars signed the former Boston Bruins’ backup to a two-year deal after he posted 16 wins and a 2.56 goals against average in 31 contests.

This again is with the idea in mind that both will remain healthy. Bishop on his end has not. In fact, he came to Dallas last season with a history of concerns, and those were only made more when he missed the end of the year. To be fair, a few of those can’t be attributed to “history.” He’s had some bad luck. As stated, he gets hit in the head with a lot of pucks. Even when he’s sitting on the bench, shots seem to find his cranium.

Really though, not only are the Stars set for the next few seasons in goal, which right now should be a blessing, but their netminders of the future are playing out exactly as hoped. 2017 first round pick Jake Oettinger will return to Boston University after a strong showing while Colton Point was recently signed to an entry-level deal. He will now move up to try his hand at the AHL.

Want to see more content throughout the off-season? Visit us at FanSidedNHL or follow me on Twitter @CL_Kohuss for updates!