The Dallas Stars overperformed this season, and the stats back that up. With a rookie coach, a teenager among its top defenders, and often just one scoring line, they made it to Game 7 of the second round.
And that’s the nightmare that haunts many Stars fans. The Victory Green gang did the same in 2016 only to start their summer early for the next two seasons. How do they prepare to avoid a return to postseason exile?
For starters, the Stars need to trust their young and developmental players much more than they have in the recent past, writes Sean Shapiro:
[Roope] Hintz’ emergence is proof that a younger forward can grow and establish themselves as a key cog if given the chance.