The Dallas Stars upgraded on offense in the off-season, but pundits are speculating about how they can improve their defense corps.
Ryan SuterThe Dallas Stars will enter the 2023-24 season with more or less the same roster as the one that reached the Western Conference final last season.
They possess a young goaltending star in Jake Oettinger. Their forward lines, featuring veteran stars Jamie Benn, Joe Pavelski and Tyler Seguin, as well as young guns Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz, got even deeper with the off-season addition of Matt Duchene.
Their once-deep defense corps, however, is an area of concern.
Miro Heiskanen has blossomed into a star, but he's the only defenseman among their projected top four in his playing prime. Ryan Suter, 38, showed his age last season, while the usually reliable Esa Lindell struggled at times.
That issue could be addressed if Thomas Harley and Nils Lundkvist make significant strides in their development this season. GM Jim Nill will likely be patient with those young blueliners, but he could be forced to go into the trade market if they fail to improve.
Sportsnet's Ryan Dixon proposed Noah Hanifin as a trade target. The 26-year-old is due to become a UFA next July. He reportedly told the Calgary Flames he's not interested in a contract extension.
Dixon noted the Stars have a couple of forward prospects that could help get a deal done but didn't specify who he had in mind. If the asking price for Hanifin is promising center Wyatt Johnston, Nill could look elsewhere.
The Athletic's Saad Yousuf also believes the Stars must shore up their defense, especially on the right side. He suggested Hanifin's teammate Chris Tanev, Carolina's Brett Pesce, Nashville's Tyson Barrie and Arizona's Matt Dumba should they become available later in the season.