Dallas Stars’ general manager Jim Nill has sent a clear message that the team is again, looking to get more physical. Nill hired a coach that has already spoken about Dallas’ biggest team problem.

So Nill went through the usual additions, and subtractions as everyone goes through. Adding news faces, and a classic to the lineup with an emphasis on blue collar toughness.

Last year didn’t go so well

Just last summer, the Stars also decided they needed a more physical lineup. Adding Matt Dumba, Brendan Smith and Illya Lybushkin didn’t work out well. The Stars still put up the fewest hit in the NHL, and took the most hits league wide. Lybushkin was the only one of those three who saw playoff time as well.

Adding Colin Blackwell, and bringing up Oskar Back from the Texas Stars are a couple of bright spots. In terms of having a more physical lineup. But after seeing the statistics, and another frustrating WCF exit to the Edmonton Oilers those signings didn’t pan out the way Nill hoped.

Gulutzan was right

Shortly after the Stars rehired Glen Gulutzan as head coach after 12 seasons, one of the first things mentioned to the media was that he wants to instill more physical play. Starting on game one of the regular season.

Given his already somewhat famous ‘one percent’ statement about everybody playing more physical, Gulutzan doesn’t want any time wasted. He knows that habit can breed success. If every Star contributes more physicality, from hitting to fighting, Dallas will become a feared and respected team after April. And the coach knows it doesn’t all happen at once.

“What‘d like to do here is right from the start, we’ve just got to up our physicality a little bit, one degree through 82 games because you can’t just turn that switch on in Game 83. You have to build it in,” Gulutzan said. “You’re asking a little bit more from each guy.”

Benn extended

Stars’ captain Jamie Benn silenced any possibility that he spent his last season in Dallas after 2025 by signing a one year extension this summer. Recognizing Benn’s 16 years of his NHL play, 12 years of leadership, and physical play Nill always had the Captain’s back.

“Jamie embodies everything it means to be a Dallas Star, and has since he was drafted 18 years ago,” general manager Jim Nill said Thursday.

There was never a doubt that Jamie would return next season,” Nill said. “We are thrilled for both our organization and our fans that he will continue to lead our team in pursuit of winning a championship.”

It’s also worth noting that Benn, at 36 years old, took a big pay cut to stay with and continue to lead his team.

New (and old) adds

Coming up from Austin last season to lead the team in hits was Lian Bichsel. Becoming a fan favorite in Dallas, Bichsel might be the beginning of the scales of physicality tipping in the Stars favor going forward. Showing a more physical game that hasn’t been seen since Blake Comeau, and Jamie Oleksiak played in Dallas. At the age of 21, Bichsel is about a year off from developing into his full man strength.

Nathan Bastian is not only a hitter, but may very well become the Stars next go to enforcer. If there’s another incident like what happened with Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers and Roope Hintz, Bastion is one guy for the Stars who won’t let it slide. That enforcement, and teams ship will only make the Stars better and more respected. Especially in the playoffs. Arguably the signing of the summer for Dallas, and at a great price.

Photo credit: vice.com

Dallas welcomed back a familiar face in Radek Faksa this summer. After a year with the St. Louis Blues, the gravy is back in Big D. Why are we bringing this up here? Because Faksa is not afraid to play a physical game. Especially in the playoffs, whether it’s throwing a hit or dropping the gloves. Who will be a good fit for a Gulutzan coached team.

Featured photo: Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images

Tags: #Bastian #Benn #Faksa #Gravy #Hits #Physical #TexasHockey

Categorized:Stars