Into The Weeds: Analyzing Dallas vs. the 2024-2025 Pacific Division
Dallas' true enemy lies further West.
Whatever fate is in store for Dallas next season, there’s a good chance their final boss in the West will be in the Pacific. The Central is interesting, sure, but unless Colorado has been sandbagging it for the last two years, it’s quite possible their window has closed (Gabriel Landeskog’s health changes things, granted). In their place is…as we discussed, really no one.
So that leaves the Pacific. They’re quickly becoming Dallas’ rogue’s gallery again. Thankfully, gone are the days of line brawls versus Anaheim, and that nasty bit of business with San Jose. I love fighting, but I love fighting between craftsmen and women; not whatever this was from Alex Semin. It’s good to see healthy, natural hockey rivalries again. Between Vegas, Edmonton, and Vancouver, the Pacific is becoming oddly familiar with the Stars now a perennial Western Conference Finalist mainstay.
Is there anyone else? Will Seattle bounce back this year after making the playoffs the year before? (Given that Chandler Stephenson contract, I’d say no) Is there a tanking team out there who might finally break through? (No, obviously) There’s another reason to be fascinated by the Pacific: a lot of Logan Stankoven’s competition is out there (I suppose this wouldn’t be a Stars platform without mentioning Mavrik Bourque in the Calder competition, but let’s be real: barring a cape and cowl he’s hiding behind his shoulder pads and victory green — that won’t be happening). So while some of these teams may not be that interesting, there will be reasons to follow certain individuals.
So without further ado…
Anaheim Ducks
W: 27
L: 50
OL: 5
Points: 59
Key additions: Cutter Gauthier
The Ducks have been in tank limbo for several years, but they're finally looking to claw their way out. Will they? Not yet. But they're getting there. Leo Carlsson has been a borderline phenom. As someone who thought Adam Fantilli was the clear cut #2 behind Connor Bedard last year, Carlsson getting picked before him threw me for a loop, but it's been working out for them nicely. He reminds me of some odd mixture of Ryan Getzlaf and Jacob Voracek, except none of their weaknesses, as crazy as that sounds.
Meanwhile, Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish should have bounceback years, and that's not including their Calder candidate Cutter Gauthier. Their offense is primed to be stacked, and while their defense needs work, Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger are blue chip prospects already showing chops at the NHL level.
Sticktap: Beckett Sennecke for a full recovery. He’s expected to miss two months from a broken foot.
Head-to-Head Prediction: 3-0 (Previously 3-0)
Anaheim has drawn Dallas into shootouts before, but their biggest problem is that their veteran support ranges between 'meh' and 'eh.' Cam Fowler (currently on the chopping block) is simply not what he once was, and their forward core is carried entirely by its youth. The Stars should have no problem coming out their season series with a winning record, but don't be surprised if the games themselves are barnburners.
Calgary Flames
W: 38
L: 39
OL: 5
Points: 81
Key additions: Anthony Mantha, Kevin Bahl, Dustin Wolf
Calgary has a long road out of hell. Jonathan Huberdeau is more or less cooked, making his contract easily the worst in hockey right now. That sucks because I think he's still an interesting player, who just happens to be in a situation that can't maximize him. Playing next to Mikael Backlund does nothing for his offensive game -- even if Backlund himself is a fantastic defensive center -- and the rest really is Worsts Parts of the Bible stuff. Anthony Mantha, Blake Coleman, Yegor Sharangovich are all players that can't be serious pieces in your top six. To make matters worse, this is a team that used to have a blueline of Noah Hanifan, Chris Tanev, Rasmus Andersson, and Oliver Kylington. Now it's down to Weegar, Andersson, and some dudes.
Sticktap: They do have a secret weapon though, and his name is Dustin Wolf. He's gonna be one of a small handful of Calder candidates with a genuine shot to win. He went from being the best WHL goaltender to U20 Gold, to what has been an incredibly successful run in the AHL with the Stockton Heat. He's the goods, and likely the NHL's next goalie superstar.
Head-to-Head Prediction: 2-0-1 (Previously 1-1-1)
Wolf won't single handedly pull the Flames out of the...tankpit. There are just too many holes right now, which will make them an easy out for Dallas. Calgary is and should be thinking about James Hagens and Matthew Schafer. The Flames are not a darkhorse team by any stretch, if they were able to hit on some offensive pieces, you could see the guts of what could make a good team; especially if Wolf delivers. Good goaltending can make a bad team look good. Great goaltending? You get the idea. This team lives and dies by Wolf’s fortunes.