The Four Nations Face-Off was a resounding success for the hockey world, and the Dallas Stars are hoping to capitalize on the experience.
Dallas had five players — forwards Mikael Granlund (Finland), Roope Hintz (Finland) and defencemen Esa Lindell (Finland); Thomas Harley (Canada) and goaltender Jake Oettinger (USA) — participate in the tournament. While the rest of the team got a break from hockey, those around the club believe the experiences of those five players could pay dividends for the entire club.
“It’s the best hockey I’ve ever seen,” assistant coach Steve Spott told the media during a press conference. “I’ve never seen anything like this pace, and [head coach] Pete [DeBoer] was saying that being on the bench is even a different level. … I think for all our players who were part of it, it’s just going to take their games to new levels because of how high that pace has been.”
Dallas Stars Hoping to Build off Four Nations Face-Off
Having the Opportunity to be Around the Best
For younger players like Harley and Oettinger, being part of the event and spending every day with the best players from their respective countries could be massive confidence builders. Harley was a last-minute addition to Canada’s roster but appeared in both games against the United States and picked up an assist in Thursday’s championship.
“To be with the best of the best, for him, I’m sure was a good experience, and on top of that, he showed that he belongs,” Stars assistant coach Alain Nasreddine said of Harley. “I think that will go a long way for him.”
Given the injuries piling up on the Stars’ blueline and the lack of production from certain players, Harley’s experience and development as part of Team Canada could be a massive win for Dallas entering the final stretch of the regular season.
Oettinger was the backup goalie for the USA behind Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets. He only played in one game, which was the Americans’ only loss in the tournament, but he still came away with valuable experience that can help him lead the Stars on another playoff run.
“He got a game, and to be out there with those types of shooters every day in practice, it’s only going to make you better,” Spott explained. “I think it’s a huge confidence builder for any of our players who were part of it.”
An even more confident Oettinger should have Stars fans excited and scare the rest of the NHL, particularly with his elite track record in the playoffs.
Building Chemistry
The other three Dallas who played in the Four Nations Face-Off did not reach the championship game, but they did get to be teammates for Finland. While it might seem like a small and insignificant detail to some, it could prove beneficial as Mikael Granlund continues to adapt to the locker room after being traded from the San Jose Sharks.
He has former teammates like Cody Ceci and Matt Duchene on the Dallas team, but getting to know other teammates can only help the Stars get better. He did not play much with Lindell and Hintz during the tournament, but sometimes the off the off-the-ice part of the game is just as significant.
Granlund is a veteran who can adapt, fill in on the top-six or the bottom-six, and play a complete game on both ends of the ice. That’s something any team could use. It is a particular help to a Dallas team that has a strong offense when healthy but has also been bitten by the injury bug when it comes to some key players throughout its lineup.
“He’s an elite player,” Spott said. “We’ve had such a small sample size to see him here in Dallas. Talking to some of the guys in San Jose where we still have some history with some guys there, I think that’s what they saw. We’re excited to see that here as we go through the second half.”
Lindell’s Four Nations Breakout
Esa Lindell has drawn about as much praise for his play for Finland as Harley has for his play for Canada. Lindell does not put up gaudy numbers offensively, but he has been one of the most consistently good defensive defencemen in the NHL throughout his career.
This season, Lindell has been asked to take on much more responsibility for Dallas and adapt to his new roles on the fly. He has even been one of the Stars leaders in time on the ice, and Finland used him on the power-play, a role he rarely plays in Dallas these days but could help the Stars if they have to turn to other options later this season or in the postseason.
“You can see he can do it all,” Nasreddine added. “He’s just a smart player. Very reliable. We all know it in this room, but I think the rest of the hockey world now got a glimpse of it in the Four Nations tournament.”
Each Stars player who participated in the Four Nations Face-Off had his bright spots. However, now that the exhibition has concluded, they will look to channel their momentum toward competing for a Stanley Cup. And that may be exactly what the Stars need.
Main photo by: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
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