Signing Mason Marchment leaves the Stars with questions on defense.
Dallas entered Wednesday in the market for a right-handed defenseman that could play in the top-four. John Klingberg filled that role during his eight years in the organization, but he hit free agency without an agreement in place with the Stars. The two sides previously left the door open for a reunion, and that chatter picked up as Dallas and Klingberg each looked to fill needs.
But the door is all but closed on Klingberg now.
“We’ve had constant communication with John Klingberg for a long time,” White said. “At the end of the day, we have a salary cap to deal with. It just didn’t work.
“We only have so many dollars, and we’ve got a couple young players we need to sign, as you guys know. Nothing is out of the realm of possibility, but it’s difficult to see that scenario. But you never know in this game, as I’ve found out over my years.”
The Stars reportedly chased Brent Burns, but he was traded to Carolina. Josh Manson re-signed in Colorado. The free agent market offered little depth with the likes of P.K. Subban, Justin Braun (Philadelphia) and Anton Stralman.
Colin Miller’s signing fills out the Stars’ defense corps, but leaves it lacking a top-four defenseman. Miro Heiskanen, Ryan Suter and Esa Lindell have all filled that role before. But Thomas Harley and Jani Hakanpää have not. Might they now?
“They’re going to take more responsibility? Yes,” White said. “Are they going to be full-time, right then? That’s up to the player. I certainly project them as taking more of that time on the ice.”
Miller’s addition almost ensures that Heiskanen will remain on the right side instead of his natural left side, something that White said does not bother the Stars.
This is a sample of what the Dallas defense could look like in September:
Ryan Suter – Miro Heiskanen
Esa Lindell – Jani Hakanpää
Thomas Harley – Colin Miller
Joel Hanley
Miller’s best season came 2017-18 with Vegas, when he had 41 points in 82 games during the inaugural season of the Golden Knights.
“He can shoot the puck, he can move it and he can skate,” White said. “We think the value of the right shot was important. We were fortunate to get him here later in the day.”
