The Dallas Stars really struggled in net (and in preventing goals in general last season), but they took further measures to improve in that area on Monday.
In an interesting twist, the Stars hired Jeff Reese as goalie coach as expected, yet they’re not parting ways with Mike Valley. Instead, Valley will work under the title director of goaltending development.
ESPN’s Craig Custance was impressed by the Stars’ creativity there:
Interesting new position created to keep Mike Valley in Dallas. He'll scout goalies and help w/goalie development. It's a good idea.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) June 15, 2015
The only “salary cap” for coaching is a team’s own budget, after all, so why not add more keen minds on that subject?
Of course, improving on defense would also make life easier for the Stars’ goalies, and they also kept a young defenseman in the fold. Amusingly named blueliner Jyrki Jokipakka received a two-year contract today. Jokipakka (pictured) played 51 games with the Stars last season, collecting 10 assists and a -2 rating. He also managed five points in 19 games at the AHL level. It seems like he might show more potential than his draft status (195th overall in 2011) may have initially indicated.
Over the final month of the season, Jokipakka averaged over 18:00 in ice time and was a combined +1 in 14 games for the @DallasStars.
— Josh Bogorad (@JoshBogorad) June 15, 2015
Stars GM Jim Nill still has some work to do to ensure that the Stars’ defense starts to catch up with its blistering offense, yet this counts as a step or two in the right direction.