Edited May 17, 2023 at 7:22 a.m.
Quoting: justaBoss
As a Stars fan I'd want to bring a Top4 D-man in. Our defense as it is is just too reliant on Miro performing. If he's injured, that good core suddenly drops to level of Columbus.
I like Domi, but I don't see us being in position to keep him around.
I would at this stage not sign Domi, try to keep Dadonov with 1x1,5 contract, and potentially trade Hakanpää+Lundkvist+2024 1st for a proper D that's able to play first pair, then run them as follows:
Suter-Heiskanen (would also consider buying Suter out since his buyout is cheap, but he's been solid in the playoffs so might as well keep him)
Harley-X (the new D would slot in here, whether it's via trade or signing some UFA like Severson)
Lindell-Miller (while Lindell and Hakanpää did form a good PK pair, these two together were fairly clumsy with the puck, and Miller imo works better with Lindell's weaknesses and vice versa)
Hanley can remain as the 7th D.
I like this take a lot. The blue line aside from Miro has simply not been good enough in the playoffs. If they can find a way to add a say...Gavrikov level player for the top 4, I think that'd be extremely helpful (Not Gavrikov himself cause money, but roughly that level of player.
I really hope they make an effort to bring back Domi cause he looks better than he ever has in Dallas. It'll be really tough, especially if they target a D man, but I think you gotta try and find a way to make it work. If Domi just wants to cash in on this season and take say, 5.5 AAV from a mediocre team with cash to throw around, then of well, but hopefully he's willing to stick around with a discount (since thats really the only way Dallas can afford to keep him). If he does dip, I think you pivot and try to bring back Dadonov for cheap.
Maybe the numbers are just never gonna work with Domi, but I think you've gotta make an effort given how he's looked. I do think adding a top 4 D is priority number 1 though and everything else checks out as well.