Is Jake Oettinger’s prime being wasted in Dallas? The franchise is to blame originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jake Oettinger, 27, has an eight-year, $66 million contract with Dallas. He has played 71 playoff games, led the team to three straight Western Conference Finals and won 35 regular-season games this year, which is the third-most in the NHL.
Yet Dallas is watching another offseason start without a Cup. And for the second straight year, they lost because they cannot score at even strength.
Against Minnesota in Round 1, the Stars went nearly three and a half games (209:56) without an even-strength goal. They scored only four 5-on-5 goals out of 15 total goals in the six-game series. In contrast, the Wild scored 14 even-strength goals.
Last year in the Western Conference Final, they had a similar problem on the ice, scoring only five even-strength goals and losing to Edmonton in six games.
Jake Oettinger’s honest assessment signals growing urgency
Oettinger did not hide his frustration during his exit interview. He was direct about where things stand for him and for the franchise.
“I don’t feel like I accomplished any of my goals,” Oettinger said. “I want to win a Stanley Cup, I want to win the Vezina Trophy, and I want to be a starting goalie for Team USA at the Olympics and none of those three things happened.”
He emphasized that the team’s window to win is shrinking, noting that over the next four or five years, they have to win a championship. Aging players and long-term contracts complicate their future. He noted that while it is easy to say they have a great group, simply believing in their potential is no longer enough.
Dallas keeps circling same drain
Dallas entered the playoffs having played 62 postseason games over the last three seasons, trailing only Florida and Edmonton. A tight Olympic schedule and short summer breaks caused fatigue, but that does not explain why the offense vanished at even strength for two straight postseasons.
Oettinger lost the goaltending matchup against Minnesota. Jesper Wallstedt finished the series with a .924 save percentage and a 2.05 goals-against average. However, goaltending was a secondary issue since Dallas was outscored 14-4 at 5-on-5.
Management has an elite goaltender, salary cap space, and depth. They simply have not built a forward group that can win in the playoffs without relying entirely on the power play. Oettinger has carried this team before, but the front office must now build a roster that produces at even strength.
His prime window is open. But the million-dollar question is whether Dallas will use it.
More NHL news:
- The subtle signs Jim Nill’s dominant era in Dallas is quietly winding down
- Alex Tuch’s disappearing act has Sabres on brink before $11 million decision
- Canucks may have gotten 2004-level historically unlucky
- Flames’ trade offer for Nathan MacKinnon is informative for Maple Leafs
- How Zach Benson is Buffalo’s perfect ‘rat’