Dallas knows exactly what to do with this offseason acquisition

Stars general manager Jim Nill went out of his way to get him, and they've got plans for this veteran in Dallas.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Dallas knows exactly what to do with this offseason acquisition
KEYSTONE PRESS

Veteran defenseman Marc Methot took a winding road to get from Ottawa to Dallas, but the Stars know exactly what they're going to do with their new blueliner.

After suffering through last season with a historically bad penalty kill, one with only a 73.9% success rate, Methot is one several pieces brought to Dallas to turn special teams around. Martin Hanzal and coach Ken Hitchcock will also play a major role in that regard, but Methot will be key.

Methot spent most of his time skating next to Erik Karlsson in Ottawa, and the Stars have a suitable replacement for him in John Klingberg.

Methot had this to say of his prospective linemate in comparison to one of the NHL's best in Karlsson:

"They're both fantastic defensemen. I think with guys like that, you just have to give them the puck when you can, support them when you can, and being able to skate is huge, too, and I think I can do that."

Klingberg is Swedish, just like Karlsson, and has been an offensive force on the blueline, also similar to Karlsson. Methot is a right-handed shot, so he should work well with Klingberg, just like he did with Karlsson. You're seeing the pattern by now I'm sure.

The 24-year-old had 13 goals (a career high) and 49 points in 80 games last season and stands to benefit from having Methot holding things down while they're on the ice together. 

Methot ended up in Dallas after Vegas poached him from Ottawa during their expansion draft, but then quickly traded him to Dallas in exchange for goalie Dylan Ferguson and a second-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. He also had a pretty good feeling about what his new team can accomplish this season, saying:

"On paper, the team looks fantastic. We have a great coach who can bring some structure, we have a great goaltending tandem, and a good D corps, and forward group. I think it's there, we just have to be able to perform and do the job."