Dallas Stars: Alex Chiasson Becoming A Major Offensive Threat

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Stars drew a lot of attention this summer because of their activity on the trade market that resulted in them acquiring several key pieces for the future. The same is true of the draft, where they grabbed another impact player in Valeri Nichushkin. There’s no doubt that they made strides towards respectability with their summer moves.

At the same time, though, what those deals that brought in bigger names did was overshadow some of the players that were already on the current roster in Dallas. There was already a solid mix of veteran and young talent that resulted in the Stars nearly pulling off a playoff spot towards the end of the year.

One of those players who got a cup of coffee up with the Stars last year, and is seeing an increased role coming into the new season is Alex Chiasson. While it’s been Nichushkin to get the buzz as a Calder Trophy candidate, Chiasson is picking up where he left off last year as an offensive threat.

Chiasson was given an opportunity to succeed as an offensive weapon for the Stars this season, and he’s already started to take advantage of it. In skating with Ray Whitney and Cody Eakin, Chiasson has built up some chemistry, and the results have showed, even going back to last year.

In his last nine games overall, Chiasson has found the back of the net eight times, including in each of the first two games this season. The interesting thing about his success is that he wasn’t viewed as an offensive weapon coming up through the minor league ranks. He projected more as a solid two-way guy, but more of a third line, checking role kind of player.

Early on, though, Chiasson is looking like a major offensive threat for the Stars. With more offensive talent than they had last year, including a full season of Chiasson, the Stars could be in good shape as the season wears on, at least in that respect. They still have to keep the puck out of their own net.