(Dallas) Pete DeBoer met his captain shortly after arriving in Texas.
Dallas Stars head coach’s message to Jamie Benn in June 2022 was clear.
And the veteran striker was in full agreement.
“There was no goal other than wanting to win,” DeBoer recalled Wednesday.
A former Art Ross Trophy winner and Olympic gold medalist, Benn was still an important piece, but he was going to play with a rookie center and see his ice time reduced.
“His mentality was, ‘If it helps us win, count me in,’” DeBoer said of their first discussion. You would love to have 20 of these guys. »
Dallas is banking on a balanced attack heading into the Western final starting Thursday against Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers.
“We have confidence and depth,” Benn said. Now it’s up to us to do something with it. »
That would be winning the Stanley Cup – something he desperately dreams of, like three veteran teammates.
The 34-year-old winger has played more than 1,100 regular season games in the NHL. Joe Pavelski has played in over 1,300 games and defenseman Ryan Suter is at just under 1,450.
Matt Duchene is fourth with more than 1050 meetings.
“It’s the only reason I play,” Suter, 39, said of the opportunity to lift hockey’s holy grail.
The Stars won the title in 1999 and reached the final in 2020.
They advanced to the third round last year before losing to the Vegas Golden Knights, who won it all.
The Oilers beat the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks to advance in the standings. The club reached the West Finals in 2022, only to be swept by Colorado.
“Every route is a little different,” said defenseman Darnell Nurse. There’s excitement, but the group is probably calmer this time around. »
Edmonton is atop the playoffs in goals scored and power play efficiency percentage.
“They have a lot of high-level talent,” said Stars defenseman Chris Tanev, acquired from the Calgary Flames at the trade deadline.
“It takes a whole team to beat them. All five guys on the ice have to be connected and communicating. »
That’s been DeBoer’s message from day one.
“We are going to work as a group,” Benn said of his coach’s credo. It doesn’t have to be the same guys every night. That’s what’s most enjoyable about this team. »
Wyatt Johnston lives with Pavelski and his family. Pavelski has not yet enjoyed a Stanley Cup, at 39 years old.
“It shows how difficult it is to win it,” said the 21-year-old center. He’s been part of some incredible teams. It’s just that he hasn’t managed to win it all yet. »