Coach speak: Where will Sharp fit into new Dallas Star lines

There will be a lot of focus on the Dallas Stars heading into next year.

With the additions of Blackhawk Champions Johnny Oduya and Patrick Sharp, and lingering questions on defense, it will be interesting to see how that lines take shape.

Dallas Stars coach Lindy Sharp spoke with the Dallas Stars Hockey Club website about the potential lines.

We believe his ultimate forward lines will depend on the defense.  But we’d love to see the ALL IN line with Sharp on the first line.

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The Stars’ three key acquisitions own six Stanley Cups between them, all with Chicago. Sharp leads the way with three.

“When I talked to him, he felt he had a little bit of an off year last year. He is really excited to come to Dallas. He seemed to be a real pain in our side when we played them. He’s got a great goal-scoring touch,” Ruff said. “Obviously, he brings the experience of winning Stanley Cups in Chicago. That kind of experience is tough to duplicate. He’s a veteran guy that has been there, knows how to win and should help with the youth of our team.”

Ruff said he can use the 33-year-old Sharp, who shoots right, as either a left wing or a right wing. That will give him a lot of options as to where Sharp could slot on the Dallas forward lines.

“In the top six, he could easily play with [Jamie] Benn and [Tyler] Seguin. We could leave [Patrick] Eaves up top and [Sharp] could play with [Jason] Spezza,” Ruff said. “I think there is an opportunity to play with [Cody] Eakin. I think the flexibility among our top two gives us a lot of good options. It’s made us deeper; it’s made us better. He’s a real nice piece. As a team, we didn’t need more offense but his veteran presence and offense is really going to help.”

Oduya won two Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks and helps fill the hole in the top four with Trevor Daley heading to Chicago in the Sharp deal. The 33-year-old defenseman also brings experience to a blue line that feature a lot of youth.

“I like the fact that he has been a proven winner now the past two or three years. He’s been a real solid defender, keeps the game simple,” Ruff said. “We know as a team we can score. He should fill the void on the defensive side for Daley. He won’t have the offense, but he’ll give us a solid veteran presence in our top four.”

Ruff has been toying around with defense pairings and, as always, things could change. But he does have an idea on what he would like to give a look when camp opens in September.