The Stars' Biggest Obstacle Isn't Winnipeg or Colorado, it's this powerhouse
Photo credit: Inside the Rink
The Dallas Stars are built to win now, but standing in their way are a few high-powered teams with Cup experience and serious pressure
When the conversation turns to Western Conference contenders, most fans mention Colorado, Winnipeg or Edmonton.
But the teams the Dallas Stars should really be watching this season?
They wear gold and blue.
The Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers might not be leading the NHL's regular season power rankings, but they remain two of the most dangerous obstacles in the West, for very different reasons.
Vegas is healthy, hungry, and reloaded.
Edmonton? Still electric, still explosive, but increasingly unpredictable.
Vegas Golden Knights has reloaded quietly, and they still know how to win when it counts
The Golden Knights didn't just make noise with their sign-and-trade for Mitch Marner.
They also rebuilt their depth and kept most of their physical core intact.
Even after a step back last spring, Vegas is just one year removed from a Stanley Cup, and they've reminded everyone how dangerous they can be when fully healthy.
«We're not here for moral victories,» a Vegas player said during camp.«We're here for another parade.»
With a top six now featuring Eichel, Marner, Stone, and a blueline still anchored by Alex Pietrangelo, Vegas is no longer sneaking up on anyone - they're back in full force.
Dallas fans hoping to coast through the Western bracket won't have that luxury.
Then there's Edmonton, a team that lives and dies by the brilliance of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
But with trade rumors swirling, goaltending concerns looming, and even off-ice noise like Gary Bettman joining Donald Trump's sports council alongside Matthew Tkachuk, the Oilers' focus is under the microscope.
Despite those distractions, they're still a threat.
If Edmonton gets hot at the right time, they can knock off anyone.
But if chaos creeps in, as it often does, they could collapse just as quickly.
I think Dallas has the most complete roster in the West.
But winning the Cup might mean outlasting Vegas's discipline and surviving Edmonton's volatility.
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