Dallas Stars insider reveals bold prediction for Nathan Bastian's role this season
Photo credit: NBC New York
With a veteran's edge and physical presence, Nathan Bastian could be a key depth piece for the Dallas Stars this season.
When the Dallas Stars announced the signing of 6-foot-4 forward Nathan Bastian, it was clear this wasn't about flashy scoring.
Instead, general manager Jim Nill added a player whose game thrives on strength, energy, and defensive responsibility.
The 27-year-old inked a one-year, $775,000 deal after spending most of the past four seasons with the New Jersey Devils.
Bastian has appeared in 276 NHL games, collecting 33 goals and 68 points. More importantly for Dallas, he recorded 138 hits last season, a total that would have ranked second on the Stars, behind only Lian Bichsel.
«Nathan will add forward depth and a physical presence to our lineup, both of which will be valuable to our organization,»
Nill told All Dallas Stars.Nathan Bastian's role with the Dallas Stars and impact on young forwards
Bastian is projected to slot into the bottom-six and contribute to the penalty kill. His experience will make it tougher for prospects like Justin Hryckowian and Arttu Hyry to crack the opening-night roster, as Dallas now has 13 NHL forwards under contract.
Last season, Bastian missed time with a broken jaw and was a healthy scratch after the Devils made trade deadline additions. Still, he played in all five of New Jersey's playoff games, noting that:
«as long as I get to play in the playoff games, then that's the main thing.»
A fun side note: Bastian and Miro Heiskanen share an unusual bond, both were on the receiving end of a violent, illegal hit from Matt Rempe that resulted in an ejection.
I think adding a player like Bastian is smart for Dallas, especially when the grind of an 82-game season demands dependable physical players.
For more on how Bastian fits into the Stars' plans, see NHL.com.
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