Don't disagree with the decision but after years of methodic roster-building, hoarding of resources and stability the Jim Nill Stars have gone in a wildly different direction.
Three months ago this was a very young team with a very bright immediate future, lots of movable assets a long-term record of stability.
Now they are a cap-strapped team with no first round picks for years, a relatively barren minor league system, a new coach questions about who should be the Captain next year.
If you had told me in February this would the state of the Stars in June I'd have laughed.
Great post. I couldn't agree more. Nill seemed to have lost his mind in 2025. All these moves were a complete 180 turn from the way he had been conducting business to build a good team. Nothing made sense. The Rantanen trade may be to the Stars what the Karlsson trade was to the Sharks and send the franchise into a tailspin and eventually a rebuild.
Nill should share a lot of the blame. Still think giving up 3 1st Rounders for what he got in return was not good. Granted Rantanen had a little streak there, but he quickly disappeared in the WCF. IMO - not worth two 1st rounders, Stankoven and 8yrs at $12 Million per year. Seems like the Doug Wilson deal for Karlsson which totally screwed the team for years and maybe messed up some locker room chemistry. Plus, this a soft team as exhibited by the fact no punched Nurse or Bouchard after their dirty hacks on Hintz. I know this may sound a little racist, but we need more North American players who don't mind mixing it up when needed. Though Bichsel does seem to be the exception. We need a few more nasty guys to make room for the skilled guys.
Another familiar name that I would be interested in would be former Assistant Derek Laxdal. He has AHL head coaching experience and NHL experience. And you would know if he carried this on better than me, but in his early days as an ECHL coach, had the reputation of an honest man who treated those around him fairly and as people first. Which we know Jim Nill does and values strongly.
Not to say he's a 1A choice, but from my dealings with him (and those I know that dealt with him more directly) he could be part of the larger culture shift needed to get to the top.
Congrats on your kiddo's graduation! Hopefully you can enjoy some time with the fam now.
It's easy to fire the coach.
Much harder to find one better.
Don't disagree with the decision but after years of methodic roster-building, hoarding of resources and stability the Jim Nill Stars have gone in a wildly different direction.
Three months ago this was a very young team with a very bright immediate future, lots of movable assets a long-term record of stability.
Now they are a cap-strapped team with no first round picks for years, a relatively barren minor league system, a new coach questions about who should be the Captain next year.
If you had told me in February this would the state of the Stars in June I'd have laughed.
Great post. I couldn't agree more. Nill seemed to have lost his mind in 2025. All these moves were a complete 180 turn from the way he had been conducting business to build a good team. Nothing made sense. The Rantanen trade may be to the Stars what the Karlsson trade was to the Sharks and send the franchise into a tailspin and eventually a rebuild.
Nill should share a lot of the blame. Still think giving up 3 1st Rounders for what he got in return was not good. Granted Rantanen had a little streak there, but he quickly disappeared in the WCF. IMO - not worth two 1st rounders, Stankoven and 8yrs at $12 Million per year. Seems like the Doug Wilson deal for Karlsson which totally screwed the team for years and maybe messed up some locker room chemistry. Plus, this a soft team as exhibited by the fact no punched Nurse or Bouchard after their dirty hacks on Hintz. I know this may sound a little racist, but we need more North American players who don't mind mixing it up when needed. Though Bichsel does seem to be the exception. We need a few more nasty guys to make room for the skilled guys.
Another familiar name that I would be interested in would be former Assistant Derek Laxdal. He has AHL head coaching experience and NHL experience. And you would know if he carried this on better than me, but in his early days as an ECHL coach, had the reputation of an honest man who treated those around him fairly and as people first. Which we know Jim Nill does and values strongly.
Not to say he's a 1A choice, but from my dealings with him (and those I know that dealt with him more directly) he could be part of the larger culture shift needed to get to the top.
WOW! Big change… new coach = new strategies… well, with the cap issues, this was the “big” change available… very risky!
Todd Nelson.... NHL assistant experience and lots of AHL success
Right on the money , as usual