Looking ahead for the Stars: Will Mats Zuccarello be sticking around?

As each NHL team is eliminated from the postseason, we'll take a look at why its quest for the Stanley Cup fell short in 2018-19, three keys to its offseason, and impact prospects for 2019-20, concluding by offering a way-too-early prediction for what next season will hold.

What went wrong

Perhaps the Dallas Stars' biggest problem this season was their inability to score goals. They scored the third-fewest goals in the league (2.55 per game), as only the hapless Kings and Ducks were worse. That mostly wasn't an issue in the playoffs, as they scored 35 through 13 games (2.69 per game) and saw breakout performances from secondary scorers like Roope Hintz (five goals) and Jason Dickinson (three). Trade deadline acquisition Mats Zuccarello provided the offensive spark that the Stars were looking for too, with 10 points in the playoffs.

Dallas made it all the way to a Game 7 of the second round series, which to be honest, was probably a fair preseason expectation for this team. The team was adjusting to its third coach in as many years, and there were going to be growing pains to a different style. It even occurred during the season; the team wanted to have a quick, aggressive offense, but they turned into a methodical defensive team. It didn't help that superstars Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin didn't get off to the best start -- which we heard about, unfortunately, in a profanity-filled rant by the team's CEO around Christmastime. Seguin especially picked things up as the season went on, and the team certainly looked like it had found its stride during the first-round win over the Nashville Predators.

Stars coach Jim Montgomery is a big "process" guy, and shortly after he was hired, ESPN asked the former college coach what would be a success in Year 1. "Success is going to be having the right energy and people believing in the process that we're going to instill." Montgomery said last May. "We're going to have a team identity, and success is going to be the players understanding and valuing that process like I do. If that happens, making the playoffs and everything else is going to come with it."

Keys to the offseason

Re-sign the restricted free agents, or find them a new home. Mattias Janmark, Brett Ritchie, Dickinson, Esa Lindell and Julius Honka all hit RFA status this summer. There are some obvious keepers in this group, including Dickinson, who had an excellent playoffs, and Lindell, who has become an important part of the defensive group. Honka presents a trickier decision. The 2014 first-round pick has fallen out of favor for a while now, and it might be time to look for a trade partner for his negotiating rights -- or cut ties altogether.

Do the UFAs stay or go? Several veterans hit unrestricted free agency on July 1: Jason Spezza, Zuccarello, Ben Lovejoy, Roman Polak and Taylor Fedun among them. It feels like this is probably the 35-year-old Spezza's final year in Dallas. The Stars will probably keep one of either Polak or Lovejoy as a veteran for the blue line.

They should make a strong push to re-sign Zuccarello, who was a terrific offensive spark and meshed well with the team. Seeing as he now has familiarity in Dallas, the team probably has as good as chance as anyone to sign the Norwegian winger.

Add a scoring winger. The Stars likely won't have much cap space. They also are missing some draft capital, which hurts for a trade (they don't have a second- or third-round pick in each of the next two drafts). But GM Jim Nill is likely feeling some pressure to win, and he knows the biggest area of need is scoring. The Stars should consider any and all avenues to acquire more of it.

Impact prospects for 2019-20

Denis Gurianov, LW, age 21: It's taken Gurianov a while to find his game, but it seems like he did that this season, and even earned a 21-game stint with Dallas. The 12th overall pick from 2015 asserted himself offensively much more this season, showcasing an ability to make plays in all areas of the ice. He's always had skill, but now he seems to be using it more effectively, understanding the necessity to make plays quicker and more decisively. That was evident this season more than in any previous viewing. He's also using his size better, and that should allow him to contend for a spot for the Stars' opening-night roster.

Joel L'Esperance, RW, age 23: A valuable undrafted signee, L'Esperance needed no time to make an impact when he joined the AHL Texas Stars last season out of Michigan Tech. He exceeded expectations in 2018-19 and even got some NHL time with Dallas. Because of his size and versatility, he could be a good scoring depth option for next season. The value on his contract -- $722,500, per Cap Friendly -- is another enticing element as he allows for roster flexibility.

Ty Dellandrea, C, age 18: It's not likely that Dellandrea makes the NHL roster out of camp, but he'll be given a shot. The talented center is skilled and has been playing for a very poor Flint team in the OHL these past two seasons. If the Stars feel he has the maturity at least to learn the ropes with their veterans, they might do well to get him into the mix sooner than later. He has the skating ability and the size to hang with pros, it's just a matter of if there's a fit for him next season.

Realistic expectation for 2019-20

With another year of familiarity under Montgomery, the team shouldn't have as slow of a start as they endured in 2018-19. Once again, this should be a playoff team, but they're missing the oomph to go all the way.