When Jamie Oleksiak was traded from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Dallas Stars in 2019, he brought with him a wealth of knowledge about the strengths of his former team. As a defenseman who had spent two-and-a-half seasons with the Penguins, Oleksiak had a unique perspective on the team’s strengths and weaknesses.
Oleksiak was able to provide the Stars with insight into the Penguins’ defensive system, which is based on a strong transition game. The Penguins rely heavily on their defensemen to move the puck up the ice quickly and efficiently, and Oleksiak was able to provide the Stars with a better understanding of how to replicate that system. He also provided insight into the Penguins’ offensive system, which is based on quick puck movement and creating space for their skilled forwards.
In addition to his knowledge of the Penguins’ systems, Oleksiak was also able to provide the Stars with insight into the team’s personnel. He was familiar with the Penguins’ core players, such as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and was able to provide the Stars with an understanding of how those players could be used most effectively. He was also familiar with the Penguins’ depth players, and was able to provide the Stars with an understanding of how those players could be used to complement their core players.
Oleksiak’s knowledge of the Penguins has been invaluable for the Stars. His insight has allowed them to replicate some of the Penguins’ success, as they have been able to implement some of their systems and personnel decisions. As a result, the Stars have become one of the top teams in the NHL, and Oleksiak’s knowledge has been a major factor in their success.