Johnny Oduya believes Stars are on the rise: 'The potential is there, I guarantee it'

Johnny Oduya doesn't see his move to Dallas as one that will take him too far south.

Geographically, perhaps, but not necessarily in terms of the NHL standings. And considering he decided to step away from the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks in order to sign with a Stars club that missed the playoffs this past season, that speaks volumes.

"Maybe last year was not the result the organization wanted, but the potential is there, I guarantee it," Oduya told Mike Heika of the Dallas News. "It could be a matter of just one or two players maturing a little bit more and taking that extra step and breaking through that barrier."

While there's no doubting the star power up front, with the likes of Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, Jason Spezza, and Patrick Sharp (who also came over from the Blackhawks via trade earlier this summer), it's on the blue line where that potential needs to actualize in order for Dallas to take a step forward.

At 33 years of age, Oduya becomes the oldest member of the Stars defense corps by six years, with the youngest of the bunch - John Klingberg - being perhaps the best of the bunch. Oduya sees his veteran presence serving as aid in the 22-year-old's development.

"It's fun to watch him play. He's very dynamic," Oduya said of Klingberg. "He reminds me a lot of Erik Karlsson (two-time Norris Trophy winner) coming up. He has the potential to be a great defenseman. It's going to be good."

Oduya will also be tasked with improving the team's goals against, which ranked 26th last season and was a major factor in the failure to reach the playoffs.

Either way, after having already achieved the greatest team success, Oduya seems excited to turn the page.

"It's a new challenge and a new chapter," he said. "It's going to be a lot of fun."