Stargazing is a daily assortment of Dallas Stars news, as well as a look at what's happening around the Pacific division and the rest of the NHL.
Draft week arrives this Monday morning, and Defending Big D will be here for you every day with player profiles and all the links you need to gear up for the big day, culminating in LIVE coverage of Draft Day from the Bell Center by our very own Brandon Worley.
Mike Heika of the The Dallas Morning News raises the following question: Could the best goaltender in the draft be available to the Stars at 38?
Because the Stars used their first overall pick (the 59th overall) to draft goalie Tyler Beskorowany last year, I assumed they would not be interested in taking a goalie at 38th this season, but I asked around and they seem intrigued by the group of net minders available.
There are probably five goalies who will go between 30-50, and the top goalie in the draft might not be off the board when the Stars pick in the second round at 38.
Additional thanks to Mr. Heika for the following:
- Kyle Woodlief looks at the goaltender class of 2009
- The Denver post reacquaints you with Stars prospect Richard Bachman, a bit old, but well worth the read.
TML Fan Fury brings you a mock draft, with the Stars taking defenseman Ryan Ellis at #8:
Dallas Stars (8th Overall Pick)
Ryan Ellis (Windsor Spitfires, OHL) Defensemen
Ellis is a tremendous power play point man with great vision and calm in the back end. The Stars are looking for Zubov's potential replacement and have found it in Ellis
I wanted to provide links for reading up on Joel Lundqvist's departure, but as of the wee hours of Monday, it seems we're the only English speaking site talking about it. So in case you missed it, Swedish web site Expressen.se reports that Joel Lundqvist has signed a 6 year deal with Frolunda.
Around the Pacific:
- The OC Register says Scott Niedermayer is thinking long and hard about his future, and will let the Ducks know as early as this week.
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Examiner.com assures Shark fans that Big Joe and head coach Todd McLellan will be San Jose Sharks next year. Could Rob Blake come back and play again for the Sharks?
- AZcentral.com: The Stars no longer have to deal with Steven Reinprecht six times a year, as the Coyotes traded his rights to the Florida Panthers. The Coyotes did however sign Petr Prucha to a two year deal.
Around the NHL:
- Greg Logan of newsday.com suggests the Islanders take Matt Duchene at #1, not Tavares. While it could be that history will vindicate him, I can't imagine that's a popular opinion amongst Islander fans. Wherever they are.
- Tom Hicks' partner in Liverpool ownership crime, George Gillett, has reached an agreement to sell the Canadiens to the Molson family.
News of the deal comes a little over two weeks after Liverpool's accountants warned of ''significant doubt'' over the club's parent company's ability to continue as a going concern with debt repayments due on July 24.
The company formed by Gillett and Hicks suffered a loss of £42.6m ($70.5m) last year, largely on interest repayments. The pair took out aloan of £350m ($580m) when they bought the club in 2007.
While Hicks and Gillett have been seeking other investors for Liverpool, they have so far come back empty-handed,meaning funds from a sale of the Canadiens could be needed to help cover upcoming payments.
Gillett accomplished what Hicks has yet to with the Rangers: Given himself perceived breathing room to take care of his other situations, mainly Liverpool FC in this case.