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.
The 2009 NHL entry draft is in the books. Life long dreams for a lot of young men came true, a plethora of deals were made, the salary cap was set, and a LOT of French was spoken. Let Defending Big D recap the Stars draft weekend for you and get you caught up on news from around the league as we now look forward to free agency on Wednesday.
Stars Draft Recap:
1st Round: Scott Glennie, RW, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Defending Big D was live on the draft floor and collected some quotes from Mr. Glennie himself, such as which player he patterns himself after:
More of a Jeff Carter type of player. He's got a good shot coming off the wing and has a good snap and uses his body to his advantage to lean into guys, and definitely a pretty intelligent player in the National Hockey League.
- Winnipeg Sun on Glennie
- Pegasus News on Glennie
- Dallas Morning news: Stars fill a need for speed with Glennie
- Will play in this years Traverse City Prospects tournament (Dallas Morning News)
Follow the jump for more in depth looks at each Dallas Stars draft pick, as well as a look around the league.
2nd Round: Alex Chiasson, RW, Des Moines (USHL)
We also have a feature on Alex Chiasson, found here. He discussed things like his weight with us:
"I'm actually headed out to BU tomorrow, so I'll work out there," he said with determined look on his face. "Ya know I'm 6-3, 195 right now and to take it to the next level I need to get bigger, put on some pounds."
Chiasson is listed at 182 lbs, and it seems he's already started working on building up for college hockey.
- Defending Big D live at the draft: Stars select Alex Chiasson
- Hockey's Future on Alex Chiasson
- Des Moines Register on Chiasson
3rd Round: Reilly Smith, RW, St. Michaels (OHL)
A skilled center who's known as a play maker. He had 75 points in 49 games for St. Michael's of the Ontario Junior Hockey league last season.
- Defending Big D live at the draft: Stars select Reilly Smith
- Andrew's Stars page with his player profile:
Has a laser beam wrist shot that he can pinpoint to corners, but if he’s not scoring, he has little impact on the game. Several clubs are staying mum on their interest in the kid because they're hoping to steal him with a mid-round pick."
- Red Line Report 2009 Draft Guide
5th Round: Tomas Vincour, C, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Defending Big D's Brandon Worley says:
He's a big (6-3, 202) forward who has good hands and a great shot. Above average stickhandling ability along the boards and is good in tight spaces.
Not that great of a skater and didn't really improve in his second season in the WHL.
- Defending Big D live at the draft: Stars select Tomas Vincour
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Will play in this years Traverse City Prospects tournament (Dallas Morning News)
- Andrew's Stars page player profile
6th Round: Curtis McKenzie, LW, Penticton Veez (BCHL)
Courtesy of "NHL Draft Notes":
Strengths: Gritty two-way game. Underrated skill. Plays with a lot of fire and likes to throw the body around.
Weaknesses: Skating is so-so at best.
- Defending Big D live at the draft: Stars select Curtis Mckenzie
- Mike Heika says he's a "very good leader".
- Andrews Stars Page Player Profile: Curtis McKenzie
- Hockey's Future: Curtis McKenzie
The Stars traded their 7th round pick to San Jose for their 6th rounder next year.
Where's the defense, you ask?
Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News asked the teams director of amateur scouting about the selections:
"They were the best guys we could get at where we were picking," he said. "I mean, we could have targeted a defenseman, but the draft didn't fall that way to us. I think we would rather have too many wings that are all too good rather than have a defenseman who we don't think will pan out."
We'll get the defense we need on July 1st, perhaps?
Nieuwendyk said his plan is patience. He will wait and see and judge things as they come. He has no plans to jump into free agency on the first day, and he will try to find the best value in each move he makes before October.
- CBC says Jonas Gustavsson's choice will come early this week, and he's narrowed his search
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Defending Big D yesterday on the lack of Gustavsson news
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Dallasstars.com has a review of the players selected on day 2, with quotes from NHL and Stars scouts.
- Tim Wharsnby breaks down the draft by country. 55 Americans drafted.
Around the Pacific:
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The OC Register reviews the Ducks draft. [Editors note: Every time I click around the OC Register and LA Times web sites, I thank the hockey gods for sending Mike Heika to Dallas]
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Battle of California is upbeat in dealing with the Chris Pronger trade
- And they offer a VERY hot sports opinion on what they would do if the Kings signed Marian Hossa.
- Selanne will continue to play at his bargain price, says: "The return of defenseman Scott Niedermayer "made my decision easier". We bet it did. [LA TIMES]
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The Coyotes drafted 5 players, and acquired 3 defensemen, giving me new defensemen envy (until I saw the names) [USA TODAY]
Around the NHL:
Please be sure to support fellow SB Nation blogs that were also present, covering the draft for you:
- From the Rink
- Habs Eyes on the Prize
- Bird Watchers Anonymous
- Broad Street Hockey
- Die By the Blade
- Pension Plan Puppets
- Blue Shirt Banter
- And Pensburgh
The Edmonton Sun was unimpressed with their perceived lack of deals done this weekend:
"There's a general conservatism because of the uncertainty (with the salary cap and the economy). You feel the market is going to adjust and you want to experience that adjustment first before you start shuffling.
"That's the only reason I can think that there weren't many moves and that's the feeling I'm getting from speaking to a couple of GMs."
- TSN: Jay Bouwmeester's rights go to the Calgary Flames
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Marian Hossa will likely not return to the Red Wings
- Foxsports.com says the time is now for the Flyers, following the Pronger deal