Dallas Stars Daily Links: Kari Lehtonen Gets To Experience His First Dad's Trip

The bond between father and son is often a special one for hockey players. Years of early morning practice and ice times, tournaments, games, and sacrifices endured by both parent and athlete to try to reach that ultimate level of play -- the NHL. This season, the Dallas Stars are inviting these special men in the lives of their players to join them on a "Dad's Trip" out in Phoenix and San Jose this week.

Mark Stepenski wrote about the experience for the Stars official site. One thing I didn't realize was that in all these years since Kari Lehtonen has been in the NHL he's never experienced a dad's trip before.

I've never been a part of anything like this, so I am sure it is going to be fun," Kari Lehtonen said. "It's going to be fun for him to see what I do, and what happens here.

You hear about so many teams doing them these days, I guess I figured that most of the veteran players had been part of one. Learn something new every day!

In the "other new things I learned today" category: Mike Heika taught me this morning that Stars general manager Jim Nill and old Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson have a lot of similarities. Disclaimer -- I am not a Dallas Cowboys fan. I grew up in a house where you rooted against them, regardless of who they played. So I never would have seen this without Heika's great writing. [Dallas Morning News]

Jaromir Jagr knows Valeri Nichushkin is going to be one of the best players in the world. How? "Cause I know." [Star Telegram]

Although I don't like the Detroit Red Wings all that much, I cannot help but watch in awe when Pavel 'The Magic Man' Datsyuk does his thing on ice. It's quite beautiful to watch. Which is why the Red Wings probably would prefer he be healed for the push after the Olympic break (he's already missed 19 games this season.) But that choice isn't exactly in their hands. [Puck Daddy]

A facet of Olympic hockey most don't pay attention to is the women's national team. Here, a nice feature on Julie Chu who has medaled in the last three Olympic games. [Boston Herald]

How will Team Canada do at the Olympics? Here is the positive outlook and here is the negative outlook. Just a little bit longer before we'll get to see the answer in action.

Alex Ovechkin is on target to record his fifth 50-goal season this year. But he's being criticized for not doing enough on the defensive end of the ice. Apparently he needs to do it all. [The Hockey News]

More trade deadline articles - tis the silly season, after all! Here, a list of guys that are intriguing players that could be moved (a lot of them are from the East.) [USA Today] And it looks like Thomas Vanek may not want to stay with the New York Islanders after all. He's reportedly turned down the Isle's contract offer that would pay him around what he's getting now. [News Day]

Not only will the Phoenix Coyotes will become the Arizona Coyotes next season, they'll have throwback jerseys too! Rumor is the new owner may be considering a complete rebranding -- something that can be really good for a franchise if done well. [SB Nation]

Sumo suits, cowboy hats, and video bombs. Welcome to Calgary! [Puck Daddy]

I'm not sure we've ever run this, but I've seen it in the arena a few times. It's the Dallas Stars' "Best of 2013" and it has some great highlights in there. Which is your favorite?