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The bad news for the Dallas Stars is that star defender Stephen Johns has an undisclosed ailment that has put him on the injured reserve list. The good news is that they appear to have made a sound decision to trade a conditional seventh-round pick for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Connor Carrick yesterday.
GM Jim Nill explained the reasoning behind the deal, as documented by Sean Shapiro of The Athletic:
“You can never have enough depth on defense,” [Nill] said. “We’re gonna start the year now, we already got one guy banged up in Stephen Johns, we’ll know more in the next couple days where he is at. The other thing is we are very young on the back end. [Miro] Heiskanen is a good player, he’s going to be a great player, but it is his first year in the league. Julius Honka is still a young player in the league, and it’s a tough league for young defensemen. You can never have enough depth between injuries.”
He also took a good look at the signing in terms of how Carrick may fit into the organization:
Carrick brings a similar game to [Gavin] Bayreuther, but he’s slightly more refined due to his NHL experience. Based on conversations with a couple of NHL scouts after the trade, Carrick is viewed as a player with decent offensive skills and a good shot. He plays well in transition despite being an average skater.
He likes to make plays with the puck and thrives when given the green light in that regard, which should be the case in Dallas.
...
Carrick struggled to stick in the lineup in Toronto on a consistent basis and was often behind [Roman] Polak on Mike Babcock’s depth chart last season. Babcock was looking for more of a stay-at-home defender in his third-pairing role and Carrick didn’t fit.
There’s more behind the paywall. [The Athletic DFW]
Stars Stories
Sean also shared Nill’s thoughts after putting forward Remi Elie on waivers:
Nill said he hopes Elie gets claimed, "he deserves to be in the NHL." But if he doesn't get claimed, selfishly he's happy about having Elie on the AHL roster.
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) October 1, 2018
And speaking of Sean, his brand-new book will be here in exactly one week.
Book hits shelves on Oct. 9. You can order it here: https://t.co/OIYkSP8UyB Also I have a book signing on Oct. 10 at HalfPrice Books in Dallas and on Oct. 17 at Barnes and Noble in Lewisville.
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) October 1, 2018
@NHL is excited about Ben Bishop’s new cage, created by the legendary David Gunnarsson.
If there's one word to describe @Benbishop30's new @DallasStars mask, it's electrifying. ⚡⭐ (created by: @daveartofficial) pic.twitter.com/B3kkHnTgVf
— NHL (@NHL) October 1, 2018
The most fun thing about this photo is that “tiny” Honks had to stand one step down to keep from blocking the teammates behind him.
A day at the park
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) October 2, 2018
Tonight is our annual Season Ticket Holder event at @SixFlagsOverTX! pic.twitter.com/Ma6XG2HsDL
If you’re a college student, or you know one, you might be interested in this opportunity to work with the Stars.
Come work with us! ⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/xG49RGl00y
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) September 29, 2018
Around the League(s)
It was all quiet in the Central Division last night, so we can get right down to the headlines. First of all, former seventh-round draft pick Radim Vrbata is ending a 16-year NHL career.
Radim Vrbata is retiring from hockey after 16 NHL seasons.https://t.co/kBUmUuVBxz
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 1, 2018
Five years ago, the Arizona Coyotes or the Florida Panthers both had openings with a blog I wrote for.
— Catherine Silverman (@catmsilverman) October 1, 2018
Getting the chance to cover Radim Vrbata was what swayed my decision. What a career; only 60 players drafted after him in 1999, only 3 finished with more points. https://t.co/VEkfpfVY83
On the other end of the career spectrum, Nico Hischier turns out to be a gift to the NHL’s international outreach program.
Nico Hischier (@NJDevils) gives @scbern_news fans a night to remember in Switzerland https://t.co/RXkXjovM31 via @NHL
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) October 2, 2018
Even on injured reserve, Shea Weber has the confidence of the Montreal Canadiens: He’s just been named their 30th captain.
“I just want to make sure everyone knows they’re just as valuable, and we’re not looking at how much somebody makes or how much ice time you play. Everyone is just as important to the team.” -Shea Weber
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 1, 2018
WATCH ➡️ https://t.co/qOYm7eMYwd#GoHabsGo
The Boston Bruins have lost Torey Krug for at least three weeks after he reinjured the left ankle he broke during the playoffs.
When it comes to injuries, the Bruins are in midseason form... https://t.co/lpLTOwXque
— Stanley Cup of Chowder (@cupofchowdah) October 1, 2018
The player most endangered by Tom Wilson may be Tom Wilson. He has an in-person DoPS hearing on Wednesday, and the Washington Capitals can’t be too happy about it.
Tom Wilson ejected for high hit; another suspension coming? https://t.co/aafZe0ZRHE
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) September 30, 2018
Check this angle on the hit under review, dealt to the St. Louis Blues’ Oskar Sundqvist:
Here's another look at the Tom Wilson hit from front row seats by the penalty box (Video: @HPayneBliss) pic.twitter.com/SzZrxaXVzA
— RMNB (@russianmachine) October 1, 2018
Anton Burdasov, currently stacking apples with Salavat Yulaev, could become the next KHL star to make the jump to the NHL.
Anton Burdasov, one of the leading KHL goal scorers at the moment, told @Boogaard_2 he wants to try himself in the NHL next season. Burdasov will be an UFA next year
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) September 30, 2018
Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park
The Texas Stars are welcoming goalies Landon Bow and Colton Point to training camp.
Goaltenders Landon Bow and Colton Point are on their way to Texas from Dallas.
— Texas Stars (@TexasStars) October 1, 2018
Read: https://t.co/gerfFCAA3M pic.twitter.com/x3ypq5w2iX
With the NHL cuts almost complete, Ryan Pennington examines the state of the T-Stars roster. [100 Degree Hockey]
Send Justin Dowling your best wishes – he celebrated his birthday yesterday.
Happy birthday, Dowling! pic.twitter.com/F6RFdf8Uw8
— Texas Stars (@TexasStars) October 1, 2018
Finally
You already know some of the advantages of the Stars’ trade for Connor Carrick. You may not know that one of them is his French bulldog, Hoagie, plus her Instagram account. Now you do. Enjoy.
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