Dallas Stars Daily Links: Jamie Benn On Why He Doesn’t Wear A Visor

Back when the Dallas Stars first tried to make Jamie Benn a center, he made a career decision that has followed him ever since:

Moving to the middle of the ice meant Benn was going to take more faceoffs. All of a sudden, the visor he wore during his NHL rookie season was becoming more and more of a hassle.

“Every time I took faceoffs I had sweat dripping in my visor,” Benn said. “And I said after that, ‘I’ll just take it off.’”

Sean Shapiro’s piece at The Athletic DFW takes a look at the “old dinosaurs” who still play without a visor. With three players who skate unshielded, including D-men Marc Methot and Roman Polak, the Stars appear to be behind only the Edmonton Oilers in that picayune metric.

The NHL has mandated visors since 2013-14, with a grandfather rule that allows veteran players to go without one. But even long-timers like the Minnesota Wild’s Ryan Suter can see the benefits of adapting to one:

“Once I started having more kids, I was like, ‘You know what? I’d like to see my kids grow up,’” Suter said. “Everyone, most of the guys wear ’em now. At first, it was a little tough getting used to, something that I’m used to now.”

There’s more under the paywall. [The Athletic DFW]

Stars Stories

Sean Shapiro’s Thursday mailbag comes out later today, but you may still be able to ask your questions here (and find out what’s on other fans’ minds). [The Athletic DFW]

The Stars mic’ed up Jason Spezza for his 1,000th game.

The team faces a challenge in the Toronto Maple Leafs as they look for another road victory tonight at 6 p.m. Central time. [Dallas Stars]

If you’re in the area, you can join the official watch party at one of Dallas’ most iconic dives.

Imagine you’re trick-or-treating in the Toronto suburbs and this guy answers the door.

The Ice Girls nailed these costumes, especially the ones who dressed as Alexander Radulov and John Klingberg.

Around the League(s)

The Halloween #Murder

• Jake Virtanen’s two goals and Antoine Roussel’s final dagger were a nightmare for the Chicago Blackhawks; the Vancouver Canucks won 4-2. [Second City Hockey]

If you think the Thriller Dance is hard to master, imagine doing it on ice.

The Los Angeles Kings are dead last in the league, and starting G Jonathan Quick will be out at least three weeks after knee surgery.

Elsewhere, Roberto Luongo is no longer on IR – and could be back in net for the Florida Panthers during their Global Series game in Finland. [CBS Sports]

In the No News department, the Carolina Hurricanes would like to sign Sebastian Aho long-term sooner rather than later.

And in the history department, Stan Fischler ranks five undersize NHL players with outsize talent and impact.

Finally

Bid a fond farewell to #HockeyHalloween – Charlie McAvoy’s party get-up may have crossed the streams, and we don’t know what could happen next. Enjoy.