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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Jason Spezza Intends To Be That Guy Again

“I’m here to produce – that’s what I expect of myself.” Plus, Erik Karlsson rumors reach full boil, a domestic-violence suspension rocks the NHL, and much more.

By Kathleen Tibbetts

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Dallas Stars v New York Islanders Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Jason Spezza has been a franchise center his entire career, and he’s ready to get back to it. With a new head coach and a new system, he’s heading into the last year of his Dallas Stars contract determined and confident about a return to form.

Fans have long suspected that Ken Hitchcock’s dump-and-chase hockey was especially limiting to Spezza’s style and abilities, and he doesn’t exactly deny it in a new interview with Mike Heika:

“It was tough, it wasn’t a great year for me,” Spezza said. “I think it’s given me some fire, and sometimes you need that. Sometimes I think I can take for granted how well my career has gone and how easily I’ve produced over the years. So having a year where I wasn’t happy, that has put fire in my belly, and that might extend my career a few years.”

Dallas Stars

For his part, Jim Montgomery believes that the 35-year-old 2C is “going to be a big part of what we do”:

“His ability to win faceoffs is big,” Montgomery said. “He’s going to take more D-zone faceoffs than he has in the past, because I’m a big believer that you put centers in a position to succeed, and with us having two righties and two lefties like we do, that’s a big help. They are all good at faceoffs, and I think using your centers on their strong side will only make them better.”

There’s always more at Mike’s place – including some great Speznasty highlight videos. [Dallas Stars]

Stars Stories

The Stars have put up a landing site for all the news from Boise. Favorite it now. [Dallas Stars Training Camp Central]

Dallas Stars Training Camp 2018 Dallas Stars

The Stars appear on a list of seven Western Conference teams who could claw their way back to the playoffs this season. [NHL]

Anton Khudobin has a new mask designed by Sylvie Marsolais, and all our Harry Potter fans have something to look forward to. (But not Emma Watson. Maybe next time.)

This just in: Country music legend George Strait will drop the puck on opening night.

And if your Seguin-xiety is beginning to interfere with your personal life, take a deep, cleansing breath and know that things seem to be looking up between Tyler Seguin and the Stars.

Around the League(s)

The Erik Karlsson trade rumors are heating up again. Could the deal happen before the weekend?

Rumor has it that the “team out West” is the San Jose Sharks – but could the Vegas Golden Knights still be in the mix?

Like smoke from the roof of the Vatican, the Karlsson trade will signal that the Ottawa Senators rebuild has officially begun. Jared Clinton examines what that might look like.

Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson has been suspended for 27 games, plus the preseason after pleading no contest in a domestic violence case involving his girlfriend. The NHLPA will file an appeal on his behalf. [USA Today]

Elsewhere, Bettman says the league just “complying” with the court as its concussion lawsuit goes into mediation. [ABC News]

John Tortorella will be bossing the Columbus Blue Jackets for at least two more years.

And as the NHL heads for camp, Sportsnet is keeping track of every player who’s going on a professional try-out contract – from Scottie Upshall to Lee Stempniak to Jussi Jokinen.

Finally

After their first game of the season, the Humboldt Broncos raised 29 ceremonial banners to honor the victims and survivors of the tragedy that shook the team last April. [ESPN]