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Last week’s Tyler Seguin extension sent shockwaves of celebration and relief through the Dallas Stars fandom. It was the single most important move of the offseason – but how much more work does the Stars’ top six need? Possibly not as much as you think, if head coach Jim Montgomery is on the right track.
Montgomery saw plenty of Colorado Avalanche games during his tenure at the University of Denver. As a result, he’s developed a high opinion of forward Blake Comeau and his ability to play up and down, writes The Dallas Morning News’ Matthew DeFranks:
“The last three years watching him, he’s just someone where every night, even when he doesn’t have his A game, you’re getting a B game,” Montgomery said. “You never get a C game.”
Montgomery lauded the details in Comeau’s game: his stick placement, his positioning, his ability to support teammates on both ends of the ice.
But Comeau isn’t the only player who could become part of a pick-a-mix assortment, as Montgomery looks to maximize his roster:
“I’d like to find chemistry with three, but my past history, you’ll see a lot of combinations,” Montgomery said. “I want people to play with different people, so when it happens in a game, especially towards the end of the year or in the playoffs, they don’t see it as a panic move. It’s just something that I do.”
Matthew has more. [SportsDayDFW]
Stars Stories
The Stars’ preseason begins at 7:30 p.m. in American Airlines Center against the St. Louis Blues. Meanwhile, Victor E. wants to turn Dallas green and is passing out tickets to opening night if you help out.
We're giving away free tickets to Opening Night, and winning them couldn't be any easier.
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) September 17, 2018
All you have to do is wear your Victory Green! #GoStars pic.twitter.com/vBTPsbFT3w
Tyler Seguin rallies the troops:
“We’re going to be relentless.”
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) September 17, 2018
The boys are ready for October 4. #GoStars pic.twitter.com/kKfHiR583S
DeFranks also has your daily dose of Miro Heiskanen buzz.
.@MDeFranks on how Miro Heiskanen impressed Jim Montgomery on the first day of Stars training camp https://t.co/Uzt8kjgfKx
— SportsDayDFW (@SportsDayDFW) September 14, 2018
Miro lands in Sean Shapiro’s top 10 here, on a list that features a possible surprise at No. 1.
Fantasy Hockey: Ranking the top 20 Calder Trophy candidates for 2018-2019 (from @scottcwheeler) https://t.co/LEJPG2nwGn
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) September 18, 2018
Speaking of Sean, there’s still time to send in questions for his Thursday mailbag. [The Athletic DFW]
And just in case you’re not yet excited enough about the new offense:
Our first article from @KennyMatheson2 looks at the @DallasStars transition game going from dump and chase under Ken Hitchcock to a possession based attack under @StarsMonty and why this should be a welcome change in Dallas. https://t.co/dB21m0UgBD
— The Point (@ThePointHockey) September 17, 2018
Around the League(s)
It’s finally that time again: Last night, in preseason #Murder...
- Filip Forsberg scored a hat trick as the Nashville Predators swarmed the Florida Panthers 5-0 and 5-3 in a double header at BB&T Arena. [NHL]
- The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Minnesota Wild 2-1 on the strength of a 39-save performance by former Edmonton Oilers backup Laurent Brossoit. [NHL]
First controversy of the new season: Joe Morrow’s game-winner wasn’t a real goal.
Jets defenceman Joe Morrow just scored a goal without the puck crossing the goal line. MORE: https://t.co/FrIy4bn7JM pic.twitter.com/shlKofnHO4
— BarDown (@BarDown) September 18, 2018
Say hello to the Panthers’ new captain, Aleksander Barkov.
The Florida Panthers’ best player is now their official leader, too https://t.co/PkNROAaOCs
— SI NHL (@SI_NHL) September 18, 2018
Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored his first preseason goal on his first preseason shot in his first preseason game. He turned 18 in July.
#Canadiens prospect Jesperi Kotkaniemi is looking more and more comfortable on North American ice. (@EricEngels)https://t.co/xULpGt1xEV
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 18, 2018
Darnell Nurse is set to stay in Alberta for the next couple of years.
Oilers sign defenceman Darnell Nurse to a two-year contract https://t.co/kC6g8urUt2
— Globe Sports (@Globe_Sports) September 18, 2018
Do you suppose San Jose Sharks fans are excited about Erik Karlsson? Maybe a little?
Finally
Training camp in Boise has produced some great stories – but the Idaho Steelheads’ equipment manager has to be one of the best. Enjoy, and keep your mouth guard clean.
Steelheads equipment manager Khris Bestel has become unlikely inventor and businessman while trying to better player health https://t.co/BJQnFWYoRc
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) September 17, 2018