Dallas Stars Daily Links: #HeyHeika Grades Jim Montgomery’s Preseason So Far

The Dallas Stars have given fans plenty to talk about during the 2018-19 preseason. Senior staff writer Mike Heika took on almost all of it during his weekly #HeyHeika chat yesterday.

Mike jumped right into the discussion of head coach Jim Montgomery’s transition from the NCAA to the NHL:

I think he’s definitely finding the right energy with the players. He has their respect already, because of his ideas and because he was a player, and he is fostering a very positive vibe right now. Can he keep that going if there are hiccups? We’ll see. But the 3-0-1 preseason start and general confidence around the team have to be seen as really nice first steps.

He also offered his take on how the preseason has treated Julius Honka and Roope Hintz – including the progress of Li’l Murderface’s #UnHitch-ing:

Honka is going to be a regular, I believe. He was given top minutes in Tulsa and struggled with that role Saturday, but I think he will be fine on the third pairing. Roope looked great on Monday, but the contracts still favor him starting in the AHL. We’ll see if he forces them to make a tough decision before opening night with his performance in his remaining preseason games.

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[Honka] has had some challenges, but I think his skillset will work great with this style of play. He needs to stop thinking so much and just trust his instincts, but I think he will.

But did he finally touch the third rail here?

...While no steps have been taken in even thinking about a design for a third jersey, the team would consider starting discussion if they get put into one of the outdoor games in the future. There are current discussions in which an outdoor game would include Dallas (which has never been a part of an outdoor game), so if that happens, the talk on a third jersey will get started.

There’s much more at Mike’s place. [Dallas Stars]

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Stars Stories

Sean Shapiro has his own weekly mailbag coming up tomorrow. There may still be time to send your questions.

Mark Stepneski keeps you posted on the Stars’ practice times:

Somebody up there (in Frisco) likes you: Stars fans will be able to stream this Sunday’s preseason game against the Colorado Avalanche.

Around the League(s)

Last night, in the #Death preview:

• The Nashville Predators stumbled in a 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, featuring a 28-save performance by Scott Darling. [On The Forecheck]
• Pheonix Copley notched a 42-save shutout as the St. Louis Blues got blanked by the Washington Capitals, 4-0. [NHL]
• And Andreas Athanasiou earned four apples during the Chicago Blackhawks’ 8-6 defeat by the Detroit Red Wings. [Second City Hockey]

The Columbus Blue Jackets must be lighting candles to the hockey gods right now. Blueline star Seth Jones left early during last night’s 4-2 Hockeyville win over the Buffalo Sabres.

ICYMI: Shea Theodore’s long commutes are well and truly over – he signed a longterm deal with the Vegas Golden Knights late Monday night.

Will the terms of this extension shake something loose as the Toronto Maple Leafs try to come to terms with another rising star, William Nylander?

Under the circumstances, this joke just seems cruel.

Did you know that the San Jose Sharks have had the NHL’s worst average drafting position since 2003? It’s just one of the interesting facts Elliotte Friedman mentions as he unpacks the Erik Karlsson trade.

Speaking of the Ottawa Senators, the internet remembers everything.

Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park

Finally, Austin Metro gets its hockey back on:

Coach Derek Laxdal shared some thoughts after the Texas Stars’ first day of camp.

Finally

Even though Erin is focusing on her career in medicine at the moment, her hockey observation game remains strong. Enjoy.