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Dallas Stars Daily Links: A Closer Look at Offer Sheets

Posted on by Melissa Flandreau

Offer sheets became something of a hot topic as this year’s postseason wound down, with speculation out there that the Penguins might offer sheet Chicago’s Brandon Saad, or that Edmonton might swoop in and take Dougie Hamilton off Boston’s hands.

But will we really see RFA drama unfold this year? Sports Illustrated’s Allen Muir has a reality check for us.

It’s not a fear of retaliation that prevents teams from offer-sheeting a promising young free agent. The real reason, the exec explained, is that teams are never as susceptible to having a young star player poached as fans think.

“You might look at a [team’s salary] cap situation and think there’s a vulnerability but it’s never that simple,” he said. “No [general manager] wants to be the guy who let a special player get away. … He may have to make some tough decisions [regarding other players on his roster] but they’ll be his decisions.”

There’s also the issue of compensation to consider, and the fact that as the value of the offer sheet goes up, fewer teams have the necessary picks to offer.

So unless they first work deals to re-acquire previously traded picks, that stipulation precludes the Penguins, Predators, Islanders, Sabres, Rangers, Lightning, Blackhawks, Sharks, Flyers, Stars, Panthers, Senators, Blue Jackets, Wild, Capitals, Canucks, Blues and Ducks from getting in on any bidding that tops $3.4 million annually.

Like Muir says, it’s always fun to speculate and talk yourself into believing your fantasy roster is possible. And maybe it is—just not this year. [SI]

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So, how’s everyone doing without hockey? Finding yourself suddenly much more invested in baseball?

To recap on what went down in the Stars’ corner of the universe yesterday, both Patrik Nemeth and Jack Campbell were signed to contract extensions. [Stars]

The Stars also released their preseason schedule, so pull out your calendars and pencil in the dates. [Stars]

New play-by-play guy Dave Strader was on the Ticket yesterday morning, and you can hear what he had to say.

The Senators are looking to unload either Craig Anderson or Robin Lehner ahead of this year’s draft. The asking price is a top-six forward and a draft pick. [The Ottawa Sun]

Bleacher Report put together a breakdown of what every NHL team needs this offseason. I won’t give you any guesses on what the Stars need because you already know the answer. [Bleacher Report]

What’s Don Cherry up in arms about today? He’s currently expressing his disagreement with how Lightning coach Jon Cooper employed Steven Stamkos in the Final. [CBC]

More of the coaching staff for the 2016 U.S. National Junior team was announced.

In other coaching news, former Oilers coach Todd Nelson will reportedly step behind the bench for the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s AHL affiliate. [The Hockey News]

Apparently, a lot of retired hockey players find their way to Wall Street, including Miracle on Ice forward Rob McClanahan. Who knew? [Business Insider]

Seth Jones and his mother, Amy, have been living together in Nashville, but the young defenseman is ready to set out on his own. (Meanwhile, younger brother Caleb is forging his own path to the NHL.) [The Tennessean]

Everyone’s probably sick of dynasty talk by now, but just in case you’re ready to read up on the best ones in the past 60 years, ESPN’s got you covered. (Yes, the current Blackhawks are on there. Sorry.) [ESPN]

Chin up, Steven Stamkos. A lot of all-time greats didn’t do so hot during their first Stanley Cup Final. [Sports Illustrated]

If, for whatever reason, you feel called to get a tattoo celebrating your team’s championship, please wait until you know they’ve won. Please. [My Fox Chicago]

It turns out we were all wrong. The Chicago Blackhawks didn’t actually win the Stanley Cup. [Puck Daddy]

And finally, yesterday was the one-year anniversary of the Texas Stars’ Calder Cup victory.

Go remind yourself of Patrik Nemeth’s title-clinching goal.

Talking Points