After a whirlwind week of acquiring Patrick Sharp, Stephen Johns, and Johnny Oduya, all was quiet on the Dallas Stars front this weekend. Head coach Lindy Ruff did, however, take the time to talk about the hopes he has for the team’s newest acquisitions.
After acknowledging owner Tom Gaglardi’s role in strengthening the roster, he had this to say on Sharp.
“In the top six, he could easily play with [Jamie] Benn and [Tyler] Seguin. We could leave [Patrick] Eaves up top and [Sharp] could play with [Jason] Spezza,” Ruff said. “I think there is an opportunity to play with [Cody] Eakin. I think the flexibility among our top two gives us a lot of good options. It’s made us deeper; it’s made us better. He’s a real nice piece. As a team, we didn’t need more offense but his veteran presence and offense is really going to help.”
With regards to Oduya, Ruff emphasized the importance of leadership and that the defenseman knows what it takes to win the Cup.
“I like the fact that he has been a proven winner now the past two or three years. He’s been a real solid defender, keeps the game simple,” Ruff said. “We know as a team we can score. He should fill the void on the defensive side for Daley. He won’t have the offense, but he’ll give us a solid veteran presence in our top four.”
Ruff also touched briefly on the goaltending situation between Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen.
“I think they will compete for prime time. I feel we don’t have to overplay one guy. That should be good for us. A lot of teams utilized two goalies, needed two goalies to get into the playoffs. You look at the Rangers when [Henrik] Lundqvist went down. Chicago needed their other guy to step in during the first round of the playoffs.
You can check out more of what Ruff had to say right this way. [Stars]
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Rich Peverley’s agent, Allain Roy, has said that Peverley has yet to make a decision about his future in the league. [NHL]
If you missed Jim Nill on TSN Drive last week, he had a few things to say about what the team expects from the now-healthy Valeri Nichushkin. Hint: He expects big things. [DMN]
Nill also took the time to chat with NBC 5’s Pat Doney about the offseason changes. He’s a pretty busy guy, you might say. [NBC DFW]
Over at WFAA, DBD’s own Josh Lile lets us know what we can expect from Johnny Oduya and the Stars next season. [WFAA]
Help is coming on defense, thanks to nineteen-year-old Julius Honka and the newly acquired Stephen Johns. [DMN]
Finally healthy, Radek Faksa is ready to show that he has what it takes to crack an NHL lineup. [Stars]
The Blackhawks held their annual convention over the weekend, and Trevor Daley had a chance to witness all of the hoopla.
Brad Richards was freaked out a bit by the convention last year. Trevor Daley: “Was he? Imagine how I am. At least he was in New York.”
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) July 17, 2015
It also seems that a young Patrick Kane saw Daley play in juniors and thought he was “the best player [I] had ever seen.” [Chicago Sun-Times]
The folks over at Bleacher Report named 10 teams that have improved the most this offseason. You’ll like who gets to be No. 1. [Bleacher Report]
The Stars also landed themselves on a list of non-playoff teams most likely to become playoff teams in 2015-16. [Sportsnet]
The deadline for expansions bids is today, but sources say that Seattle won’t be among those submitting an application. Sorry to any PNWers among us. [KING 5]
Predators coach Peter Laviolette talks 3-on-3 overtime and how the Preds plan to handle the new format. [The Tennessean]
The Great One remains convinced that Connor McDavid can handle the transition to the big leagues. [NHL]
Mumps, the Kings‘ decline, and Andrew Hammond’s miraculous run. Relive the drama that made 2014-15 so much fun.
Who saw it coming? Revisiting our preseason crystal ball and the top stories of 2014-15 http://t.co/85mue6KHZq pic.twitter.com/Gm0zA5GUJX
— SI NHL (@SI_NHL) July 17, 2015
With Cody Franson still on the market, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal takes a look at the former Predators defenseman. [Edmonton Journal]
There’s more on Franson and the other UFAs without a home—including Christian Ehrhoff and Alexander Semin—over at CBS Sports. [CBS Sports]
You can count the Blue Jackets among the teams interested in potentially signing Ehrhoff. [Columbus Dispatch]
Despite the Flyers‘ best efforts, Vincent Lecavalier will still be wearing orange and black for the foreseeable future. [The Score]
Former center Bernie Nicholls shares a candid look at how hockey affected his health and why he’s suing the NHL. [New York Daily News]
And finally, Tyler Seguin spent this weekend advocating for Tom Brady. You can take the boy outta Boston…
#FreeBrady #DefendTheWall @tseguinofficial pic.twitter.com/DDwPuwnZpF
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 18, 2015