There are plenty of players the Stars could go after this offseason, but over at Today’s Slapshot, Carolyn Wilke warns against signing free agents Milan Lucic and Troy Brouwer and re-signing trade deadline addition Kris Russell.
Brouwer, who scored again for the Blues last night, will likely ride his postseason performance into big contract this summer. But that doesn’t mean the Stars should be the team to offer it.
… the Stars will need to beef up their bottom six, as it’s quite possible they lose at least one of Travis Moen, Vern Fiddler, Patrick Eaves, or Colton Sceviour to free agency. Plus, Brouwer brings the same kind of grittiness that people like so much about Milan Lucic.
…
But again, history tells us that it won’t be a similar contract next year – his postseason will be fresh on general manager’s minds, overinflating his value.
And with “overripe” prospects Brett Ritchie and Curtis McKenzie pushing to make the NHL full-time next season, the Stars may already have two big power-forward types that can fill a Brouwer-sized hole.
There’s more on why the Stars should avoid these three players at the link. [Today’s Slapshot]
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Don’t forget to catch up on the latest episode of Stars Sunday.
The new #StarsSunday (Episode 30) from May 22 is now posted:@DallasStars website: https://t.co/9yTiUeMsUg
iTunes: https://t.co/i10LjSRJR8
— Owen Newkirk (@OwenNewkirk) May 23, 2016
Mike Heika took to Twitter yesterday to answer a few questions, including one on Julius Honka‘s role next season.
Guess is he plays most of next season in AHL (he turns 21 on Dec. 3). Could be late season call-up like Johns. https://t.co/hBIIy9wFuR
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) May 23, 2016
Thanks to a pair of timely goals from Joe Pavelski, the Sharks beat the Blues 6-3 to take a 3-2 series lead. [Fear the Fin]
Evgeni Malkin isn’t nervous about tonight’s Game 6 in Tampa. According to Geno, the Penguins are “coming back to Pittsburgh for sure.”[Sportsnet]
It seems like everyone has a story about Joe Thornton‘s generosity—including Stars’ PR guy Tom Holy. [ESPN]
The Hurricanes are making moves to sign RFA defenseman Victor Rask.
Francis says he has “reached out” to Victor Rask’s agent about a contract and is waiting on a response. Rask is a restricted free agent.
— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) May 23, 2016
Kerry Fraser talks about why letting penalties go in the playoffs can set a bad precedent. [TSN]
Assistant coaches Darryl Sydor and Rick Wilson won’t be returning to the Wild next season. [Star-Tribune]
The Panthers still aren’t done shaking things up.
.@FlaPanthers GM Tom Rowe confirms firing of Scott Luce, longtime director of scouting/player personnel. ‘We wanted a different voice’
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) May 23, 2016
ESPN’s Scott Burnside takes a stab at predicting the final Team USA roster for the World Cup. [ESPN]
After Russia’s bronze medal win at the World Championship, head coach Oleg Znarok described the absence of Oilers forward Nail Yakupov as “addition by subtraction.” Ouch. [The Hockey News]
And finally, Jon Hamm amped up the star power in St. Louis last night.
Did you think Jon Hamm was going to miss this game? Neither did we! #stlblues #StanleyCup #WeAllBleedBlue pic.twitter.com/orW0XzISs8
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) May 24, 2016