After winning the Art Ross Trophy last season, is Jamie Benn destined to bring home more hardware this year? NHL.com’s Dan Rosen certainly seems to think so. Rosen named the Stars captain as his preseason pick for the Hart Trophy, and Tyler Seguin cast a vote of confidence for his teammate.
With an improved cast around him, Benn will nudge out every other elite forward to win the Hart Trophy. He is the preseason choice to be the League’s most valuable player in the 2015-16 season.
“Jamie improves every game and every year,” Stars center Tyler Seguin said. “I’ve only been with him for two years, but as a player and as a person it seems like every week he’s getting stronger and better, and becoming a better leader and better captain. He wants the team to be so successful that he’s making himself better as a player.”
GM Jim Nill also had a few nice things to say about Benn.
“He was nominated as one of the top three players by his own peers and he’s taken that upon himself to say, ‘You know what, that’s an honor, and I want to continue to be that guy,'” Stars general manager Jim Nill said. “It’s his team. He realizes it’s his team now and he’s going to put it on his back any way he can.”
Benn should carry the Stars to the playoffs. He’ll carry the Hart Trophy home from the 2016 NHL Awards show next June.
There’s more on Benn and the guys who could him a run for his money at the link. [NHL.com]
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If you’re having an awful Monday, cheer up! The season starts this week! And if you’re feeling a little panicky after the preseason, here’s a quick reminder:
On a side note, starting next week all 30 teams in NHL will be 0-0-0.
— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) October 4, 2015
Which players in the Western Conference will be feeling the pressure this season? For Dallas, it’s Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi. [NHL.com]
The Stars have their fair share of things to figure out if they want to be successful this season. [DMN]
Former Stars defenseman Stephane Robidas talks about his future in Toronto (and in the NHL), as well as about how he got his chance in Dallas. [TSN]
There was a little goalie movement in Edmonton yesterday:
The #Oilers have placed goaltender Ben Scrivens on waivers for the purpose of assignment.
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 4, 2015
Now that we’re a decade into the Alex Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby debate, it’s time to decide, once and for all, which camp you’re in. [The Hockey News]
Canadiens forward Zack Kassian suffered minor injuries in a car crash on Sunday morning. [CBC]
Andrew Shaw should maybe stick to hockey.
#BearDown ! @shawz15er #Blackhawks #OAKvsCHI pic.twitter.com/wzAg9kJIiP
— Jake robison (@jakerobison1) October 4, 2015
Keep an eye out today and tomorrow for news on the Sharks‘ newest captain. [The Score]
There will be a hearing today for Raffi Torres.
#SJSharks Raffi Torres to have hearing with NHL regarding hit to the head on #Ducks Jakob Silfverberg http://t.co/ZvuQG6ka2o
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) October 5, 2015
Coyotes‘ first-round pick Dylan Strome has been sent down to the OHL. [Five for Howling]
Goalie Jonas Gustavsson, who played for the Red Wings last season, has signed a one-year contract with Boston. [SI]
Bigger nets? A ref sitting in the press box? The Hockey News has a few rule changes they’d like to see in the NHL. [THN]
And finally, Jamie Benn shows off his on-camera chops.