The Stars take the spotlight in NHL.com’s season preview. Let’s milk this for all we can, shall we?
Praise be, it’s finally time for the Dallas Stars’ 32 in 32, and now we have content for (literally) days. Tracey Myers took the leadoff position in NHL.com’s multipronged preview of the Stars’ 2024-25 season, and her Inside Look features insights from team members and front office alike.
Let’s get GM Jim Nill’s new variant on “I like where we’re at” out of the way first. The Magic Mustache emphasizes the importance of a strong clubhouse in his signing decisions:
“We’ve added three or four players. That’s going to happen in our sport in the [salary] cap world. There are going to be changes. But I know the core is very strong and we have a good dressing room,” Dallas general manager Jim Nill said….
“It’s been that way since I’ve been here the last eight or nine years, so I’m not too worried about that,” Nill said. “The guys we’re bringing in, from all we’ve heard, are all high-character guys.”
Look for some of your favorite young players – looking at you, Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque – to step into bigger roles as the team plans for a future without Joe Pavelski:
“It’s their turn now,” Nill said. “We saw Mavrik come in in the playoffs and play for us. It’s his turn. Logan Stankoven was here at the end of the year. Some of these young kids, it’s their turn to start grabbing it.
“Some of it, their play has dictated it. They’ve deserved it. Mavrik is an MVP in the American Hockey League, first all-star team, there’s not much more he can do (there). He’s ready for the NHL and we have to count on some other young kids.”
There’s much more at the big site. [NHL]
Stars Stuff
When you’re so good that even being your team’s leading scorer feels anticlimactic…you might be Robo. Mike Heika reviews his story so far.
Around The Leagues
- Indigenous hockey hero Brandon Montour won the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers. Then he got to share his celebration with the Six Nations community he grew up in. [NHL]
- Former Team Canada center Hayley Wickenheiser is one of the Winter Olympics’ most recognizable icons. Carol Schram remind us of her history in the Summer Olympics, too. [The Hockey News]
Finally
OK, this just looks awesome, I don’t care who you are. Enjoy.