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Dallas Stars Daily Links: “Funny Guy” Patrick Sharp Settling In With Stars

When Patrick Sharp played for the Blackhawks, he developed a reputation as a bit of a prankster. That personality is starting to shine through with the Stars—even though Sharp’s previous encounters with Dallas could’ve made it difficult.

“I looked around the room when I first came here and I think in the last five years I probably got into it with 10 or 12 guys on this team on the ice at some different point in the season,” Sharp said. “We’ve been able to have a laugh about some of those times now. It’s an easy group to fit into. These guys have fun. You can tell they care about each other.”

They definitely care about Sharp.

“The guys love him,” Stars captain Jamie Benn said.

Benn went on to describe Sharp as a “funny guy” who has fit in well in Dallas. Jason Spezza, who, like Sharp, has young children, has become close with the former Hawk and agreed.

There was an expectation that he would bring immediate accountability to the team. Sharp laughs at that because he said all he wanted to do was fit in. Spezza said the players thought differently.

“Oh for sure, you listen to him when he speaks,” Spezza said. “He’s able to have good perspectives on certain situations that happen throughout a season. When you’re that experienced you know there are going to be ups and downs. But when he speaks it definitely carries weight because he’s been there and he’s seen it.”

For more on Sharp, head to the link. [Stars]

Hopefully everyone’s doing okay without any Stars hockey to watch. The players spent their Tuesday night off at the annual Casino Night.

Who wouldn’t want to be interviewed by noted troublemakers Jason Demers and Antoine Roussel?

Even the rookies enjoyed themselves.

From Jamie Oleksiak’s future to the pros of keeping Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin on separate lines, Mike Heika tells you everything you want to know in the latest iteration of his weekly Stars chat. [SportsDayDFW]

Lindy Ruff offers updates ahead of the team’s Friday tilt with Anaheim. Both Jordie Benn and Ales Hemsky are expected to be ready to Duck hunt. [SportsDayDFW]

Tyler Seguin made his weekly guest appearance on The Ticket. [BaD]

Jamie Benn also got in on the radio fun and chatted with 105.3 The Fan.

You can listen to the Captain talk double dates and Mike Modano at the link. [105.3 The Fan]

Scott Cullen dishes out awards for the season so far, and the aforementioned Benn and Seguin are among the runners-up for the Hart Trophy. [TSN]

Which sophomores are slumping and which are on the rise? Thankfully for the Stars, John Klingberg falls into the second category. [ESPN]

Speaking of Klingberg, he continues to generate Norris Trophy buzz at the season’s midway point.

The Dallas Stars have the NHL’s most dynamic offence and Klingberg is a catalyst for much of it.

Through 44 games in his sophomore season, the 23-year-old Swede ranks second in defencemen scoring and is third in assists among all players. He’s also doing it with an average ice-time of 23:24, which is less than his fellow Norris contenders.

To check out his competition, head to the link. [Sportsnet]

It was a busy, busy night in the Central.

The Hawks’ win—their eighth straight—puts them just two points back of the Stars for first place in the division.

After retiring from the NHL, Joe Juneau set his sights on a new goal: establishing a youth hockey program in Nunavik. [Boston Globe]

Elliotte Friedman shares his newest 30 Thoughts, which should give you plenty to think on. [Sportsnet]

Seth Jones is settling into life in Columbus and getting to know head coach John Tortorella. [Puck Daddy]

Former Stars defenseman Kevin Connauton was placed on waivers by the Blue Jackets.

The Blackhawks ensured Joel Quenneville will stay behind the Blackhawks’ bench by signing him to a three-year contract extension that’s reportedly worth $18 million. [The Score]

Amanda Kessel, whose concussion problems have kept her off the ice, has resumed skating with the University of Minnesota. [Grand Forks Herald]

Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic will miss 2-3 weeks with a lower-body injury. [The Hockey News]

It’s a parity party in the NHL, which means (almost) any team could receive an invitation to the postseason. [Toronto Star]

And finally, and you have an important question to answer. (And a hashtag to check: #StarsCasinoNight)

Actually, just kidding—the answer wasn’t Seguin or Ruff. It was secret option C.

Talking Points