Welcome to the offseason, everyone. The Stars cleaned out their lockers yesterday, which meant exit interviews with the players, an injury update, and a chance to see how general manager Jim Nill feels about his team.
Here’s Nill on his “biggest takeaway” from this season.
… We came in, didn’t make the playoffs the year before, we talked to the players about how we had to make so many changes, they bought into those changes. We win our division, we win our conference. We go through a lot of adversity in March with injuries. Overall, the message here is it’s been a great season, we got to get better and we’re going to get better, but the future’s very bright for the Dallas Stars.”
Nill said he’ll sit down with each player before making any decisions this summer, but offered this positive take on what’s to come for the team.
We got to the second round. That’s going to make us better because of it. I think we’re halfway to where we want to be. We’re a better team than we were before. We have young kids coming in, we’re getting bigger, we’re getting stronger, we’re getting faster, so our expectations are growing.”
You can see what else Nill had to say at the link. [SportsDayDFW]
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Jamie Benn says staying in Dallas is the plan.
“This is where I want to play, this is where I want to be,” Benn said. “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”
There’s more from the Captain on a potential contract extension at the link. [SportsDayDFW]
If you missed yesterday’s injury roundup, here’s how things looked.
Seguin had a calf injury. Sharp separated shoulder. Roussel abdomen strain.
— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) May 13, 2016
Yesterday also made it clear that Radek Faksa isn’t ready to hang up his skates for the summer.
Radek Faksa appears to be the only Stars player who will head over to World Championships.
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) May 13, 2016
Tyler Seguin chatted with the Ticket about his injury and what’s next for the Stars. [BaD Radio]
Losing to the Blues had a few extra consequences for the Dallas Zoo.
For our ❤️ of @DallasStars, the payoff is complete, @stlzoo! VP Sean Greene learned just how hard keepers work. pic.twitter.com/PBxpC7MGUl
— Dallas Zoo (@DallasZoo) May 13, 2016
The Lightning beat the Penguins 3-1 last night, moving one win closer to the Stanley Cup Finals. [Pensburgh]
Ben Bishop was stretchered off the ice during the Bolts’ victory.
Cooper said Bishop was checked by doctors and had x-rays and “everything came back negative, so we’re hoping for the best.”
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 14, 2016
Ryan Callahan was also assessed a boarding penalty for a hit on Kris Letang. [Puck Daddy]
Tampa Bay isn’t ruling out a Steven Stamkos return this postseason. [Sportsnet]
Get to know Penguins rookie goaltender Matt Murray. [ESPN]
The Kings signed head coach Darryl Sutter to a multiyear contract extension.
He’s back. https://t.co/qdUolbZee7 pic.twitter.com/Vn8ZUdCNLY
— #LAKings (@LAKings) May 13, 2016
Here’s what you can expect from a Sharks vs. Blues Western Conference Final. [Sports Illustrated]
In honor of his 27th birthday yesterday, P.K. Subban shared this adorable photo with the world.
Clearly I peaked too early …. pic.twitter.com/RkPZBCYyLb
— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) May 13, 2016
Is Auston Matthews headed to the Maple Leafs? TSN’s Craig Button certainly thinks so. [TSN]
Two-time Stanley Cup champ Kevin Stevens was charged in federal court with conspiring to sell oxycodone. [Boston Globe]
And finally, Tyler Seguin starts his offseason with these words to fans.