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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Stars Hockey Is Back!

After what’s felt like an eternity, the Stars will take the ice once again against the Buffalo Sabres tonight. Plus, will Artemi Panarin get traded, the Calder Trophy race, and more.

If you told me the Dallas Stars hadn’t played a game in 2019, I’d probably believe you. I mean, I know it’s only been a week or so, but it feels like a lifetime since I last watched a Stars hockey game.

Thankfully, the time for despair is over. The Stars will resume their season tonight against the Buffalo Sabres at home. And one of the biggest stories of the evening will be the homecoming of Jamie Oleksiak:

“I wasn’t going to be surprised because we had some guys coming back in Pittsburgh, and when I heard it was Dallas it threw me off guard,” Oleksiak said. “A million emotions run through my head. I am glad to be here now. It’s always a little bit easier when you know guys in the room. Obviously, a new coaching staff but I think it’s been a pretty good transition so far.”

Oleksiak spent a little more than a year with the Pittsburgh Penguins before being traded back to Dallas. And the Stars’ former 1st rounder hopes to bring to the table more than a fancy new contract:

“Got a lot more experience under my belt, a little more comfortable in certain situations, and a little more confidence in my game and whatnot,” Oleksiak said. “I am just going to keep trying to build off that. I’ve kind of learned to not worry about the little things and look at the bigger picture. No matter what happens on the ice -- good or bad -- I stick to my game and help the team get wins.”

You can read more from Mark Stepneski here.

Other Stars News

Since No. 5 is currently taken by Connor Carrick, Oleksiak will be wearing No. 2 for his second stint in Dallas. Here’s how he’ll factor into the lineup:

And here’s the first look at him back in a Stars (practice) uniform:

Some other, minor roster updates:

Around the League

Artemi Panarin is no longer willing to discuss an extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets mid-season. Is it time for the two to part ways?

For what it’s worth, Columbus management seems ready to move on if necessary, though what “necessary” means is anyone’s guess. [NBC Sports]

I know being a borderline playoff team sucks, but it’s kind of nice knowing the Stars aren’t in prime “Lose for Hughes” territory:

Most people assume Elias Pettersson will win the Calder Trophy, but at least Miro Heiskanen is getting some attention:

Here’s a more in-depth look at perhaps the biggest dark horse: Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart. [The Hockey News]

Bad(?) news for the Nashville Predators, who will be without Austin Watson for the forseeable future:

Finally...

The new player tracking data will be cool, yet at the same time disappointing due to a lack of access for fans:

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