Mike Heika held his regularly scheduled Stars chat yesterday, and it’s no surprise that the topic of goaltending came up. Here’s what Heika had to say on the subject.
Question: You think it’s smart to stick with the same two goalies? Or is Jim Nill just saying what’s politically correct?
Heika: I think he believes it’s smart to use both goalies during the regular season and keep his eyes open for a good deal.
If expansion occurs next summer, the goalie market will be dynamic before next March. Nill knows that he has to make just one deal, but that it has to be the right one.
I think he will be looking for the perfect deal to fix his goaltending.
Along with identifying potential offseason targets, Heika also addressed the recent signing of Landon Bow.
Question: Hi Mike, what do you know about this goalie prospect Landon Bow? Is this a guy that will compete for a spot in the AHL in a year or so?
Heika: Its’ a great question. On the surface, a 20-year-old free agent jumping in out of major junior seems destined for the ECHL. But I think Bow has a chance to battle Desrosiers and Lagace for the top spot in the AHL. He is on a very nice – albeit brief – run.
See the other answers Heika has for you at the link. [SportsDayDFW]
—
Assistant general manager Les Jackson described Devin Shore as being “all-in” and following a Radek Faksa-like path to NHL success. [Stars]
For AHLers like Justin Dowling, the possibility of an expansion team means the possibility of playing in the NHL. [Today’s Slapshot]
The Penguins defeated the Sharks 3-1 last night to take a 3-1 series lead. [Pensburgh]
Here’s the late third-period goal from Eric Fehr that pushed the game out of reach for San Jose.
All is Fehr in love and #StanleyCup Final hockey. pic.twitter.com/xo9H2g8fNf
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 7, 2016
Get to know Joe Thornton before he became Jumbo Joe.
A 16-year old Joe Thornton from junior hockey, before the beard #SJSvsPIT Story & pics: https://t.co/ilWupwfmcz pic.twitter.com/OTTwijtAAv
— Sal J. Barry (@PuckJunk) June 6, 2016
There’s no bad blood between Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine as they vie for the top spot in the NHL Draft. [TSN]
Mighty Ducks fans will be pleased to know that a “game-worn” Adam Banks jersey is going up for auction. Quack. Quack. Quack. Quack. [The Hockey News]
The next step toward Las Vegas landing an expansion team could happen today. [Las Vegas Review Journal]
Metallica stopped by the Shark Tank last night to get things going.
Rock on, @Metallica. What an anthem. #StanleyCuphttps://t.co/ooYJ6EcorO
— #StanleyCup Final (@NHL) June 7, 2016
John Scott, along with players like Ben Scrivens and Christian Hanson, is planning to play five games in Australia to help raise money for the Australian Brain Institute. [Toronto Star]
New Panthers assistant GMs Steve Werier and Eric Joyce share their thoughts on analytics and what to expect next season. [Today’s Slapshot]
Matthew Tkachuk, son of Keith Tkachuk, feels that his “second to none” competitiveness will help him make a successful transition to the NHL. [Puck Daddy]
After spending last season with the Predators‘ AHL affiliate, Max Reinhart has signed a deal with the DEL’s Kolner Haie. [THN]
And finally, Jaromir Jagr is hard at work this offseason.