Comments / New

Dallas Stars Daily Links: How Will Losing Vernon Fiddler and Alex Goligoski Affect Stars?

Posted on by Melissa Flandreau

In his most recent Stars chat, Mike Heika covered everything from summer moves in the Central Division to how the Stars might fill holes left by the departures of Alex Goligoski and Vernon Fiddler.

Question: What do you think the penalty kill looks like next season? They gotta replace guys like Vernon Fiddler.

Heika: … The guess is players such as Dan Hamhuis, Esa Lindell and Patrik Nemeth will step up on defense, and forwards such as Radek Faksa and maybe even Jason Dickinson or Devin Shore will be asked to do more. I also think the Stars should use their top offensive forwards more. Tyler Seguin has the speed and quickness to be a good penalty killer, and you could even use Patrick Sharp more.

Heika also tackled the question of which Stars player is next on the list to have their number retired.

Question: Who is the next Dallas Star to have their number retired?

Heika: I think they have to be close on Jere Lehtinen. He was an excellent player for a long time. He won three Selke trophies as best defensive player. He has maintained a relationship with the organization.

They are talking about creating a division for “honored numbers,” and leave “retired” for only the superstars, but either way I would think Lehtinen is next to have a “number” ceremony.

There’s more from Heika at the link. [SportsDayDFW]

—

Don’t forget, you have plans for 2 p.m. today.

Over at Today’s Slapshot, a look at the Stars’ summer so far. [Today’s Slapshot]

Patrick Eaves shares his memories of youth hockey and USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.

Forward Sean Monahan signed a 7-year, $44.625 million contract with the Flames. [Calgary Sun]

#VeseyWatch has finally (finally) come to a close—the Hobey Baker winner signed a two-year, entry-level deal with the Rangers. [Blueshirt Banter]

Steve Ott has the chance to fulfill all of his eighth-grade dreams this season in Detroit.

Team North America has a chance to surprise at the upcoming World Cup of Hockey. [The Hockey News]

Get to know the people running the show for the NHL’s Las Vegas squad. [Sportsnet]

Brad Richards was one of many NHLers who tweeted their emotional response to the Tragically Hip’s final show.

NHL.com counts down the league’s top-10 goaltenders. [NHL]

Barry Trotz talks Alex Ovechkin, P.K. Subban, and more. Part I is here, and Part II is at the link. [Puck Daddy]

Relive the best hockey gimmicks of the ’90s. [The Hockey News]

And finally, we’re even closer to Game 1 now. Make sure you’ve got your tickets.

Talking Points