Stars general manager Jim Nill hasn’t been shy in sharing how optimistic he is about the offseason additions of Patrick Sharp, Johnny Oduya, and Antti Niemi. While talking with the Dallas Morning News’ Rick Gosselin, he elaborated on why he thinks having the veterans around will impact the team—both now, and in the future.
“Winners attract winners,” Nill said. “It becomes contagious. We have a lot of good young kids. They don’t know how [to win] yet. They become sponges. They’ll be exposed to it.”
That’s one of the big reasons the Stars decided to conduct their training camp in Cedar Park this fall.
“You could have training camp here, but we want the guys going out after practice, having a nice supper [together],” Nill said. “You want a Patrick Sharp talking to a [Curtis] McKenzie and Dickinson. Take them out, talk hockey, talk about their families … that’s what we want. We want them to get to know each other.”
Nill feels that Oduya and Sharp’s experiences and attitude can be influential throughout the season, acting as a sort of “peer pressure” to help other players step up their game.
“Oduya will tell Klinger [defenseman John Klingberg], [Patrik] Nemeth, [Jyrki] Jokipakka and [Jamie] Oleksiak, ‘We’re not done practicing yet. Let’s stay out and work on our shots,'” Nill said. “Sharp is going to grab McKenzie or [Antoine] Roussel and say, ‘Let’s go work on this.’ That’s so important. I can go talk to them all I want. Lindy [coach Ruff] can go talk to them all he wants. But when they hear it internally from the players — the peer pressure — that’s the best voice.
For more from Nill, head over to the Dallas Morning News. [DMN]
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The NHL released its complete preseason schedule. We’re almost there, y’all. [NHL]
Tyler Seguin is optimistic about the upcoming season and eager for it to get underway. [Puck Daddy]
The Stars are making the rounds on lists of teams likely to surprise in 2015-16. [The Hockey Writers + The Score]
Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel may be stealing most of the headlines, but there are plenty of other young players ready to make their way into the NHL—and onto your fantasy teams. Julius Honka made Yahoo Sports’ list of guys who will make an impact “sooner or later.”
Julius Honka, Dallas Stars – Stash this smaller defender away in fantasy leagues if you’re looking for a near-NHL ready puck moving defenseman capable of chipping in 30+ points in his prime. Honka owns some intriguing offensive upside and with Dallas looking for help on their blue line, he stands a good chance to debut his skills as soon as 2015-16.
You can check out the rest right this way. [Puck Daddy]
On the topic of players who have the potential to be game-changers, Stephen Johns remains a player to watch in 2015-16. [Texas Stars Hockey]
Former Dallas Stars defenseman Stephane Robidas skated for the first time since having shoulder surgery. [Toronto Sun]
Both Las Vegas and Quebec have advanced to the third stage of the expansion process. [ESPN]
You can cross Christian Ehrhoff off the list of remaining free agents.
Christian Ehrhoff has reportedly found a new home with the LA Kings for 1 year at $1.5M. http://t.co/jySFPAITfD pic.twitter.com/0KHroouSrt
— theScore (@theScore) August 23, 2015
Derek Boogaard’s family is attempting to delay a dismissal of their wrongful death suit in order to introduce new evidence. [Sports Illustrated]
The Hockey News created an interactive chart that shows each team’s era-adjusted goal differential throughout history. [The Hockey News]
Also on THN, the 20 best free agents set to hit the market in 2016, including none other than Alex Goligoski. [THN]
Check out highlights from last week’s Biosteel Camp, featuring Tyler Seguin.
Please never change, Ovi. [Russian Machine Never Breaks]
And finally, Eddie Lack has apparently gotten a taco tattoo. It seems important that everybody knows this.
I don’t wanna Taco bout it!! pic.twitter.com/SlYD8EiTQu
— Eddie Lack (@eddielack) August 23, 2015