Comments / New

Dallas Stars Daily Links: Jamie Benn, Ales Hemsky on Track for Season Opener

Posted on by Melissa Flandreau

Fear not, Stars fans. Despite undergoing hip surgery during the offseason, both Ales Hemsky and Jamie Benn are recovering on schedule and should be ready to roll by the time Oct. 8th comes around.

“I felt great,” Benn said. “We made a plan at the start of the summer, and I’ve been following that plan, and we’re where we want to be right now. My legs feel pretty good; I don’t get too sore after these skates, and I’ve done four pretty good days in a row.”

And, as it turns out, there’s a silver lining to the fact that it’s been a hip new trend for Dallas players to suffer hip injuries.

The Stars believe Benn and Hemsky are actually ahead of the pace of Klingberg and Nichushkin because the team better understands the recovery.

“Me and Jamie pretty much spent the summer so we would know how to react,” Hemsky said. “We did everything we could to get ready for the season.”

The article also includes this quote from coach Lindy Ruff about Benn’s offseason, which should having opponents quaking in their skates.

“I’m interested to see him,” Ruff said, noting Benn has been a workout demon in Frisco. “From a training standpoint, he’s probably in the best shape of his life. I think the part of being around and rehabbing and training all summer has been good for him.”

There’s more on Hemsky and Benn right this way. (And honestly, if you don’t want to read the rest of the links in this post, that’s fine. Just go look at this article’s picture and be happy.) [DMN]

—

The Stars dropped their first preseason contest last night, losing to Florida 3-2. No one needs to panic, though, since this is obviously going to be the only loss of 2015-16.

If you want to relive the action, check out Derek’s recap and the game summary.

In goal against the Panthers was Jack Campbell, who talked about rising to the occasion this year and how he prepared during the offseason, saying:

“I realize to be one of the best goalies in the game you have to have the personality of being a calmer guy,” Campbell said.

You can read the rest at the link. [DMN]

If you don’t feel like reading about Campbell, you can always watch his post-game interview.

One other point of note from last night:

In light of recent happenings with Slava Voynov, Jarret Stoll, and Mike Richards, the Los Angeles Kings have created a “players’ assistance director.” To fill the role, they brought in Brantt Myhres, who received a lifetime ban from the NHL after dealing with substance abuse and faking drug tests. Myhres, now sober, hopes to work with struggling players on the team. [TSN]

If you haven’t drafted your fantasy hockey team yet and are on the lookout for a few sleeper picks, here are a few potential breakout candidates. [TSN]

Erik Johnson will be hanging around the Mile High City for a while longer.

Sean McIndoe brings us the first installment on each team’s Stanley Cup odds. Part 1 features No. 30 to 21, AKA the ones who probably aren’t going to be hoisting a trophy anytime soon. (Don’t worry: The Stars are not included.) [Grantland]

Members of the Aquilini family, who own the Vancouver Canucks, are working to raise awareness and increase support for those diagnosed with autism. [Globe and Mail]

The Leafs are the latest team (along with the Sabres and the Flyers) to take advantage of Catapult Sports tracking technology. [Sportsnet]

The WHL announced its top 125 players yesterday, and a few familiar faces made the cut.

Newly appointed Team USA head coach John Tortorella is not a big fan of “media-driven analytics.” [Sportsnet]

And speaking of dear old Torts, during a conference call about his new job, he was beset by prank callers. [Puck Daddy]

Michigan State tried to have some fun by turning the blue line into the green line, but the NCAA put its foot down. [CBS Sports]

And finally, the Milwaukee Admirals are doing something a little different with their uniforms in November.

Talking Points