ICYMI, Jamie Benn is officially staying home from the World Cup of Hockey to complete his recovery from core muscle surgery. Mike Heika of The Dallas Morning News talked with The Captain about the decision, and Jamie confirmed that everything else being equal, he’d rather have a silver cup than a gold medal:
“Giving everything I have to this organization is my main job, and I want to be ready to go when the season starts,” Benn said. “I’m 100 percent committed to the Stars. That’s why we made the decision.”
…
“We’ve put a lot of work in to get to this level and we want to move forward,” said Benn, who has played in just 19 playoff games in his seven seasons with the Stars. “You just want to do everything you can to make sure you play your best.”
There’s much more at Heika’s place. [SportsDayDFW]
The Stars’ announcement also made note of the players who have already started skating in Frisco (including Jason Spezza, Kari Lehtonen, Antoine Roussel, Jordie Benn and Denis Gurianov).
“There is no bigger advocate of Hockey Canada than Jamie Benn.” -GM Jim Nill
📰: https://t.co/ygK7AzWZS4 pic.twitter.com/jcjh1Q6BlI
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) August 23, 2016
As you know from Erin’s post, the San Jose Sharks’ Logan Couture will now occupy the Jamie-shaped space on Team Canada’s left wing, and he’s already warming up.
Awesome Logan Couture quote about Sidney Crosby’s faceoff cheating: “He’s on my (World Cup) team now, so he can do it as much as he wants.”
— Ryan Pyette (@RyanatLFPress) August 23, 2016
Meanwhile, JaBenn and BFF Tyler Seguin have made another important roster: EA Sports’ 25 highest-rated players in NHL 17.
Dallas Stars Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin ranked among NHL 17’s top 25 players. Benn nearly nabs top spot. #NHL17Ratings https://t.co/jFrG86a9z3
— SportsDayDFW (@SportsDayDFW) August 24, 2016
Have the Stars really signed veteran winger Jiri Hudler to a one-year, $2 million contract? By the time you read this, you may already know for sure.
REPORT: Jiri Hudler has inked a one-year, $2m deal with the #Stars https://t.co/VPE73xtWzE
— Today’s Slapshot (@TodaysSlapshot) August 24, 2016
Sports Illustrated has ranked the NHL’s 30 starting goalies, and you may find some of the placements surprising, or shocking but not surprising. [SI]
The Mansfield City Council has signed off on a 30-year lease and operating agreement for a new StarCenter at Highway 287 and East Broad Street. Now they just need to find a way to pay for it. [FOX 4 News]
The Ottawa Senators and 22-year-old defender Cody Ceci have agreed to terms to the tune of two years and $5.6 million.
Ottawa’s own @Cecer_83 signs 2-year deal with @Senators: https://t.co/Gfyf11ZugA #ottnews #Sens pic.twitter.com/nieu97xygF
— CBC Ottawa (@CBCOttawa) August 23, 2016
And Taylor Hall says his trade from the Edmonton Oilers to the New Jersey Devils has been like a bad breakup. [Sportsnet]
Also in Sportsnet: Alexander Radulov wants to prove the third time’s a charm as he prepares to return to the NHL, again. [Sportsnet]
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild have made it permanent: Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy” will now be their full-time goal song.
From earlier: The Wild make Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy” their new goal song – https://t.co/WBcHfbaBYh @YahooSports pic.twitter.com/HsIDqUtZPN
— Sean Leahy (@Sean_Leahy) August 23, 2016
And speaking of the Wild, Minnesota C Mikko Koivu will also captain Esa Lindell and the rest of Team Finland in the World Cup of Hockey. [ESPN]
This is how you know Mitch Marner is a future star: His playoffs-worn jersey (or is it?) is already the object of litigation.
The London Knights are being sued for fraud over a Mitch Marner jersey https://t.co/MpYmhofT1D pic.twitter.com/aBzFwOmz3w
— London Free Press (@LFPress) August 24, 2016
And Dylan Strome is out to prove he can make the Arizona Coyotes’ starting lineup out of training camp this year. [The Hockey News]
Gordie Howe’s home province will also be his final resting place, and his marker will look very familiar indeed.
Gordie Howe’s ashes to be placed in statue honouring ‘Mr. Hockey’ in Saskatoon: By CKOM News A statue honouring Mr.… https://t.co/yVycpvzEz7
— Saskatoon Buzz (@saskatoonbuzz) August 18, 2016
It appears the Colorado Avalanche are taking long looks at the Sharks’ Bob Boughner and the Blackhawks’ Kevin Dineen to fill their vacancy at head coach. [Denver Post]
Finally: If you can’t wait to see Ty-Lord back on the ice, you can watch him (and Connor McDavid, Michael Del Zotto, Taylor Hall, Malcolm Subban and more) in this new video from BioSteel Camp. Enjoy.