There was plenty of news coming our way yesterday, with the Dallas Stars announcing their opening-night roster and a new alternate captain. That left both Mattias Janmark and Alex Goligoski in good moods, and Mark Stepneski has more of their thoughts over at the Inside Edge.
Janmark, for his part, said his first reaction to the news was surprise.
“At that specific point you are happy, and a few months ago you would be shocked,” Janmark said. “The last month has been part of a process. Every week you felt closer and closer, and you are trying so hard to make the team, you don’t think about how big it is. If you asked me a month ago, I would be more shocked than yesterday. It was a big day, but I don’t think it has sunk in yet. I am sure it will.”
Lindy Ruff also commented on Janmark’s place on the team and how he intends to use the Swedish forward.
The 22-year-old Swede is versatile enough to play up or down in the lineup. Ruff said he is still trying to sort out where Janmark will start the season.
“He’s a natural centerman, so we may start him off in his position. That’s where he feels most comfortable. But we’ll leave that for Thursday night,” Ruff said.
Meanwhile, Goligoski shared his thoughts on being named an alternate captain.
“It’s an honor from the coaching staff, management and the guys in the room. I don’t take it lightly,” Goligoski said. “Obviously, there is no shortage of leaders in this room, the guys coming in and even with the young guys there are a lot of natural leaders in here. It’s an honor and I look forward to wearing it.”
There’s more from Janmark and Goose, as well as practice notes, at the link. [Stars]
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One more sleep until the Stars are back! And tonight, you can watch actual, real-life regular-season hockey. Yay!
Go ahead and get pumped—if, of course, you’re a fan of one of the 10 teams the NHL apparently has.
A new intro for a new season! Check out the introduction that will play at the start of every #NHLTonight https://t.co/bEdCEUMjIe
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) October 5, 2015
Patrick Sharp is just one of many players in new places that you should keep an eye out for this season. [NHL.com]
Obviously everyone already read the only predictions they really needed about the season, but just in case you’re looking for more conjecture, Sportsnet projected how the Western Conference cards will fall using analytics. [Sportsnet]
Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn both made appearances on Sports Illustrated’s preseason All-NHL Team. (I think that’s sort of like Whose Line Is It Anyway? Everything’s made up and the points don’t matter.) [SI]
Also at SI, more predictions! A few staffers predicted that the Stars will be a playoff team, and one thinks that John Klingberg could score 20 goals. [SI]
Hall of Fame goaltender Ken Dryden shares his thoughts on why having overtime in the NHL has changed the game for the better. [Wall Street Journal]
Poor Pascal Dupuis just can’t catch a break.
Penguins say Dupuis will miss 4-5 weeks because of undiclosed injury not related to previous health problems.
— Dave Molinari (@MolinariPG) October 6, 2015
Who’s taking home the Hart Trophy? The Ross? The Calder? A look at the odds for each award. [Grantland]
Several players react after the report that more NHLers are using cocaine. [TSN]
Death and taxes, y’all. [Forbes]
If you’re looking for a long read, look no further than this take on the rivalry between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. There are plenty of highlights from the past 10 years. [NHL.com]
Congrats to Marty!
JUST ANNOUNCED: The #NJDevils will retire @MartinBrodeur‘s number 30 on Feb. 9, 2016! #MB30 pic.twitter.com/1HYcLbU57B
— New Jersey Devils (@NHLDevils) October 6, 2015
Former NHL defenseman Drake Berehowsky hopes his StatsTrack program can change hockey analytics and how players are evaluated. [The Hockey Writers]
Be sure to brush up on the ABCs of hockey before the season officially starts. [ESPN]
A player whose name shall not be mentioned by me was arrested on counts of criminal mischief and possession of a controlled substance. [TSN]
And finally, goalies are strange, strange creatures. [Puck Daddy]