It only seems quiet in Dallas Stars Land right now. Jim Nill is as busy as ever – and those three missing picks from the 2019 NHL Draft are helping to keep him occupied.
Mike Heika talked with the Stars’ GM about his off-season preparations – which include all the draft preparations he’d put in if he still had his second, third and seventh-rounders:
“What you’re trying to do is work within the big picture, but also understand that things are going to change,” Nill said. “The summertime is when you make a lot of big decisions, and you try to come up with the structure of what you want your team to be. But you know that by the end of next season, a lot can change, and you have to be ready for that, too.”…
“We are always interested in acquiring extra picks, so you never know what can happen, and you want to be prepared,” Nill said. “It’s just a matter of go do your job and get all the information you can, and then we’ll see what happens.”
Can signings from outside the organization make up for the lack of draft options?
“I think you are always looking to add talent every way you can, and by signing players like this, I think you add talent that is close to ready for the NHL,” Nill said. “We saw that last season with [Joel] L’Esperance, and we hope to see it again this season.”
And while it doesn’t completely make up for the loss of draft picks, it makes those decisions more palatable.
”You don’t want to wake up one day and find the cupboard is bare,” Nill said.
There’s more at Mike’s place. [Dallas Stars]
Stars Stuff
The Stars are running a pick-your-own poll for #WallpaperWednesday this summer. Who’s your first pick?
We’re going to have some fun with #WallpaperWednesday this summer. We’ll list three players every other Tuesday, and you choose which player you want to update your phone with on Wednesday.
Every other week we’ll add a new player to the remaining two to choose from! #GoStars
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) June 4, 2019
Around The League(s)
A broken jaw could keep Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara out for the rest of the Stanley Cup Final.
Fauria: Source says Zdeno Chara has broken jaw, likely done for series https://t.co/ZBwQQJuooS pic.twitter.com/dMeVbq7Zur
— WEEI (@WEEI) June 4, 2019
For some teams, the NHL Draft Combine never ends, but it’s not quite as dystopian as it sounds.
The draft combine is over. But did your team keep on testing anyway? https://t.co/e8hlNCpUfa
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) June 5, 2019
Connor McDavid is tired of missing the playoffs and thinks Ken Holland and Dave Tippett can change that.
“I’m excited – stability is what we’re looking for…” #Oilers captain Connor McDavid talks to Gino Reda about the team’s new hires in the front office and behind the bench this spring https://t.co/opdEEfD1Mv #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/rB3ZtX1vGh
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) June 4, 2019
Ken Daneyko says Kevin Hayes is going to get “a boatload of money” in his next contract. Will it be from the Philadelphia Flyers?
“Kevin Hayes has put himself in position to hear every team out.” @KenDaneykoMSG talks about the pending UFA. #NHLNow pic.twitter.com/Q3AasGiwSw
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) June 5, 2019
Pavel Datsyuk was not likely to return to the Detroit Red Wings this season, and it’s now a lock that he’ll stay in the KHL, playing for his hometown team.
Pavel Datsyuk @Datsyuk13 signed a one-year deal with his hometown team Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg @IHCAvtomobilist
— KHL (@khl_eng) June 5, 2019
Mississauga Steelheads netminder Jacob Ingham has received a unique honor, named for Humboldt Broncos athletic therapist Dayna Brons.
OHL goalie, Jacob Ingham, first recipient of award in honour of Humboldt crash victim Dayna Bronshttps://t.co/f0UPq2htGA
— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) June 4, 2019
Finally
Taylor Fedun turned 31 yesterday. Happy belated birthday!
Happy birthday, Taylor! 🎊 🎉 #GoStars pic.twitter.com/eRCoHY71RZ
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) June 4, 2019