I think the Ultra Line should get a tenth of a point for every pass that makes you go, “uh, no, wait, what…oh! OH! Aww…sigh” By this measure, Dallas would have won in regulation last night by a score of 5.3 to 3.
—-
In the midst of Dallas fans’ gratitude for Jim Nill’s work in Dallas so far, sometimes lost has been the fact that he is, in fact, human. And an NHL general manager. News flash: human general managers make mistakes sometimes.
And while Sergei Gonchar would practically be a sight for sore eyes in Dallas at this point, last season saw our Russian defenseman being used as Exhibit A of Nill’s humanity and corresponding propensity for the occasional error in judgment.
Here’s Exhibit B, from Nicholas Cotsonika:
“I was close to making some moves last year,” Nill told Yahoo Sports recently, “and it was a good thing I didn’t.”
Trades?
“Yeah. Trades.”
What happened?
“Stayed patient,” Nill said. “Rode it out. There’s a time for everything. I’m glad I was patient with it.”
Nill wouldn’t reveal what he almost did, of course. He just laughed. But he said he might not have been so patient in the past, and he did share this: After the Stars snapped their five-year playoff drought and came oh-so-close to forcing Game 7 in their first-round series with the Anaheim Ducks, he sat with owner Tom Gaglardi and president Jim Lites. They talked hockey, as they often do, and said to themselves, “Oh, boy. Good thing we didn’t do that one.” [Yahoo]
There’s tons more well worth reading in the rest of the story, including quotes from Ruff, Holland and Nill on the last year and change in Dallas. Nill’s character is a recurring theme, but that’s no surprise at this point.
Still, you have to wonder what the trade would have been. Honka for Vanek? Nemeth for Daniel Briere? Ralph Strangis for Jack Edwards? The mind recoils…
* * * * *
Wednesday Links are here. Well, there, actually. *points down at Links*
If you want to read more from last night, here’s a recap. [Stars]
Here’s a familiar face talking about another familiar face: Ali Lucia with a piece about Mike Modano. Good to see she’s doing well. [CBS Minnesota]
Hey, everybody. How would you like to listen to Dallas Stars amateur scout Dennis Holland talk about Jason Dickinson, Ludwig Bystrom, and Cole Ully? Great! Just follow this internet hyperlink over on the right (look for the highlighted text). [HockeyProspect.com]
Daryl Reaugh blogged with a vengeance about Long Island and the Captain. [Razor with an Edge]
Just how well did the Stars pass against New Jersey? Check out these charts from our friends at the blog of the Devils. [In Lou We Trust]
Guess what three Stars players are valuable players in fantasy hockey this year? You guessed it. [NHL.com]
Josh Bogorad talks about offense in his latest (and fabulous) On the Radar piece. [Stars]
John Scott was suspended for two games after coming over the boards to fight Tim Jackman in the Sharks–Ducks brouhaha. And he said that it shows he’s learned his lesson. [Puck Daddy]
Sergei Bobrovsky has been placed in IR with a fractured finger. Bummer for the [Blue Jackets.com]
Sad news about Mr. Hockey: Gordie Howe suffered a stroke on Sunday. [Detroit News]
Sean McIndoe chronicled some of the dirtiest hits that never received suspensions. [Grantland]
Tom Gaglardi may have to pay a fine for infringing on a nearby fish habitat while renovating his home in British Columbia. [CBC]
Elliotte Friedman talks about lots of teams that aren’t the Stars in his weekly 30 Thoughts. Good stuff, though. [SportsNet]
I accidentally stumbled upon this website (yes, accidentally) and I hate myself for it. Now you get to do the same! [talk-sports.net]
And finally, from the Grantland article linked above, the Mother of All Elbows, by Pavol Pavel Bure: