It’s a good time to be John Klingberg. The NHL is putting more and more value on smaller, puckmoving defensemen, and Klingberg fits the new blueliner prototype to a T.
Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Fuchs examined Klingberg’s place in the league and the “revolution” that’s taking place on D.
Developing a shrewd hockey sense has made Klingberg one of the game’s rising stars. The still small 22-year-old does not look like the prototypical defenseman. He doesn’t lay out crushing hits like classic back line bruisers such as Scott Stevens, doesn’t dole out nasty punishment with elbows and sticks the way Chris Pronger used to and doesn’t blast pucks through the net like Shea Weber does.
Yet Klingberg has plenty going for him, especially after scoring 40 points in 65 games as a rookie last season.
Stars GM Jim Nill was quick to explain exactly why what Klingberg has “going for him” is so important.
“Today’s game is all about getting the puck out of your zone as quick as you can,” says Jim Nill, the general manager of the Stars. “The quicker you can make a pass out of your zone, the less time you’re going to spend defending.”
The article also touches on other players who fit the new defensive mold, including the Senators‘ Erik Karlsson.
Klingberg’s play draws natural comparisons to Karlsson. They are both from Sweden, both of similar stature and both play a similar game. Klingberg may be on the path towards joining Karlsson in the elite stratosphere of defensemen, but he insists that he’s setting his sights on just being himself.
“You don’t want to try to be like him,” Klingberg said. “But he’s a success, so I can try to do some of that stuff. But I try to play my own game.”
For more on Klingberg and his fellow offensive defensemen, head on over to SI.com. [SI]
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As Kathleen mentioned on Monday, Daily Links are now on a MWF schedule. Hopefully y’all found some good reads to tide you over yesterday morning.
Despite his busy summer schedule of photo shoots, ping-pong, and movie cameos, Tyler Seguin took the time to give an update on his knee and explain why he’s been spending his summer with celebs. [DMN]
Meanwhile, Jack Campbell is feeling relaxed and ready to earn the starting job in net for the Texas Stars. [Stars]
On Sept. 12, the Dallas Stars Alumni Association will host a charity exhibition game against the Israeli National Team. You can expect former Stars like Marty Turco and Brent Severyn to be on the ice. [Stars]
When classifying teams as winners and losers of the newly announced national broadcast schedule, the Stars, unfortunately, fall into the latter category.
LOSER: Dallas Stars
Add Patrick Sharp to a mix that includes Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn and Jason Spezza. Subtract a game: Dallas has only three appearances on NBCSN and none on NBC, after four total last season. Doesn’t this team have star power? Do these people even read the ESPN Body Issue? (Well, does anyone really read it?)
At least the team has it better off than Connor McDavid, who’ll make just one nationally televised appearance (alongside Jack Eichel, no less). [Puck Daddy]
There may only be three national games to remember, but go ahead and grab your calendars and mark down the dates.
Stars nationally televised games: Tue., Oct. 20 @ PHI, 6:30pm CT, NBCSN Tue., Feb. 9 @ MIN, 7pm CT, NBCSN Tue., Feb. 16 @ STL, 7pm CT, NBCSN
— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) July 27, 2015
And while your calendar is out, here’s the schedule for when you can catch a replay of “On Headset.”
2nd:Did you miss “On Headset” on @FOXSportsSW? Check out the rebroadcast schedule below It will be online next month pic.twitter.com/IvfhREcG95
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 27, 2015
Ever since this photo started making the rounds on Twitter, it’s been clear that Tyler Seguin is taking his talents to the silver screen. Sportsnet has all the details on his cameo in the Goon sequel. [Sportsnet]
The newest episode of Stars Sunday is now online, if you’re looking for a way to get your hockey fix. [Stars]
Good news: The Stars get an A for their offseason effort. [CBS Sports]
Gary Bettman shares his thoughts on which conference a Quebec team would end up in and why the shootout is sticking around for good. [Boston Globe]
The Penguins kept busy yesterday, first signing Eric Fehr to a three-year deal and then wheeling and dealing with Vancouver.
#Pens acquire Nick Bonino, Adam Clendening & a 2nd round pick in ’16 for Brandon Sutter and a 3rd round pick in ’16. http://t.co/cK0vYjehtO
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 28, 2015
The New York Rangers also got to work and signed Derek Stepan to a six-year deal. [Rangers]
And speaking of all of those freshly inked contracts, why don’t teams release salary info when they announce a deal? Sean McIndoe investigates. [Grantland]
Russ Brandon has taken over for Ted Black as the Sabres‘ president. [The Score]
Canadian-born KHL goalie Mark Dekanich recently took to Twitter to say that he hasn’t received his salary from Medvescak Zagreb. [Hockey VIPs]
Smashfest taught us many things, like the fact that Patrick Eaves is a master at ping-pong and that Tyler Seguin always asks his roommate (and fellow movie star) Michael Del Zotto to make him ribs. [Sportsnet]
And finally, if you don’t want to read about Smashfest, you can settle for watching a few of the highlights.