After signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Stars, center Justin Dowling talked with Sean Shapiro about his future in the organization and his NHL hopes.
“It’s not time to go chase money in Europe yet,” Dowling said in a phone interview from Hawaii on Friday. “My agent and I talked about that, but Europe will always be there. I’m getting close and I enjoy this organization (Dallas), so I’m not ready to put that NHL opportunity on hold.”
Shapiro also pointed out Dowling’s work ethic and his journey from the ECHL to Cedar Park
Dowling was on an AHL-only contract when Texas won the Calder Cup during the 2013-14 season, which grew into a two-year NHL contract before the 2014-15 season. During that time he established himself as a leader in Cedar Park, and if not for untimely injuries last season he would have made his NHL debut.
There’s more on the 25-year-old at the link. [Wrong Side of the Red Line]
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Over at Newsday, Arthur Staple names Valeri Nichushkin as one of the dozen players the Islanders could go after this summer.
It seems a very long shot that Dallas would surrender Nichushkin so quickly into his NHL career, but if the Isles were willing, this big wing (6-4, 205 pounds) could be a star alongside Tavares.
There’s more on Val and other NYI targets at the link. [Newsday]
If you missed Mike Heika’s recent Stars chat, don’t forget to read more about Tyler Seguin and the team’s rookies. [SportsDayDFW]
Sean Shapiro has more details on the contracts for Justin Dowling and Brendan Ranford.
Justin Dowling and Brendan Ranford each getting nice AHL raises next season from $70K to $130K. NHL term is $625,000 for both. #txstars
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) June 4, 2016
An overtime goal from Joonas Donskoi lifted the Sharks to a 3-2 win over the Penguins. [Fear the Fin]
Here’s Donskoi’s game-winner.
Ahead of puck drop, Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer shared a story about meeting Muhammad Ali at prom. [The Hockey News]
There was plenty of extra star power at the Shark Tank last night. #treatyoself
Spotted in San Jose: @unfoRETTAble supporting her pal @Burnzie88. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/JWbIpFZVGK
— #StanleyCup Final (@NHL) June 5, 2016
Read all about the expansion process that brought the Sharks into being. [Puck Daddy]
Does a lawsuit against Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos mean that the Canes could be headed out of Raleigh? [Sports Illustrated]
Here are the 10 things we learned at this year’s Combine. [Sportsnet]
P.K. Subban is taking advantage of his offseason free time to watch some baseball.
It’s no easy thing to draft a goalie. [Toronto Star]
Top prospect Patrik Laine continues to impress, both with his skill on the ice and his confidence off it. [TSN]
Is Alexander Radulov worth a $7.5 million contract? [Puck Daddy]
And finally, Marshawn Lynch cheered on the Sharks last night.
Activate Beast Mode for the 2nd period. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/nYsnhqdFmY
— #StanleyCup Final (@NHL) June 5, 2016