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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Lehtonen Enjoying Unofficial Retirement

Lehtonen was most recently seen helping out the Stars during this week’s development camp. Plus, taking a peek at some future Stars, free agents to avoid, and more.

It’s been more than a year since Kari Lehtonen last laced up for a Dallas Stars game. And although he likes to avoid the word “retirement,” he’s found peace knowing he’s already played in his last NHL game:

“I was thinking if somebody has a bad start or injuries and stuff, (I’d) be able to sneak in and go to a team,” Lehtonen said. “But I eventually decided just, ‘This is it.’ I started spending more time at home with my family and kids. I still didn’t like want to announce anything like I’m retiring because I didn’t want to close that door.

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“I wanted to see if I get the itch to play again,” Lehtonen said, “but I haven’t felt like I want to suit up.”

In his post-NHL life, Lehtonen has been spending most of his time with family, including helping out with his six-year-old son’s hockey team. But most recently, Lehtonen decided to help out coaching some slightly older young players at the Stars’ development camp:

“I just wanted to know if I could come here and kind of test my feet in goalie coaching,” Lehtonen said on Tuesday. “I can relate a lot better to these young goalies than the little six-year-old ones.”

You can read more from Sean Shapiro here.

Stars Stories

Speaking of goaltenders and development camp, Stars prospect Jake Oettinger is ready to make the most out of his first full year playing professionally:

And since you haven’t read enough about him already, here’s a nice story on the Stars’ most recent first rounder, Thomas Harley:

The Stars signed Taylor Fedun to a two-year contract extension. Just, uhh, don’t talk about it in the comments section:

Around the League

Down Goes Brown talks about the latest Hockey Hall of Fame inductees and the infamous “state income tax” in his latest Grab Bag:

Buyers beware — let’s hope the Stars avoid the following players come Monday:

Personally, I think Patrik Laine ends up getting a bridge deal, but it’s not the only option on the table for the Winnipeg Jets:

Should the NHL move to a soft salary cap? Greg Wyshynski makes the case for it in his latest Wysh List:

Finally, the premise sounds very cliché, but this piece on the NHL’s future is worth your time and attention:

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