Thirty years ago, Minnesota North Stars GM Lou Nanne forever changed franchise history when he drafted a WHL forward named Mike Modano. For some time, the North Stars had considered selecting forward Trevor Linden instead, but that possibility was eliminated when the team met with both players:
“We met at the Grand Traverse Hotel in Traverse City,” Nanne said. “Everybody loved the two of them, and it was great to meet both. But in our mind, it wasn’t even a question anymore. We knew what type of player we needed for our hockey team.”
In fact, Minnesota was in heavy discussion to trade out of the top spot, but ultimately decided not to because they couldn’t guarantee that Modano would still be on the board:
“We knew. I really think everybody knew who we were taking, there was no need for cloak and dagger or that other kind of B.S.,” Nanne said. “We knew where we were going, we weren’t interested in trading the pick if we couldn’t guarantee getting Mike. We were looking to get a franchise changing player and that’s what we felt we were getting in him.”
You can read more in Sean Shapiro’s interview with Nanne here.
Dallas Stars News
Good news, everyone! We get at least one more hockey game this season, courtesy of the Texas Stars and their victory last night: [100 Degree Hockey]
STARS WIN GAME 6
Here’s your final @UFCU score update and we’ll be back for Game 7! #TORvsTEX #txstars#CalderCup #AllorNothing pic.twitter.com/7Inz9T9d0h
— x – Texas Stars (@TexasStars) June 13, 2018
McKenzie scores his 11th goal of the playoffs to put the Texas Stars into the lead in a do or die Game 6 in Toronto in the second period.
TEX 1 – 0 TOR pic.twitter.com/QwagARjdfY
— Dylan Nadwodny (@dnadders) June 13, 2018
16 seconds into the power play for Toronto, Sheldon Dreis gets a breakaway. This goal forces Sparks out of the net and in comes Pickard.
TEX 4 – 1 TOR pic.twitter.com/sBOnHYm10B
— Dylan Nadwodny (@dnadders) June 13, 2018
Jason Dickinson hopes this deep playoff run will help take his game to the next level, helping him earn a more permanent spot on the NHL roster next season. [NHL]
Around the League
Some unfortunate news out of Ottawa from yesterday concerning Mike Hoffman’s girlfriend:
Monika Caryk, fiancee of Mike Hoffman, accused of harassing Melinda Karlsson https://t.co/POvVsflPEv
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) June 12, 2018
Do you like rumors? Rory Boylen has you covered with all the latest chatter: [Sportsnet]
Speaking of rumors, it seems like Oliver Ekman-Larsson is all set to extend with the Arizona Coyotes:
Numbers speculated on OEL verbal agreement are correct. 8 yrs…$8.25 aav. No move clause. Likely captaincy. Yotes and OEL…all in.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 12, 2018
This is huge news for the Coyotes, who no longer have to worry about potentially shopping their franchise’s cornerstone player. [The Hockey News]
You’re reaction to the following article will likely depend on where you fall on the whole “Ilya Kovalchuk to the Stars” argument:
Why Sharks reportedly met with Ilya Kovalchuk and how he could fit into their offseason plans https://t.co/u2zcecqfmP
— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) June 12, 2018
Reinforcements are coming to the Vancouver Canucks. Jim Benning expects their 2017 fifth overall pick, Elias Pettersson, to be in the regular lineup next season. [Sportsnet]
Are there any Stars UFAs who might have trouble finding work this offseason? None, according Jared Clinton, but it’s worth the click anyways:
Which notable NHL veterans could have trouble finding work next season? From @THNJaredClinton: https://t.co/Ffm7sTp5eC pic.twitter.com/hsFhnkOhRc
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) June 12, 2018
Finally, here’s a nice gesture from the Washington Capitals towards the Vegas Golden Knights:
All class. The @capitals paid tribute to Las Vegas and the @goldenknights with a full-page ad in Tuesday’s @reviewjournal. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/sWDMQBB1bi
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) June 12, 2018