Happy birthday, Miro Heiskanen! The Dallas Stars’ top prospect turns 19 years old today, which, according to my sources, is pretty dang young for someone who’s probably good enough to be a top-four defenseman for most NHL teams.
There’s no corresponding article from today about Heiskanen — or at least there isn’t as of me writing this — so instead, here’s a film room piece that Sean Shapiro put together about two months ago:
Film Room: Taking a look at Stars top prospect Miro Heiskanen https://t.co/hwhuW43iC8
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) May 11, 2018
Side Note: Heiskanen shares the same birthday as my girlfriend. I knew there was a reason I like him so much!
Stars Stories
It’s been brought to my attention that it’s also Jamie Benn’s birthday. No idea how I missed that one, but let’s all wish the captain a happy 29th!
ouch, tough one pic.twitter.com/OEoKZCFTH8
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 17, 2018
Dillon Heatherington has inked a one-year deal for the 2017-2018 season as he prepares to fight for a roster spot:
The Dallas Stars have signed defenseman Dillon Heatherington to a one-year, two-way contract. https://t.co/VrKyuCOBcL
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 16, 2018
While the Stars sat at home this last postseason, expansion draft casualty Cody Eakin was playing in the Stanley Cup Final with the Vegas Golden Knights. But was losing Eakin even that big of a deal for the Stars? [Sportsday DFW]
Good news everyone: the Idaho Steelheads are remaining the Stars’ ECHL affiliate!
Stars and @Steelheads extend affiliation through 2020, affiliated since 2005. Currently the third longest NHL/ECHL affiliation behind Wheeling (Pittsburgh) and Florida (Carolina).
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) July 16, 2018
Around the League
A couple of contracts were finalized on Monday. First, Elias Lindholm got a long-term deal with his new team — the Calgary Flames:
CAL signs Elias Lindholm 6x$4.85. No clauses
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 16, 2018
Personally, I think it’s a steal, but there are those who have their doubts about the contract. [NBC Sports]
Next, the Anaheim Ducks gave out a five-year extension to Adam Henrique:
Per source, Adam Henrique’s five-year extension with the Ducks holds an AAV of $5.825 million. He had one year left on the deal he signed with New Jersey, so the 28-year-old center is now under contract for six more seasons. Big piece of business for GMBM
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) July 16, 2018
Sometimes strong, consistent goaltending can make or break your team’s season (just ask the Vegas Golden Knights and the Chicago Blackhawks). Here are some netminders who struggled last year but could bounce back this season: [The Hockey News]
Justin Bourne has a great piece on what analysts do in the NHL and where the field is heading:
New for @TheAthleticNHL:
What does an NHL statistical analyst do, how do the numbers shape strategy, and where is this all going? https://t.co/DfqLSQwj5M
— Justin Bourne (@jtbourne) July 17, 2018
Greg Wyshnski steps through each of the 31 teams and decides how much they’re improved (or gotten worse) this offseasson. [ESPN]
In a similar vein, should fans be worried if their team has been quiet this offseason (coughDallascough)?
“Why hasn’t my team made any big moves this off-season”?
If you feel that way, @THNMattLarkin breaks down which teams should be panicking and which shouldn’t: https://t.co/HFp6EBQeVj pic.twitter.com/rFclwHL6TY
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) July 17, 2018
Finally…
Sometimes the best questions are the hardest to answer:
the answer should be Ovious pic.twitter.com/Yku1N7xmO5
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) July 17, 2018
Side Note: It actually isn’t hard at all. It’s obviously Fountain Ovi.