NHL hockey is officially on a brief hiatus. Some of the league’s brightest stars have already arrived in San Jose for the 2019 NHL All Star Game, and among them is Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen:
“Everything is happening so fast, all of it in just one year,” Heiskanen said. “It’s very nice, of course, but it happens so fast and it wasn’t something I had in my mind.”
Heiskanen’s teammates are excited for the rookie, perhaps even jealous of the opportunity he has. John Klingberg, who was an All Star last year, hopes his fellow defenseman takes advantage of the time he’ll get with the NHL’s top players:
“It’s a great experience. I want Miro to take it all in and enjoy it,” Klingberg said. “When you start battling and competing with them, that’s so much fun. And then to be able to sit in a room and talk with them. Everyone is picking their brains. How do you take care of your gear, or your stick. Everyone is like kids in there.”
You can read more from Mike Heika here.
Stars Stories
It’ll be a travesty if Heiskanen isn’t in the “Fastest Skater” competition. Here’s Matthew DeFranks on how the Finnish defenseman has become an elite skater: [SportsDay DFW]
Are we sure it was okay to send Heiskanen out to California all by himself?
No nerves as usual for Miro Heiskanen as he meets with the media on day one. The fun begins tomorrow with #NHLAllStar Skills at 8:00 PM on @NBCSN. pic.twitter.com/oW50Qm24SX
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) January 25, 2019
ICYMI: Sean Shapiro asked the Stars’ players about their preferences when it comes to their skates: [The Athletic]
Around the League
Heiskanen may be a rookie, but when it comes to the All Star Game, he’s just as experienced as some of the league’s best:
What’s it like being an all-star for the first time? @THNMattLarkin asked a collection of ecstatic, nervous first-timers, from Landeskog to Rantanen to Scheifele:https://t.co/ed5LKobjbl pic.twitter.com/nxFR7pN9Z1
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) January 25, 2019
Could the end of the “Dead Puck Era” finally be in sight? Based on recent scoring trends, it’s quite possible: [The Athletic]
Remember how the Arizona Coyotes were a trendy “dark horse” playoff pick this pre-season? Well don’t count them out yet:
Coyotes hanging around in playoff race even as injury list grows https://t.co/qLcHSbFPSy
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) January 24, 2019
The PHWA recently announced their midseason awards, but will they mirror the final votes? [The Hockey News]
Finally, here’s a vintage Down Goes Brown piece for you, including a CEO Jim Lites joke that does not disappoint:
Last time: I went old-school DGB to break down the differences between the NHL and the WWE. https://t.co/BvRKvWrTSe pic.twitter.com/mxo8zgK1xr
— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) January 24, 2019