Comments / New

Dallas Stars Daily Links: Jamie Benn Is Back, And Brings A Spark The Stars Need

The Dallas Stars could have had a better weekend. They broke their undefeated streak with a convincing loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, then dropped a shootout heartbreaker to the Canes on Sunday.

But there are reasons to be cheerful about the week to come, and almost all of them center on the return of Jamie Benn.

The Captain brought a big hit and a big goal during his return from a lower-body injury and was instrumental in taking the Stars to the shootout (and the humble but important loser point). His teammates are already feeling the difference Benn can make, writers Stars senior staff writer Mike Heika:

“Chubbs is invaluable to this team, to be honest. He’s our leader, he’s our captain, he’s one of those guys you in the room at all times, because he competes and he’s just a phenomenal leader,” forward Andrew Cogliano said of Benn.

“Chubbs is a man that you genuinely want to play for as a player. He’s selfless as a person and a player. We need him every night.”

“Jamie is one of those players where he does everything really well,” said defenseman Joel Hanley. “Whether you need a goal or a big hit, or he can fight … he does it all. He brings that in every game. He always knows what to say at the right time, and he’s someone everyone looks up to.”

The Stars needed that presence just to feel like themselves again. That happened on Sunday…. [H]eading into two games in Columbus starting on Tuesday, the 4-1-1 Stars feel a little like themselves again. And if the captain is there, that’s a pretty big addition.

There’s more at Mike’s place. [Dallas Stars]


Stars Stuff

Saad Yousuf takes a closer look at Benn’s impact on the back half of the Canes series.

No one is happier to have the Captain back than Rick Bowness.

Around The Leagues

#Death Notes

  • Rookie defender Cal Foote netted his first NHL goal during the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators. [Raw Charge]
  • The first-place Florida Panthers completed a sweep of the Detroit Red Wings with a pair of 3-2 wins over the weekend. [Litter Box Cats]
  • And the Chicago Blackhawks scored twice in the third period to take a victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-1. [Second City Hockey]/

Ty Dellandrea joins Alexis Lafreniere, K’Andre Miller and other rising stars on a list of the best of the 2021 freshman class.

NHL players are glad to be back at work. But there are still things they miss about non-pandemic travel – including dinner on the road.

February is Black History Month, and the league is ready to celebrate.

Finally

We can be frenemies, right…?

Talking Points