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Dallas Stars Daily Links: The 2018 NHL Draft Is Coming to Dallas. Now What?

Posted on by Kathleen Tibbetts

It was “one of the worst-kept secrets in the hockey community” by NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly’s own reckoning, and on Saturday night it became official: The Dallas Stars, and the City of Dallas itself, will host the NHL Entry Draft June 22-23, 2018.

The benefits for the city and its international aspirations are obvious:

“We consider this a big win for us. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with the Dallas Stars, the NHL, Center Operating, Company, American Airlines Center, City of Dallas and Visit Dallas to bring this here for the local fans,” said Monica Paul, executive director of the Dallas Sports Commission. “And to bring this to the youth of Dallas, that’s a special thing, helping to continue to grow the game of hockey here. There is an international appeal here, and I think that’s going to have a great impact on Dallas.”

The potential fly in the ointment is the Texas legislature’s newest attempt to pass a transgender bathroom bill, which could cause organizations to cancel major conventions and events in the state and possibly provoke a more widespread boycott:

Daly said he’s aware of the state’s so-called “bathroom bill,” which would limit restroom use by transgender men, women and children. The bill, which was passed by the state Senate but is not yet under consideration in the House, could make the league reconsider about bringing a showcase event to Texas.

“It’s an important issue for the league,” Daly said, “and we’re a very inclusive league, and we’re proud we’re an inclusive league. I think the legislation is important … From what I understand from the mayor is it’s not going to be a problem, so we don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”

There’s more at Mike’s place. [SportsDayDFW]

Here’s the Stars’ official video commemorating the announcement:

And here’s Sean Shapiro on how the Draft party will fit into the Stars’ 25th-anniversary celebration.

FOX Sports Southwest – home of the Stars on DFW television – is excited about a having a guaranteed marquee event in their backyard.

The You Can Play Project has a statement of its own: “We believe events like this should be held in states, cities and venues where all fans, athletes and their families feel welcome.”

Cody Benjamin calls the announcement one more piece of the Stars’ “impressive” offseason. [CBS Sports]

It’s never too early to start speculating about who will go in the first round, either. (Just sayin’.) [The Hockey Writers]

And even Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings turns into a fanboy around Marty Turco.

MORE STARS

ICYMI: The Hockey News has turned its 2020 Vision series on the Stars, and here’s what they think the team will look like in three seasons’ time. Get ready for some surprises among both who’s there and who’s missing. (Also, Ken Campbell, learn to spell Jason Dickinson’s name, please and thank you.)

Also at THN: See where the fans rank the Stars’ front-office action in Dom Luszczyszyn’s 2017 confidence survey. [THN]

Does a rising tide really raise all boats? Heika says that if Ben Bishop provides the expected boost in net with the Stars, it also gives Kari Lehtonen a chance to return to his own best form.

Meanwhile, Mark Stepneski looks at first-round goaltending prospect Jake Oettinger as part of the Stars’ steadily rising stock at the position.

More #Murder

The Nashville Predators have secured the services of star center Ryan Johansen for the foreseeable future with an eight-year contract at $8 million AAV.

And the Minnesota Wild lock up RFA forward Nino Niederreiter with a five-year contract worth an average $5.25 million per year.

Around the league

It’s nearly August, and Jaromir Jagr still hasn’t signed with an NHL team. Satchel Price writes about the factors involved, and the kind of team that should consider adding the Jagr-meister. [SBNation]

Jared Clinton just comes out and says it.

Meanwhile, Andrei Markov is moving on. The UFA defenseman will play in the KHL in 2017-18 after 16 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens.

Ryan Lambert is trying to figure out whether the Habs are in win-now mode or Charlie Brown mode.

Undrafted free agent Conor Sheary gets paid: The Pittsburgh Penguins’ fourth-leading scorer last season (behind Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel) has signed a three-year, $9 million deal.

And another Hobey Baker Award winner goes to free agency: This time it’s University of Denver Pioneers D Will Butcher, who was drafted in 2013 by the Colorado Avalanche but, well, you know.

Greg Wyshynski examines the NHL’s NTCs to discover whom they’re hurting (the Red Wings), whom they’re helping (the Wild) and how they’re ideally used.

Finally

Kari Lehtonen started his weekend on the ice with the kids in Stars summer camp in Plano. Enjoy the photos.

Talking Points