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Dallas Stars Daily Links: The NHL Draft Lottery And You

Posted on by Kathleen Tibbetts

Before the Dallas Stars host the 2018 NHL Draft in June, they’ll take their chances in the NHL Draft Lottery tonight.

As an anti-tanking measure, the league distributes top picks among non-playoffs teams through a random draw. The 2017 edition was particularly dramatic as the New Jersey Devils jumped from fifth to first at the expense of the luckless, last-place Arizona Coyotes, who were demoted to seventh.

The Stars, of course, moved from eighth to third last year. And GM Jim Nill knows what landing one of the very highest picks can mean for an organization’s future (oh it u, Miro Heiskanen), as Mike Heika reports:

“History shows it makes a very big difference to be able to move up into the top three,” said Stars general manager Jim Nill. “It can be a real game-changer for your franchise.”

This season, the odds of jumping up from 13th to first are 2.0 percent for Dallas, but Philadelphia moved up from 12th last season to second, so you have to at least tune in Saturday night to see what happens.

Heika’s Dallas Morning News post also relates that Rich Peverley will represent the team for the second consecutive year. Peverley was there when the Stars moved up into the top three, and Nill hopes that luck will strike twice:

“We asked ourselves, ‘Who is the luckiest guy here?’ and we all agreed it was Rich Peverley,” Nill said. “It worked out last year for us and we’re all hoping he can bring us that luck again this year.”

There’s more at Mike’s place, including the latest lottery odds. [SportsDayDFW]

More Stars

The Draft Lottery is tonight – again, that’s tonight – and here’s a handy reference for the places where the Stars have a chance to make their first-round pick:

As a reminder, here’s Bob McKenzie – as quoted in yesterday’s Links – on the lottery format:

Elsewhere in Heika, Mike assesses the (possibly strong) UFA market for Greg Pateryn, as well as the odds on whether the team will decide to re-sign him.

Around the League(s): Second Round Edition

#Death Is Forever

The #MurderDeathKill Division was at it again last night as the Winnipeg Jets dished out hot pain to the Nashville Predators in Game One. The Jets took the 4-1 victory on the road.

It’s worth pointing out that the Jets’ team shot differential is shocking right now. Quality over quantity?

Today, it’s thunder in the East and fire in the West:

  • The Tampa Bay Lightning host the Boston Bruins as Round Two opens at 2 p.m. CDT.
  • And the San Jose Sharks seek revenge for a 7-0 Game One shutout by the Vegas Golden Knights at 7 p.m. CDT./

The NHL has announced the 2018 Hart Memorial Trophy finalists – and Taylor Hall, Anze Kopitar or Nathan MacKinnon will be crowned league MVP in June.

Evander Kane’s strong playoffs run has hit a snag. The Sharks forward has been suspended one game for a cross-check to the face of Golden Knights forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare during Thursday night’s loss.

Meanwhile, living well really is the best revenge – just ask Gerard Gallant.

Since we’re already (always) talking about the draft, bone up on your prospect knowledge with the latest Hockey News podcast.

And speaking of podcasts, Steve Dangle is there for the Toronto Maple Leafs in their time of loss. The World’s Most Long-Suffering Fan knows just what to do (swear, mostly).

Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park

The Texas Stars begin Round 2 of the 2018 Calder Cup playoffs on Wednesday, May 2 in Arizona. They’ll face the Tucson Roadrunners in the Pacific Division Finals.

It looks as if starting goalie and first-round hero Mike McKenna has decided to personally ensure the guys are getting enough calories.

The Stars’ ringtail mascot, Ringo, already has a championship of his own. KVUE has more.

The Boise Bandwagon

The Idaho Steelheads have posted the schedule for an all-Rockies Round Two against the Colorado Eagles (Colorado Avalanche). The games begin today at Budweiser Events Center in Loveland.

Sean Shapiro spoke with Steelheads coach Neil Graham about how his team pulled off a spectacular comeback to win the first round.

And here’s some local flavor from Rachel Roberts of The Idaho Statesman.

Talking Points