The Dallas Stars traded draft picks, including a conditional first-rounder, for Nils Lundkvist. And we know how highly Jim Nill values his draft picks. Dare we imagine…they’re a little hyped about it?
Certainly, the Stars’ new Swedish right-hander has a stat sheet that suggests a bright future in the highest league. The Dallas Morning News’ Matthew DeFranks put it in context in his latest post:
Lundkvist turned in the most productive season ever by an SHL teenager in 2019-20, with 31 points in 45 games as a 19-year-old. That outpaced reigning Calder Trophy winner Moritz Seider by three points. It was 10 points more than Victor Hedman’s 18-year-old campaign. It was 11 points more than Rasmus Dahlin’s pre-draft season.
His past suggests a high ceiling despite the usual drawbacks for a young, offensive defenseman: not enough size or defensive capabilities.
But the 22-year-old blueliner put up a single goal and only three assists in his first 25 NHL games with the New York Rangers. Will Pete DeBoer’s system provide him the space to throw his caution to the winds – or at least skate the puck more?
Lundkvist said he learned from his experience last year and wants to adjust his mentality in order to display “more courage and more edge.”
“Maybe you do the safe side to not do mistakes, but I feel like if I’m going to be myself, I need to try to do things that make me good: making plays, skating with the puck,” Lundkvist said. “When I played my 25 NHL games, I was a little bit too careful. I feel like I learned a lot from it. I hope I can learn from that experience and develop and be better this year.”
Matt has more. [SportsDayDFW]
Stars Stuff
Friend of DBD Derek Neumeier, the new assistant director of scouting with McKeen’s Hockey (congratulations!), is cautiously optimistic about the Lundkvist trade.
It’s pretty impressive just how well the Dallas Stars have built their blueline’s future
Heiskanen-Lundkvist
Harley-Bichsel
Grushnikov-KyrouIf everything goes according to plan that should be a STACKED amount of depth
— Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) September 20, 2022
Around The Leagues
Sure, goals are fun, but how undervalued is the face-off win? The Hockey News’ Jason Chen takes everything into account, and seven of your favorite Stars get a nod.
If points, PIMs, hits and other notable NHL stats are the backbone of your hockey pool, don’t worry! @jasonchen16 is here with his pre-season rankings for the 2022-23 hockey season: https://t.co/r6bEu5miKf
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) September 21, 2022
“The way in which leadership culture is understood in hockey is the next piece that’s got to change.” A bullying scandal results in major suspensions for a captain and alternate captain.
A B.C. junior hockey team has been fined and two players suspended after a league investigation into allegations of hazing https://t.co/TSswhRaGfW
— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) September 20, 2022
Hockey organists are a vanishing breed, and the Washington Capitals just made them an endangered species.
Found out today that the @Capitals will no longer be using the organ for Caps games. I’ve had a great ride for 22 years- a Stanley Cup Ring -an Emmy – A Winter Classic and lots of great memories with friends.
Thanks Caps fans for your support through the years!— Bruce Anderson (@Bruce_CapsOrgan) September 21, 2022
Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park
The annual ritual of re-painting the ice is a big huge thing, and the Texas Stars are loving it.
she’s so purtyyyyy 😍 pic.twitter.com/j8ROZSjs72
— Texas Stars (@TexasStars) September 19, 2022
Finally
Now it can be told. Mike Piellucci brings back the legend, and it involves Craig Ludwig getting a 4 a.m. wake-up call because you can’t sleep at Burger King. Enjoy.
New story, from our music issue: I attempted to solve one of the Stanley Cup’s greatest urban legends.
Did a Dallas Star *really* dent it by throwing the Cup off Vinnie Paul’s balcony?
And if not… what the hell happened?https://t.co/63SHLbJbPq
— Mike Piellucci (@mikelikessports) September 20, 2022