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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Let Us Now Praise Joe Pavelski

There was so much going on in the Dallas Stars’ 6-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings that you could be forgiven for not being able to keep up with all of it.

But some moments are worth revisiting. The Athletic‘s Saad Yousuf examined two that sum up the impact of Joe Pavelski, on and off the ice, in what turned out to be a big night for both him and the team:

Sports are often about wins and losses and bottom-line production, and understandably so. In one week, that’s all that will matter for these Dallas Stars.

But for this one night, it wasn’t all about the result and it wasn’t all about the numbers. It was a culmination of everything, a celebration of a leader who will one day claim his spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

That impact, inevitably, includes the example he sets for the Stars’ youngest future franchise cornerstones:

When you ask Pavelski how he’s been able to maintain his excellence so deep into his career, and why he chooses the leadership style he does, he often refers back to his NHL upbringing in San Jose under Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. Johnston is a 19-year-old Calder candidate while Robertson is a 23-year-old Hart candidate. Both players are still unbelievably young, but it’s not hard to envision that when the same questions are asked of them a decade or two from now, Pavelski’s name will be one of the first that comes out of their mouths.

There’s much more behind the paywall. [The Athletic DFW]

Stars Stuff

Best seventh-round draft pick in history…or best draft pick in history? You be the judge.


And the markers just keep coming.


Around The Leagues

In On The #Kill Taker

  • The Winnipeg Jets came one step closer to locking up a Stanley Cup wildcard berth with a 6-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. [NHL]
  • The Minnesota Wild haven’t given up on winning the Dirty Central, taking a 4-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. [St. Paul Pioneer Press]
  • And the Nashville Predators doused the Calgary Flames’ playoffs hopes with a 3-2 shootout victory. [On The Forecheck]

Remember this guy? He’s having himself a season, too.


The post-pandemic era has truly begun: The Toronto Maple Leafs’ organization is back to hosting plaza parties, just in time for the postseason.


Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights are getting ready for the playoffs the best-fashioned way.


If you had money on the Quinnipiac Bobcats winning their first NCAA championship in a 10-second sudden-death overtime…then a very happy retirement to you. [NBC CT]


Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park, And Beautiful Boise

Why hello there, Mavrik Bourque…or should we call you Black Ace?


Meanwhile, Dylan Wells just reported to the Idaho Steelheads, but he’s already doing work.


Finally

In case you missed Jake Oettinger’s special mask honoring retiring Stars Head Equipment Manager Steve “Sudsy” Sumner…well, you can’t miss it, is all. Enjoy.


Talking Points