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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Which Stars Shone Brightest In Traverse City?

From Harley to Kiviranta, Heika has a list. Plus, the RFA saga continues, Shea Theodore shares his battle with cancer, and more.

One more Traverse City tournament is in the books, and there’s still time to talk about which Dallas Stars prospects impressed us the most before the big camp begins. What were you looking for...and does it match up with what the Stars wanted to see?

However you make your own analysis, the front office is pleased, as senior staff writer Mike Heika points out:

“It was like a 10 out of 10 for success for the organization,” said Texas Stars coach Derek Laxdal, who led the prospects team. “I’m very proud of the effort of four games in five nights. This tournament is high octane, and I thought we handled it well.”

Laxdal said he is excited about coaching several of these players at the AHL level and said the cupboard is full for the Stars right now, as far as prospects go.

Joel Kiviranta is older and smaller than many of his fellow forwards, but his performance has brought him extra attention as the Stars prepare for training:

Kiviranta signed a two-way deal that pays him at a rate of $925,000 a year in the NHL or $70,000 a year in the AHL. He is waivers exempt, so he can go back and forth between the NHL and AHL. Several Stars players are in that same situation, so they will all be battling for one of the forward spots.

And Riley Tufte, whom many fans had begun to doubt, is back on the menu as a player to watch:

The big winger made a nice statement coming out of college hockey. Tufte, who is listed at 6-6, 230, had a goal and three assists, and put 11 shots on goal on four games in Traverse City....

At the very least, he has put himself in the conversation for a spot on the opening-night roster. The expectation is he will go to the AHL and start his pro career there, but this was a great statement for Tufte to show he can adjust his game from the college level.

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

Stars Stuff

Check it out: The Stars honored some of their best prospects for #WallpaperWednesday.

Meanwhile, back to the veterans: Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry are among the training-camp storylines to watch according to NHL.com’s Dan Rosen.

Around The League(s)

“Whether or not you believe everything happens for a reason...” Shea Theodore shares his story of cancer, recovery, and a timely text from Phil Kessel in The Players’ Tribune.

Josh Morrissey is getting paid, y’all. Will the high-drafted defender help solidify their lineup for years to come?

Are Ivan Provorov and Travis Konecny any closer to sealing new deals with the Philadelphia Flyers? Maybe and maybe not, depending on who calls whom and when....

Hey, and now that the Winnipeg Jets are shaking out some loose change, maybe they can search the couch cushions for Patrik Laine’s new contract.

There are always veterans who participate in NHL camps on PTOs. Plano’s Stefan Noesen is on Jared Clinton’s list of those who could actually make a squad.

The Mitch Marner saga continues, only now it’s becoming more and more public. Wysh offers his thoughts, and shares a video of Alex Ovechkin with a cereal named after him.

Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park (And Beautiful Boise)

Texas Stars mascot Ringo the Ringtail is up to the usual, which is to say, taking stuff and then trading it away.

Elsewhere, the Idaho Steelheads have signed Minnesota State Mavericks standout (and Gopher State native) Max Coatta for the upcoming season.

Finally

Are you shivering with antici... pation? Or is that the ice?

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