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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Another Big Season For Alexander Radulov?

Posted on by Kathleen Tibbetts

Alexander Radulov likes to score. As arguably the Dallas Stars’ most exciting winger, he personally accounted for 29 goals and 43 assists in 70 games last season. But at age 33, how much does he have left in the tank?

If you read Mark’s Radulov review earlier this week, you’re probably already excited about what he might do this season. And Stars senior staff writer Mike Heika finds that Rads has consistently exceeded expectations since he came back to the NHL from CSKA Moscow:

His return to the NHL in 2016 was impressive in Montreal with 54 points (18 goals, 36 assists) in 76 games, but he has since pushed those numbers significantly higher with the Stars. In 2017-18, he was great with 27 goals and 45 assists in 82 games, but he upped that pace last season. He had 217 shots on goal in 82 games in 2017-18 and had 209 in 70 games last season, so he is becoming a significant offensive force.

Radulov reduced the amount of minor penalties he had from 36 in 2017-18 to 27 last season, albeit in 12 fewer games. It was a sign that he understands areas that need to be improved and is trying to make progress in those areas.

Will new players like Joe Pavelski and emerging stars like Roope Hintz give him even more opportunities to shine? Don’t rule it out:

Radulov had 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 13 playoff games last season, showing he can perform when the pressure is on. He once again should get plenty of time on the power play (he led the Stars last season at 3:06 per game), and could help the Stars improve their numbers there. You can pretty much pencil him in for 70 points again, and there is a chance he could exceed that with the improvement in top-six talent the Stars acquired in the offseason.

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

Stars Stuff

Thomas Harley, Jason Robertson and Ty Dellandrea lead the list of the Stars’ top prospects in Corey Pronman’s preseason rankings.

No one is more ready for the new season than Josh Bogorad. The Stars play-by-play announcer reflects on the first year of his dream job.

Around The League(s)

Why are superstars like Mitch Marner, Patrik Laine and Ivan Provorov still unsigned – and why is next summer projected to be even more of an RFA cliffhanger?

Don’t call it a comeback: Expect Clayton Keller, Dougie Hamilton, Martin Jones and more to shake off a down season.

And don’t call it a fluke, either: The Carolina Hurricanes should be dishing out force majeure-level suffering (and Jerk Store jokes) for years to come.

Also at THN: Even in August, there are great UFA signings to be made. Jared Clinton looks at some of the decade’s best, from Lee Stempniak to – wait for it! – Raffi Torres.

Finally

Here is a video of Texas Stars mascot Ringo the Ringtail playing with a puppy. Happy Friday!

Talking Points