Dallas Stars Daily Links: The Stars Look To New Combos For Scoring This Season
Even with Tyler Seguin on injured reserve, Matthew DeFranks finds “potent potential” on attack. Plus, the Stars cancel Friday practice, big winners at the World Juniors, and more.
With the first week of training camp in the books, the Dallas Stars’ season storylines are coming into focus. But one of the biggest has been a known-known for weeks: The team needs a big jolt on offense to make up for the temporary loss of Tyler Seguin.
A solution has presented itself: a new top line led by that noted speed demon...Jamie Benn.
Don’t laugh. The Dallas Morning News’ Matthew DeFranks has been watching practice all week at Comerica Center. He reports that even at the ripe age of 31, Benn can still skate with the youngsters, even when those youngsters are named All Gas No Brakes Denis Gurianov and Roope Hintz:
“Jamie can skate, he can keep up with those guys,” Stars coach Rick Bowness said. “It gives them some experience. We want to see what it looks like and we’re going to give it a good look. They made some great plays today. We can see that when we play against NHL competition, NHL teams. That was a good first scrimmage for them, for sure.”
A Benn-Hintz-Gurianov top line for the Stars would be an interesting proposition for Dallas. Hintz and Gurianov are two of the fastest players on the roster, and Benn’s physicality and net-front presence could complement the speedsters’ skills.
Meanwhile, the cavalry on the horizon is taking the form of top forward prospect Ty Dellandrea, who has made a big impression with his camp performance so far:
“He’s got a lot of jump, he’s skating really well,” Bowness said. “He’s very confident and very poised for a young player. He looked really good today. His versatility certainly helps him, the fact that he can play wing and play center. He’s very comfortable on the ice, not one bit intimidated. That’s part of the growth of a young player. He’s certainly had a very good day. He’s looked very good in the first three days of camp. He’s doing everything he can to make this hockey club.”
Matt has more. [SportsDayDFW]
Stars Stuff
Well, it’s official.
The following statement has been released by the NHL. pic.twitter.com/aJcwSMX03k
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) January 8, 2021
ICYMI, Matt shares the league’s testing and isolation protocols.
From the NHL's positive test protocol on how long positive tests must isolate, and how the league defines close contacts. pic.twitter.com/Oif38G5awF
— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) January 8, 2021
Will there still be opportunities for prospects and depth players alike to contribute this season? Stars senior staff writer Mike Heika thinks so.
"You never know when your chance is going to come, and you never know what impact that can have."
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) January 8, 2021
The expanded roster- taxi squad 🚖-will give younger players their shot to make an impact. https://t.co/QdBGdXs8D8
Around The Leagues
COVID-19 has impacted much more than crowd size for pro hockey. Imagine what the trade deadline will look like.
Canadian GMs like Senators' Pierre Dorian expecting it "to be difficult to make trades with U.S.-based teams" https://t.co/9jLpiViryc
— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) January 7, 2021
Miro Heiskanen is everywhere, including this list of top fantasy prospects.
Highest ranked @NHLFantasy players who are potential 2021 restricted free agents:
— Pete Jensen 🏒 (@NHLJensen) January 8, 2021
1. Svechnikov
2. Pettersson
3. Makar
4. Q. Hughes
5. Hart
6. Laine
7. Shesterkin
8. Samsonov
9. B. Tkachuk
10. Heiskanen
11. Fiala
More in top 250 📈 + podcast 🎧: https://t.co/60RldPbXHg
But how did he just barely make this list, and chosen by only one writer?
The NHL is giving fans a chance to vote for their preseason all division teams. Today, https://t.co/lf7CgbHFsN writers reveal their picks for the Discover Central Division. https://t.co/yd8yfuiLtv via @NHLdotcom
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) January 7, 2021
At The Hockey News, Matt Larkin takes a look at who’s contending and who’s just clinging on in the West Division...
Stanley Cup Windows 2020-21: West Division.
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) January 7, 2021
Senior writer @THNMattLarkin continues his projections of where each NHL team sits on its long-term championship timeline.https://t.co/6xJUGNDvtO
...while Ryan Kennedy ranks the NHL Draft prospects who won the World Juniors.
Who helped their 2021 draft stock at the World Junior Championship? @THNRyanKennedy asked NHL scouts about Beniers, Kirsanov, Wallstedt and more https://t.co/AxsEm7LVEu
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) January 8, 2021
Finally
This bag of salad is the timeline cleanse you’re looking for. Enjoy.
Flow appreciation tweet 🙌 pic.twitter.com/aALVdLls7F
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) January 6, 2021