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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Stu Barnes Brings Postseason Savvy As A Stars Assistant Coach

Hardcore Dallas Stars fans – which means, well, you, among others – already know something of Stu Barnes’ value as an assistant coach. Even more casual fans may know that the former on-ice favorite helped sort out a once-feckless power play and brings a world of playoffs wisdom to the bench.

Mike Heika has devoted his latest post to exploring the impact of that experience. The Captain can appreciate it:

“He’s definitely someone we can relate to. He’s been in these games, so he knows that pressure, and he’s also been on long playoff runs, so he knows about the highs and lows that you go through,” said Stars captain Jamie Benn. “That’s great to me. The more experience you have going through stuff like this, the better for everyone.”

The Victory Green gang’s youth squad agrees:

“At first, when I got here, I didn’t know his history,” said forward Jason Dickinson. “But then I started looking into his career and I was just so impressed with everything he has been through. He has so much to offer us from his experience, and I try to take advantage of all of that.”

Dickinson said he loves talking to Barnes, and said sometimes he gets new ideas just from casual conversations. Montgomery stresses the feedback between coaches and players, and Barnes is perfect in that role.

”Personally, I’ve used Barnesy a lot. He’s like the big brother for me, so I can talk to him about everything, really,” Dickinson said. “We go down and break down film and I bounce stuff him and Fids a lot and then pick their brains and get a different perspective. He’s so easy to talk to and sees all sides of the game from both playing and coaching, and it’s great to be able to get that perspective from him.”

And it’s a pretty good guess that no one is happier than Barnes about Dickinson’s postseason breakout:

“To me, the best part of the job is when you see growth in players,” he said. “When you have been there with a player and talked to him every day, and then someone like Roope or Dickie, they take the next step and figure things out, that’s pretty rewarding. Everybody has their strengths, and I think if you can add to that and use your mind to help them use their strengths, that’s a good thing.”

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


Stars Stuff: Second Round Edition

Now that you’ve read Taylor’s recap, enjoy Sean Shapiro’s 20/20 on last night’s Game 4 victory.

Mark Stepneski brings his top five takeaways in a new post.

Speaking of the power play, here’s Jason Spezza, God of Hellfire.

And speaking of Dickie and his Stanley Cup playoffs stardom, there was this.

I’ll just point out that some of us have known this was Roope Hintz’s future for some time now.

John Klingberg going top shelf: so nice, you have to see it twice.

Have the Stars broken Jordan Binnington? The Calder Trophy finalist, who took a double-minor last night, has a history of going able-sugar when losing to a Stars team. [NHL]

Iain MacIntyre says this new rally is just part of a season-long trend.

Sean and Owen Newkirk had plenty to discuss in last night’s Carcast.

Around The League(s): Playoffs Edition

Wild-card chaos continues: The Carolina Hurricanes are one game away from sweeping the New York Islanders after last night’s 5-2 win.

This is one reason why Gary Bettman will always get booed.

Sad news: Longtime Vancouver hockey writer Jason Botchford, recently of The Athletic, has died suddenly at the young age of 48.

Greetings From Beautiful Boise: Kelly Cup Edition

The Idaho Steelheads rallied back from a 3-0 series deficit with a 4-2 victory over the Tulsa Oilers.

Finally

I’ll just let the Bunch of Jerks have the last word. Enjoy.

Talking Points