Sign in Subscribe
Front Page

Dallas Stars Daily Links: Examining The Market For Mats Zuccarello

Matthew DeFranks looks at comparables to see how the Stars may deal or no-deal with the Norwegian sparkplug. Plus, the Conn Smythe front-runners, reviewing expanded review, and more.

Should the Dallas Stars do whatever they must to keep Mats Zuccarello in Big D? Or should they be looking over his shoulder for a new dance partner?

The Dallas Morning News’ Matthew DeFranks has done some sums. He takes a look at the market, as well as the Stars’ history, starting with how the Stars have made deals with players like Zucc in the past:

Zuccarello is a creative, offensive-minded winger who can play on the top power play unit but doesn’t kill penalties and just averaged a career-high 19:51 of ice time per game this season, although he topped that figure just once in non-overtime games during his 15 regular-season and postseason games with the Stars.

This will likely be Zuccarello’s last chance to cash in with a big-money, multi-year contract and he probably would have posted his sixth straight season with at least 49 points had he not broken his arm blocking a shot in February.

He also examines the no-state-taxes trope and whether it’s really worth it for a player to take a discount on that basis:

While no state taxes in Texas assuredly helps the Stars, it’s not as big an advantage as often thought. Players are taxed on their salaries based on where they earn the money, so for road games, players are taxed by the city and state they play in. For example, if the Stars had a week-long road trip through California, they would get taxed that week by California.

But if the contract is structured with heavy signing bonuses paid in July (like Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn ’s are), the no-tax effect is amplified.

There’s more at the News. [SportsDayDFW]

Stars Stuff

Prospect center Riley Damiani gets a mention in this article on late 2018 NHL Draft picks who are shaping up to be real contenders.

Are you a youngish adult in the Mid-Cities who wants to slap some pucks around in league play? Check it out.

Just leaving this here.

Around The League(s)

Stanley Cup Game 7, tomorrow night at 7 p.m. Central time.

And speaking of the Stanley Cup Final, Sean McIndoe has thoughts about how expanded review might actually work, and what the league needs to learn.

Who’s leading the race for Stanley Cup MVP? Here’s the latest.

Jeff Skinner’s new deal with the Buffalo Sabres has set the market for summer UFAs, and the market is good.

The Edmonton Oilers probably aren’t rebuilding if they’re still promoting from within, just saying.

Looks like we’re getting another interesting doc about how Soviet hockey players made it to the NHL. The Russian Five focuses on how they transformed the Detroit Red Wings.

Read next