Well, that was an eventful weekend, wasn’t it? You might be forgiven for losing track of non-Patrick Sharp-related informations, but that’s one reason why we’re here.
For example, Mike Heika had a few moments with Jamie Benn to discuss his ongoing recovery from double hip surgery. Rather than make his usual trip home to Victoria, B.C., Jamie’s staying in Frisco this summer to get in his workouts and some ice time. He talks about what he thinks, and hopes, may be his condition after his recovery is complete:
“I think I could just feel better as an all-around player. Get lower on face-offs, extend my stride a little more, and maybe be a faster skater, too. Who knows? I still have a lot of work to do, and I’ll probably have to take more time and stay on a routine to keep the flexibility, but I do think it could just be less pain and better recovery from games.”
He’s also discussed it with current and former teammates who have gone through the procedure:
“I’ve talked to Klinger, and he’s gone through it twice, and he feels good out there, so I feel positive about what’s ahead. I talked to [former Stars player] Brad Richards, and he said he’s never felt better. I’m hopeful that’s how I’m going to feel, too.”
And he’s not the only Star spending time at Dr Pepper StarCenter this summer. Jordie Benn and Jason Demers have joined him to work with a power-skating coach.
“It’s not every day that guys will get a coach and power skate, but I think we’re all trying to work hard and get better. I get a feeling there is a difference right now. It’s exciting to see guys want to go out there and work hard. As a teammate, I love to see that.”
There’s plenty more at Heika’s Dallas Morning News blog. Go on, you know you want to. [Sports Day DFW]
Speaking of Demers, he has quickly revealed himself as something of a teammate’s teammate during the past months in Dallas. Here he’s Insty’ed fond farewells to his departing colleagues.
*****
As the dust settles from the shock-and-awe portion of Jim Nill’s offseason campaign, the reaction continues to come in. David Haugh of The Chicago Tribune boils it down to this. [Chicago Tribune]
Blackhawks won’t be the same without Patrick Sharp, writes @DavidHaugh http://t.co/MDVsUOG011 pic.twitter.com/nTGBzEiiyF
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) July 12, 2015
@StarsAsylum took it all in stride.
#InNillWeTrust pic.twitter.com/5StGVQQjeU
— Stars Asylum (@StarsAsylum) July 12, 2015
And @NHLRumorUpdate says this so you don’t have to.
DAL’s projected lineup Benn-Seguin-Nichushkin Sharp-Spezza-Hemsky Roussel-Eakin-Eaves Mckenzie-Fiddler-Ritchie Best offense in the league?
— NHL Rumor Update (@NHLRumorUpdate) July 11, 2015
And you’d better believe business has picked up on Stars Sunday. The podcast of yesterday’s edition is up now.
ICYMI: Episode 8 of #StarsSunday is now on the @DallasStars website: http://t.co/9yTiUeMsUg & at the iTunes Store: https://t.co/i10LjSRJR8
— Owen Newkirk (@OwenNewkirk) July 13, 2015
Trade action continues elsewhere in the league, as the Toronto Maple Leafs swap forwards with the Nashville Predators — Toronto Marlies left wing Jamie Devane for RFA right wing Taylor Beck.
#Leafs acquire forward Taylor Beck from #Predators for Jamie Devane: http://t.co/Siek54Uumv #NHL #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/FPt3IOuGQZ
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 12, 2015
After trading Patrick Sharp and his $5.9 million cap hit, will the Blackhawks still end up having to move on from defender Johnny Oduya? Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray wants to call dibs.
Sabres GM still interested in free-agent defenseman Johnny Oduya http://t.co/Hx9aBuldie pic.twitter.com/yHj3UUyuY7
— theScore NHL (@theScoreNHL) July 12, 2015
The AHL Board of Governors wrapped up its annual meeting last week, and the changes for 2015-16 will effect the rules for overtime, faceoffs, and video review, among others. [Texas Stars]
The Hockey Writers have put together a list of the top 10 NHL players from nontraditional countries. You’ll never guess which Dallas Star is on it, by which I mean you probably have already. [The Hockey Writers]
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has posted a great article on the hockey analytics movement, including the story of how two guys who met in Carnegie Mellon University’s statistics program teamed up to create War on Ice. [TribLIVE]
Buffalo Sabres ultra-prospect Jack Eichel is making headlines in development camp, too. Watch this video to see him rip a wrister through the net. …No, through the net. BarDown has put together a sort of Week in Eichel, just in case you don’t know Jack. [BarDown]
Former @TerrierHockey @Jack_Eichel11 continues to amaze, blowing a shot through the net today #SCtop10 @Buccigross pic.twitter.com/VFdCXQOTSJ
— SabreTalk.com (@SabreTalk) July 12, 2015
Meanwhile, the Texas State Hockey Club, like other college teams in this region, gets a small amount of its operating money from the university and counts on its members to make up the rest. A little GoFundMe goes a long way. Here’s your chance to chip in.
Yall help us get the word out about our go fund me page, donate and RT http://t.co/WhmhGTffVb #TXST19 #TXST
— Texas State Hockey (@TxStateHockey) July 13, 2015
This isn’t hockey-related — unless you count NHL Stanley Cup and plenty of other games, which I will — but generations of gamers are mourning the untimely death of Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, at just 55 years of age. This video seems like a good way to pay tribute to him.
Finally: Crosby more days until the start of the season. Happy trails!