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Dallas Stars Daily Links: The Draft Is Over, And The Work Begins

Posted on by Kathleen Tibbetts

Now that the 2018 NHL Entry Draft is over, the Dallas Stars can get down to the real work of the offseason. The next five days are devoted to Prospect Development Camp, and all eight of the team’s 2018 draftees will report to Dr Pepper StarCenter Frisco – along with new/old hands like Riley Tufte, Jake Oettinger, Jason Robertson, Markus Ruusu, Chris Martenet, Nick Caamano, Ondrej Vala, and Colton Point.

In his latest story, Gerry Fraley of The Dallas Morning News gives an overview of the boxes the team needs to check during the next several days:

In about three weeks, the Stars will have a good idea of the club they will field in the coming season. They will have addressed the pending free agency of center Tyler Seguin, the completion of a contract for returning-from-Russia winger Valeri Nichushkin and how to fill in holes on the roster….

”We know we’ve got to get better,” general manager Jim Nill said. “Some of that will be internal. Some of that will be with changes we make moving forward.”

Today is also the deadline for the Stars to extend qualifying offers to their eight restricted free agents, including Mattias Janmark and Devin Shore.

“Sometimes, they want to see what else is out there,’’ Nill said. “We’re going to do the same thing.’’

There’s much more at the link. [SportsDayDFW]

More Stars

Still memorizing the new Stars picks reporting to camp today? This video gets you up to speed in 54 seconds.

In other news, the Stars PR staff celebrated a big win during draft weekend. They picked up the 2018 Dick Dillman Award for the Western Conference, awarded by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. [NHL]

Post-Draft Data

Did someone say the future belongs to smaller, fleet-footed blueliners who know how to exit the zone with possession? The answer is yes, several GMs did. Michael Blinn elaborates.

Are the Stars planning moves on John Tavares and Erik Karlsson? The latest 31 Thoughts podcast focuses on draft after-action, including possible futures for Tyler Seguin.

Also at SN, Dimitri Filipovic discusses winners and losers from the weekend just past. [Sportsnet]

Around the League(s)

John Carlson speculation officially ended yesterday. The blueliner re-upped with the Washington Capitals in a deal worth $8 million AAV.

The Vegas Golden Knights aren’t likely to come to terms with James Neal and David Perron, however.

Need a score card to keep up with the signing activity? Bookmark CBC Sports’ free-agency tracker. [CBC]

Another high-profile trade didn’t happen. Now Max Pacioretty will navigate his future – and his dysfunctional relationship with Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin – without his longtime agent, Pat Brisson. Sie Morley of Fear the Fin walks you through it.

It’s been five years since Ilya Kovalchuk played in the NHL. Can he reach his goal of winning a Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings? [Hockey Night in Canada]

Now it can be told: NHL 19 cover star P.K. Subban is not above playing dirty to beat his brothers at Chel. And he really, really likes the new Pond Hockey option.

With all the other NHL news this week, you might be forgiven if you missed the return of the Arizona Coyotes’ iconic “Kachina” third jersey…

…and the rollout of the Carolina Hurricanes’ “Take Warning” third, featuring what may be the most striking use of negative space since the Hartford Whalers crest:

Finally…

Yesterday, Tyler shared Riley Damiani’s revelation that his dad had stepped out to the restroom just before the Stars called Riley’s name. Now you can see their post-draft reunion thanks to this Draft All-Access video. Enjoy.

Talking Points