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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Gaming Out A Tyler Seguin Extension

Posted on by Kathleen Tibbetts

As the Dallas Stars prepare to host the 2018 NHL Draft, fans everywhere are speculating on the promising talent available – and which future superstars might soon wear their colors.

For the host team, the most important deal will probably involve a current franchise player. No. 1 center Tyler Seguin, scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in summer 2019, can sign an extension as early as July 1, 2018. Stars fans will like it just fine if he does.

But should they worry if the offseason comes and goes with no big announcement from GM Jim Nill? Mike Heika of The Dallas Morning News takes a look at a possible game plan. It helps that Segs himself sounds ready for a good discussion:

Seguin said he will be patient, that he likes the direction of the team, and that he loves the city of Dallas. Despite missing the playoffs the last two seasons, Seguin said Monday: “I think we’re closer than farther away, for sure.”…

”I feel like I took a lot of strides this year. Obviously, I got a huge opportunity with the new coaching staff, and I did my best to pull on that rope and earn my way,” Seguin said. “I don’t want to say my game changed, but it evolved and matured, and it really started with the coaches telling me what they wanted. It really was them not giving me slack.”

The incredibly team-friendly contract Seguin brought with him from the Boston Bruins has given him an average salary of $5.75 million per season in Dallas. So what happens now that it’s time to get paid for real? All eyes will be on Seguin’s nearest 2018 comparable, John Tavares, and what the superstar pivot does or doesn’t do to renew his deal with the New York Islanders in the next few weeks. Seguin and his agent could also look to what top centers such as Leon Draisaitl, Anze Kopitar and Steven Stamkos have already gotten.

Another good example lives closer to home. Captain Jamie Benn re-signed early in summer 2016, and he can vouch for the benefits of having this business squared away:

The fact the GM and Benn went through this same negotiation two years ago creates a nice background for this summer. Benn said he will offer any advice to Seguin.

”We have a great relationship, and we’ve had a couple of small chats about it,” Benn said of his linemate. “It’s nice to get it done. It’s nice when you have a team that wants to re-sign you and they jump on the first opportunity, so hopefully we can get Segs all signed up again.”

There’s much more at Mike’s place. [SportsDayDFW]

Happy May Day, everyone! Grace Jones says hey.

On to the news….

More Stars

The last time the Stars picked at No. 13 in the NHL Draft, they chose Radek Faksa, a.k.a. The Gift That Keeps On Giving. Joshua Friemel examines other recent drafts to ask whether the Stars could have another lucky number on their hands.

Mark Stepneski shares the good news that Julius Honka and Miro Heiskanen will begin their summer as World Championship teammates.

Mattias Janmark will play for Sweden, and Mark brings some clarification on his contract status with the Stars:

Alas, says Sean Shapiro, Valeri Nichushkin will rest an injury rather than play for Russia:

Speaking of Sean, he’s taking questions for his next Stars mailbag. Here’s your chance.

Around the League(s)

No Central-on-Central violence made the schedule last night, so all the action was on the coasts:

Brayden Point scored four of them (and an infinite number of lame point-and-Point puns, probably) as the Tampa Bay Lightning evened the series with the Bruins in a 4-2 win.

The ever-dangerous Tyler Johnson scored one of the prettier goals of the game off this sparkling Point assist:

The Vegas Golden Knights took back the series lead in a 4-3 overtime thriller against the San Jose Sharks. William Karlsson came through with the headline heroics, yet again.

It was also a pretty good game to be Marc-Andre Fleury. The Flower made 39 saves, including this one in extra minutes:

Sometimes, #grit wins. Jared Clinton identifies five character guys, from Jake DeBrusk to Brandon Tanev, who have found an extra gear in the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Chaos seems to have broken out in the Carolina Hurricanes front office. GM Ron Francis has been relieved of all duties, and Joe Nieuwendyk has resigned as advisor and pro scout.

Lou Lamoriello will not return as Toronto Maple Leafs GM next season. His contract allows him to transition into a senior advisor role.

If you have a sub to The Athletic, hop over and check out the top 10 draft picks as chosen by their best brains.

Aaaaaand I’ll just leave this here.

Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park: Second Round Edition

The Texas Stars roll into their Round Two matchup with the Tucson Roadrunners (Arizona Coyotes) on Wednesday, May 2. Austin Metro, are you ready to rock?

The T-Stars will have additional help on the blueline during their playoffs run. Prospect D-man John Nyberg comes over from Frölunda on an amateur tryout agreement.

The Boise Bandwagon: And The Band Played On

It’s déjà vu all over again as the Idaho Steelheads drop two in a row to the Colorado Eagles (Colorado Avalanche). Last night’s loss was a 6-2 shellacking with both Steelhead goals scored by RW Max French.

Philippe Desrosiers made 35 saves during Saturday’s 1-0 shutout.

Finally

In the year of Scott Foster, the emergency backup goalie has stepped up to become the folk hero we need. Meet Austin musician and former minor-leaguer Rick Plester, who stands at the ready for the Texas Stars. Enjoy.

Talking Points