Since Patrick Sharp landed in Dallas, Lindy Ruff has hinted that he’ll find himself on a line with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. According to TSN’s Travis Yost, keeping Sharp with Seguin—as opposed to putting him with Jason Spezza—makes the most sense for the team.
For the most part, the argument stems from Seguin being the closest player the Stars have to Jonathan Toews, who Yost says is responsible for some of Sharp’s success.
Seguin’s transition from budding superstar to legitimate superstar can be articulated in many ways, and this is one of them. It’s almost impossible to find a player in this league that can compare to Toews on either end of the ice, but Seguin does it here. Seguin actually generates more shots than Toews does from the ‘High Slot’ area, which in and of itself is ridiculous. He compares less favorably from the ‘Slot’ and the ‘Low Slot’ area, but only in comparison to Toews. Otherwise, he’s more or less a wizard at creating opportunities from areas where shooting percentages spike.
On the other hand, he argues, Spezza is great at finding passing lanes, but doesn’t generate as much offense in the areas of the ice where Sharp thrives. Yost sums up his argument:
Sharp’s impressive individual shooting talent can put an awful lot of pressure on opposing defences, but he’ll need the help of his teammates to get into the premier scoring areas of the ice. He benefited greatly from Toews doing the heavy lifting in Chicago, but there’s no reason to believe Seguin can’t shoulder the same burden in Dallas. Ruff believes that Sharp will start the season on Seguin’s wing. I believe that is the right call.
For more on Sharp, Spezza, and Seguin, head over to TSN. [TSN]
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After missing nearly all of last season, Valeri Nichushkin is glad to be back, saying:
“Everything feels so good now. I don’t feel pain anymore. It is great, and it makes me happy,” Nichushkin said after a recent skate with some of his teammates in Frisco. “I don’t think about [last season] anymore. I just forget about it and focus on the new season.”
There’s more from Val, including a bit about Denis Gurianov, at the link. [Stars]
The folks at The Hockey News think that Val’s return is going to make an already dangerous offense even scarier for opponents. [THN]
Because it’s been like 10 minutes ages since we’ve had a fresh, productive discussion about Tyler Seguin and his off-ice behavior, former Maple Leafs CEO Richard Peddie was happy to give us something to talk about. Apparently, Seguin has been throwing loud parties in Yorkville. [Toronto Sun]
Devante Smith-Pelly chimed in with his take on the situation.
Don’t be so…….peddie https://t.co/47wNQfJkQu
— Devante Smith-Pelly (@smithpelly23) September 1, 2015
In case you missed yesterday’s post, the Stars announced their roster for the 2015 Traverse City Prospect Tournament. [Stars]
There are player profiles galore over at the Dallas Morning News. First, read even more about Nichushkin and his chances for a breakout season. Then, catch up on how Jason Spezza is poised to play a big role in the Stars’ success. [DMN]
Jamie Benn made an appearance on this roundup of players who excelled at sports besides hockey in their youth. Sorry, Rangers, but you can’t have him. [The Score]
It also looks like Tyler Seguin could have made that list.
Just incase the @dallascowboys need me in Texas this year pic.twitter.com/PiQuACURZZ
— Tyler Seguin (@tseguinofficial) September 2, 2015
The Ticket’s Bob Sturm chatted about the Stars over at The Hockey Writers. [THW]
Also on THW, Tabatha Patterson talks about the on-going competitions between the team’s Finnish contingent. [THW]
Mark Stepneski provided an update on Patrik Nemeth’s jersey number. Last season, he was No. 37, which had previously been worn by Karlis Skrastins.
I’ve been told Patrik Nemeth is expected to wear No.15 this season.
— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) September 1, 2015
Sean McIndoe penned a tribute to legendary Islanders coach Al Arbour, who passed away last week. [Grantland]
At least five teams have shown interest in a Patrick Kane trade, and Mark Lazerus wonders if going that route might be Chicago’s best option. [Chicago Sun-Times]
After an offseason fraught with off-ice issues, the NHL finds itself at a crossroads. [ESPN]
The Kings and Anze Kopitar aren’t seeing eye-to-eye in contract talks. [Sportsnet]
The Hurricanes are hoping that Ray Whitney can bring a little wizardry to their scouting department.
Hurricanes announce they’ve added Ray Whitney as a scout.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) August 31, 2015
From Wayne Gretzky to Don Cherry, the seven people who have made the biggest impact on hockey. [Sports Illustrated]
If you’ve always thought that Tomas Vokoun was underrated, then this is the article is for you. [In Goal Magazine]
Vladimir Putin took to the ice alongside Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin. [Puck Daddy]
Marcel Goc, who split time between the Penguins and the Blues in 2014-15, is headed overseas to play in Germany. [Pro Hockey Talk]
How do players spend their offseason? The National Post and I are glad you asked. [National Post]
And finally, despite his hard-partying ways, Tyler Seguin has reason to smile.
Whether on skates or on a sled, @tseguinofficial is always all smiles. pic.twitter.com/B9dI0E07jS
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) August 31, 2015