Dallas Stars fans are already excited about the organization’s post-season moves, but how did they do compared to other teams? Josh Cooper of ESPN picks the winners of NHL Unrestricted Free Agency 2017, and you may not be surprised that Victory Green factors large in his assessment:
By signing two-way center Martin Hanzal to a three-year, $14.25 million contract, the Stars essentially finished off their summer checklist of improvements to become a better all-around team. Dallas also added a starting goaltender in Ben Bishop and a veteran defenseman in Marc Methot, whom they acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights. They all join returning coach Ken Hitchcock, who led the Stars to their Stanley Cup win in 1999.
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“Aggressive approach this offseason,” a current Eastern Conference executive said of the Stars via text. “Should be an energized team, new coach new players, especially new goalie. Expect them to be good. Coach prepares his team very well and hasn’t worn anyone out yet.”
Where there are winners, there are also, shall we say, not-winners – and one of the biggest was this year’s UFA class as a whole, which saw a measurable decline in term offered compared to past years:
Through the first weekend, [Alexander] Radulov’s deal and the five-year contract the Montreal Canadiens gave defenseman Karl Alzner were the longest given to unrestricted free agents.
The dearth of deals was the result of a so-so crop of UFAs, many teams locking up their core players before they hit the open market and a minimally increasing salary cap.
There’s more to read at The Worldwide Leader. [ESPN]
Will another god-mode offseason turn into insurance for Nill’s own job? Lewis Williams grades this summer’s moves so far. [Slant Sports]
Prospect Development Camp begins today with off-ice activities (and a probable meeting with Captain Jamie Benn, who’s already in North Texas and working out). Here’s what the organization hopes to see from the 34 players taking part.
Stars hope rookies – like Heiskanen, Oettinger – accomplish these three things at development camp. | @MikeHeika https://t.co/m9tgm7eYn4
— SportsDay Stars (@dmn_stars) July 7, 2017
Mike Heika’s taking questions for his Monday chat. Ask away here. [SportsDayDFW]
Brett Ritchie is celebrating his birthday week with his new contract (two years and $3.5 million).
Excited to be back with the @DallasStars for 2 more years! Can’t wait to get it goinnn! #SaddleUp #JustGettingStarted
— Brett Ritchie (@britch20) July 7, 2017
Adam Cracknell puts it all in perspective.
Congrats buddy. That’s a lot of ribs at Moxies.
— Adam Cracknell (@ACracknell27) July 7, 2017
In a show of cross-sports solidarity, the Stars have taken up the #ElectElvis cause to send the Texas Rangers’ Elvis Andrus to the 2017 MLB All-Star Game.
Get this man to Miami for the MLB All-Star Game! A RT is a vote for Elvis Andrus! #ElectElvis pic.twitter.com/UMn3TPxAMc
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 6, 2017
And if you look, you can find respect for Sergei Zubov absolutely everywhere.
I see American Sports jersey’s in Ethiopia. Usually Kobe or LeBron. Today I saw my first @NHL sweater. Former @DallasStars D Sergei Zubov pic.twitter.com/xtApo05ejD
— John Williams ✭ (@john9williams) July 6, 2017
Around the league
Alex Galchenyuk is officially staying with the Montreal Canadiens: The Habs made good on the promise to keep him in Québec to the tune of three years and $4.9 million AAV.
BREAKING: @CanadiensMTL have signed restricted free agent Alex Galchenyuk to 3-year deal. https://t.co/btLgr6AJhf #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/UAgEFFzsKx
— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) July 5, 2017
So Happy for You Fam!! @AGally94 ⚡️⚡️⚡️ #Habs
— nikita scherbak (@nikscherbak) July 5, 2017
His new teammate, Ales Hemsky, could be one of the best values in the 2017 UFA class, says Jared Clinton. [The Hockey News]
Jared has also made a list of the RFAs to watch in arbitration, and it includes #MurderDeathKill Division standouts Mikael Granlund, Nino Niederreiter, Viktor Arvidsson and Colton Parayko. [THN]
The Toronto Maple Leafs have too many forwards. What should they do about it? Luke Fox takes stock. [Sportsnet]
Also at Sportsnet: Luke takes a look at the top UFAs still available, from Jussi Jokinen to Jaromir Jagr. [Sportsnet]
Now that Connor McDavid has made his mega-deal, expect Auston Matthews to get one of his own, says Ken Campbell.
Now that the market has been establish, expect Auston Matthews to sign his own eight-year, $100 million contract: https://t.co/rzvD8Fotdb
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) July 7, 2017
Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals appear to be in full meltdown, writes Erik Wollschlager, as “[an] uber-loaded roster has finally burst at the seams.” [FanRag Sports]
Stars fans have known for a while that Trevor Daley is one of the planet’s better people. Here’s how his Pittsburgh Penguins teammates found out. (Cameo appearance: former Star Shawn Horcoff, who played a key role in making Dales a UFA target for the Detroit Red Wings.)
You hear a lot about how popular Trevor Daley is w/teammates. How he handled the 2016 playoffs shows it perfectly: https://t.co/3LySbHSfCr
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) July 6, 2017
Texas Stars news
Defender (and sometimes forward) Matt Mangene will be back for a fourth season in Cedar Park during 2017-18.
Matt Mangene Signs On For Fourth Season in Cedar Park https://t.co/neT2GTORWr #txstars pic.twitter.com/zzVEnhIAl2
— 100 Degree Hockey (@100degreehockey) July 6, 2017
And new teammate Mike McKenna posted a bit of shared history.
Unreal…16 years after playing together for @Jr_Blues we’re teammates again! https://t.co/sLpU0kJaGd
— Mike McKenna (@MikeMcKenna56) July 5, 2017
If you missed Jason Dickinson’s birthday on July 4, the T-Stars have you covered with this sweet video message.
HBD, Dickie, from your Stars family and @MtPlaymore. 🎈🎁🎂🎉 pic.twitter.com/09XcUHrLzR
— Texas Stars (@TexasStars) July 4, 2017
Finally
This week’s Defining Moment – because nothing else matters. Enjoy.
“Deep in the heart of Texas, the Stars are shining!”
This week’s Defining Moment was when we earned our first Stanley Cup title in 1999. pic.twitter.com/dZW4qqpzvD
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 6, 2017