Comments / New

Dallas Stars Daily Links: The Future of the Texas Stars’ Players

Posted on by Tyler Mair

A new Calder Cup Champion will be crowned in the AHL tonight, whether it’s the Texas Stars or the Toronto Marlies. A championship for Texas would be huge for the team and the Dallas Stars organization, but the team’s deep run has already begged the question: when are we going to see these guys playing in the NHL?

Luckily, Sean Shapiro has fans covered. Headlining his list in the “Buy the Jersey” category is the teams’ second top Finnish prospect, Roope Hintz:

Hintz’ first North American season was a success and the playoffs have further risen his profile, potentially launching him into a spot where he could win an NHL job in training camp. After Miro Heiskanen the Finnish forward is the Stars top prospect and is one of the few play-making forwards in the system that projects as a realistic long-term top-six option in the future.

Just because a player might be playing in the NHL next season, however, doesn’t necessarily mean it will be for Dallas. One such example is Texas Stars captain Curtis McKenzie:

McKenzie has made the most of a frustrating season, he thought he’d spend the whole season in the NHL and thought with his style of play he’d be a player that Ken Hitchcock would keep around. Instead he was nothing more than an occasional injury call-up and a 4A player in the AHL. The Stars would like to have McKenzie back for organizational depth, but his best chance of playing in the NHL next season is going to come with another organization.

You can read more about each player’s chance to crack the NHL roster in Shapiro’s piece here.

If the Stars win the Calder Cup tonight, remind yourself that it wouldn’t have been possible without Mike McKenna:

If Milan Lucic is being shopped around by the Edmonton Oilers, should the Dallas Stars consider buying? Josh Lile investigates: [SportsDay DFW]

Good news for all of you who aren’t a big Derek Laxdal fan:

The Dallas Stars preseason has been announced, so go out there and start buying your tickets!

Could the Stars trade up and land Brady Tkachuk in the Draft? Probably not, but it’s an interesting idea. [Sportsday DFW]

Around the League

Thanks to Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s reported extension, Washington Capitals defenseman Carlson has yet another thing to be happy about:

Speaking of Carlson, the defender commented that while he would love to stay in Washington, “there’s more to it than that.” [Sportsnet]

Good news for some of the Capitals’ other top players:

Due to the recent allegations from Erik Karlsson’s wife against Mike Hoffman’s girlfriend, the Ottawa Senators are now all but forced to trade at least one of the players. [The Hockey News]

Just because you’re on the trade block doesn’t mean you should be. Here are six players whose teams should hold onto them this summer: [NBC Sports]

Finally…

Here’s a powerful piece from former Stanley Cup Champion Nick Boyton, who opened up about depression and life after hockey:

Talking Points