Hey again, DBDers! Let’s start our day with more from the Stars’ 32 in 32 roundup.
The Dallas Stars have gotten their time in the summer spotlight at NHL.com, and as always, there’s plenty to think about. Today, let’s take a look at the “are you for real?” part of the program: the 3 Questions post, in which a professional skeptic tries to separate the hits from the hype.
Tracey Myers moves from the Inside Look to this portion of the Stars’ 32 in 32 overview, and she begins by addressing the elephant in the room – Joe Pavelski’s retirement. Captain America’s on-ice proficiency may already exist elsewhere in the lineup, but his off-ice impact is hard to fully quantify:
Replacing Pavelski’s presence in the room will be tougher. When the Stars were eliminated in the Western Conference Final last season, several players, including [Tyler] Seguin and Wyatt Johnston, who lived with Pavelski and his family the past two seasons, got emotional. Captain Jamie Benn is always a go-to voice, as are Matt Duchene and Seguin, but Pavelski will certainly be missed.
Meanwhile, have the Stars quietly rebuilt the stout defense that for years was their calling card? Myers examines the additions and subtractions, and she seems to like what she sees:
What the Stars … added was depth. As the playoffs began last season, the Stars were basically playing with five defensemen. [Jani] Hakanpää had been out since March with a lower-body injury, and Nils Lundkvist was playing minimal minutes. With the free agent additions, as well as prospect Lian Bichsel and veteran Alexander Petrovic in the system, the Stars aren’t as thin anymore.
There’s more at the big site – including some reflection on just how high Wyatt’s ceiling might be. Have a look. [NHL]
Stars Stuff
IT’S HAPPENING. The Stars’ single-game presale for 2024-25 is officially on.
Around The Leagues
- As our own Harry Wagstaff says: “Shots fired.” The St. Louis Blues have decided to get aggressive, inking offer sheets with the Edmonton Oilers’ Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. [NHL]
- Elsewhere, the NCAA finds itself embroiled in a class-action lawsuit over a ban on major-junior hockey players that plaintiffs say violates antitrust laws. [ESPN]
Finally
Don’t go there. You’ll turn into a toy. …Nah, seriously, have a good time checking out the responses (and maybe leaving one of your own.)