When you watch Valeri Nichushkin barrel down the ice and bull through defensemen, it can be easy to forget that the 20-year-old has just 113 NHL games under his belt. Mike Heika writes about his recent success after being reunited with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn.
Benn, for one, has enjoyed Nichushkin’s return to the top line.
“He’s a great player and brings a different element,” Benn said. “He’s a big body, he can hold onto the puck down low. It’s a different fit. He gets excited to play with us, and we get excited to play with him.”
When Nichushkin was asked what it’s like to play on the Benn-Seguin line, Seguin interjected from a nearby locker stall: “What do you mean, we’re on his line.”
Coach Lindy Ruff also sang the praises of the Russian winger.
“I see his all-around game as being good,” Ruff said. “I see his attention to detail playing defense as good as any young player I’ve been around. Shot lanes, backchecking, attention to where he should be in his own end, he’s as good as any young kid I’ve coached.”
To read more about Val and the progress he’s made this season, you know what to do. [SportsDayDFW]
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There were goals to spare last night in the #MDK.
- The Predators defeated the Blackhawks 5-1, but Patrick Kane’s point streak lived to see another day and now stands at 24 games. [Chicago Sun-Times]
- The Blues fell to the Flyers 4-1. [Fox Sports]
- The Jets beat the Sergei Bobrovsky-less Blue Jackets 4-2. [Arctic Ice Hockey]
- But more importantly, Winnipeg fans did this.
what a joyous experience it is to share this GIF with you guys pic.twitter.com/hxHeT9yh1V
— Stephanie (@myregularface) December 11, 2015
Here’s everything else you need to know about tonight’s 7:30 p.m. game against the Flyers. [Stars Inside Edge]
Lindy Ruff also provided a practice update yesterday.
As it turns out, Jamie Benn really loves Christmas. Like, a lot. [SportsDayDFW]
Over at the Hockey Writers, Jordan Dix debates whether or not the Stars should keep Ales Hemsky around. [The Hockey Writers]
Mark your calendars for Jan. 12, 2016 and get your Casino Night tickets now.
.@DS_Foundation to hold 17th annual Casino Night presented by @ParkPlaceTexas Lexus.https://t.co/Hg3nsxJzKi
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) December 10, 2015
Catch up with Stars prospect Alex Peters, who’s spending this season with the Flint Firebirds (who grabbed a few headlines earlier this year ). [Wrong Side of the Red Line]
Also at WSotRL, Texas Stars beat writer Sean Shapiro answers any and all questions you might have about the guys in Cedar Park. [WSotRL]
Congratulations are in order for the unstoppable Jaromir Jagr.
With a goal in the first, @68Jagr ties Marcel Dionne for 4th in all-time goals (731). #WSHvsFLA pic.twitter.com/CLRL5eDM2Y
— Florida Panthers PR (@FlaPanthersPR) December 11, 2015
Montreal defenseman and dapper dresser P.K. Subban designed his own skates for the upcoming Winter Classic. [The Hockey News]
For better or for worse, parity in the NHL is at an all-time high. [ESPN]
Depending on how you feel about country music—and Nashville in general—the Predators’ announcement of its All-Star Weekend lineup may or may not be good news.
Here’s the lineup for the IntelliCentrics Concert Series at Bridgestone Winter Park! >> https://t.co/lMFh1A0mtX pic.twitter.com/hlDEVcQk5C
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) December 10, 2015
Just how good is Erik Karlsson? CBS Sports’ Adam Gretz compares his game-changing ability to Bobby Orr’s. [CBS Sports]
Evgeny Romasko, the NHL’s first Russian official (ref or linesman), is learning as he goes along. [SI]
As expected, Alexander Semin is saying goodbye to the NHL.
Alexander Semin agreed to terms with Magnitogorsk Metallurg of the #KHL
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) December 10, 2015
There’s nothing quite like pond hockey. [Minnesota Star-Tribune]
And finally, let the dulcet tones of “Let It Go” carry you into the weekend.