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Dallas Stars Daily Links: The Stars’ Youth Movement Spreads Through the D Corps

Posted on by Kathleen Tibbetts

The Dallas Stars‘ youth movement is on the verge of engulfing the blueline. With Alex Goligoski testing free agency, and with Jason Demers, Kris Russell and Jordie Benn possibly following suit, the team appears ready to pour out what they hope will be homebrewed lightning in the defensive zone, says Mark Stepneski in his latest article.

Stepneski writes that Patrik Nemeth and Jamie Oleksiak may be ready to take on starting responsibilities – and let’s be honest, Stephen Johns is never going back to Travis County. Add Cedar Park’s Finn Towers Esa Lindell and Julius Honka, both of whom are knocking ever more insistently at Dallas’ door, and Jim Nill says the big team is ready to think young:

“It’s time for them to start grabbing more of the action,” Nill said. “If nothing happens, we are comfortable going with what we have right now. If there is somebody out there that is a fit for us, great. They’ve got to fit for us as a player and fit for us financially. We’ve got lots of flexibility, and it opens the door for us in other ways.”

The deal that sent Goligoski’s negotiating rights to John Chayka‘s rebuilding Arizona Coyotes returned a fifth-round 2016 draft pick – which gives Nill six in total and two in a round that has produced spectacular returns for the Stars in recent years (Jamie Benn and John Klingberg, we’re looking at you):

“It gives you one more chance at a player. The more opportunities you have, the better chance you have. Could we add some more down the road? We’ll find out,” Nill said. “It’s a funny business. You go to the trade deadline, and you are willing to give up those picks because it gives you a chance to win. Now, when you are closer to the draft you want more picks.”

Read the whole story at the Stars homepage. [Stars Inside Edge]

And now for some guys who know a little bit about a youthquake:

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Speaking of the NHL Draft and the golden round that produced the ineffable Jamie Benn, find out where The Captain ranks among the top active drafted players from each of the league’s 30 teams.

Elsewhere, Mike G. Morreale points to The Benn Example (as well as to Dustin Byfuglien, Brian Elliott, Carl Hagelin and other late-round diamonds) to demonstrate how deep-draft success is vital to a team’s long-term competitiveness. [NHL]

The Stars’ preseason tickets are on sale. Order up and enjoy this false dawn before the annual August of Our Discontent becomes all too now.

You’re gonna miss Gogo. Just admit it.

TVA Sports is reporting that the NHL Players’ Association will invoke the escalator clause to raise the salary cap. [The Hockey News]

The St. Louis Blues continue to shed staff as defensive and penalty-kill coach Brad Shaw heads for the Columbus Blue Jackets. [Columbus Dispatch]

Former Stars (Dallas and Texas) head coach Glen Gulutzan will replace Bob Hartley as head coach of the Calgary Flames. [The Globe and Mail]

For those who only remember Gulutzan’s underwhelming tenure with the bankruptcy-era Dallas Stars, THN’s Matt Larkin posts this reminder about 2016’s Stanley Cup-winning coach.

Pavel Datsyuk is expected to settle the speculation about his future with the Detroit Red Wings today during a media availability at his youth hockey camp. [ESPN]

Meanwhile, Greg Wyshynski wonders if the Winged Wheel will fill that empty Magic Man-shaped space with UFA BMOC Steven Stamkos. [Puck Daddy]

Elsewhere in Wysh, he makes the case for the Pittsburgh Penguins to hang on to what they’ve got in Marc-Andre Fleury. [Puck Daddy]

And elsewhere in Tampa Bay, Jonathan Drouin has officially rescinded his request for a trade and hopes to become a star with the Lightning. [The Hockey News]

The postseason injury list grows longer, as Evgeni Malkin reveals he played the Stanley Cup Finals with an elbow injury that may require surgery. [Pittsburgh Post Gazette]

He wasn’t alone in elbow trouble: Nick Bonino had an infection so severe he was reportedly quarantined in a hotel and given IV antibiotics every day.

Finally: It’s the offseason, and someone at BarDown already misses hockey enough to do a #fancystats analysis on The Mighty Ducks. Spoiler alert – Gordon Bombay better not quit his day job.

Talking Points