It feels good to be back at the rink.
After a lengthy, but busy, summer for the Dallas Stars it’s been nice to get back to the rink in Frisco this week and watch informal skates. It’s a nice sign that the season is actually right around the corner, and in less than two weeks training camp will start in Cedar Park.
If you’re also looking for a live hockey fix, albeit informal, the rink in Frisco is always open to the public. It’s not a set schedule but players tend to skate around 10:30 and they are planning on skating four to five days per week up until training camp.
On a quick clerical note, all of the September subscriptions at Wrong Side of the Red Line are going to be donated to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Patreon processes monthly subscriptions on the first of each month, and then it typically gets transferred into my account within three or four days. Once that happens I’ll be donating all of the money to a still-to-be-determined charity that deals directly with the recovery effort (I’m still open for suggestions on the charity).
Let’s get started with the mailbag…
Who are the players to watch in Traverse City?
— Zach Frost (@ZWal93) August 30, 2017
The full roster hasn’t been officially announced, but I’m looking forward to watching Roope Hintz and Niklas Hansson in Traverse City.
Both players are playing in the AHL this season, and their performance in Traverse City could be a spring board to a strong campaign with the Texas Stars.
I’m also planning on watching Chris Martenet closely. I’ve been skeptical of him as a prospect and think he could end up in the ECHL this season. However, he could start to change my mind with a strong showing in Traverse City.
I’ll have a bit more of a roster breakdown when it’s announced, maybe even later today.
What's your favorite restaurant in Traverse City?
— Suh dude! (Brian) (@oneaeronut) August 30, 2017
I’m probably not the best person to ask on this topic, because most of my meals during the tournament tend to come from the snack bar at the rink. And that’s not a slight on the snack bar, they actually have a pretty good selection of food.
For breakfast I often end up eating at The Omelette Shoppe. They have two locations in town and good coffee.
Let's talk Hintz projection at the NHL level
— Jake Stepan (@_Napz_) August 30, 2017
Top-six forward that can score, but turns into a bit more of a playmaker at the NHL level.
When he’s at his best Roope Hintz is creating space for his teammates. He’s drawing attention of the opposition, creating chances by moving his feet, and then capitalizing on the open passing lanes to create chances for his linemates.
We saw a good example of that in the Liiga playoffs this past season. After being more of a goal scorer in the regular season Hintz turned into more of a playmaker in the playoffs and led league with 14 points (11 of them assists) in 14 playoff games.
Composure is also a big part of his game. He’s confident with the puck in all situations and he doesn’t panic.
After an informal skate on Thursday I asked Hintz if he considered himself more of a scorer or a playmaker.
“I think it’s half and half,” Hintz said. “Because sometimes I score more than I pass, and sometimes it’s the other ways. I think it depends on who I play with, because that changes how you play.”
Do you think the Stars try to find a spot in the organization for Fidds if he retires or does not sign?
— Rob Strauss (@AzAtlStarsfan) August 31, 2017
Depends on what Vernon Fiddler wants to do. It hasn’t been announced, but I think it’s essentially a foregone conclusion he’s going to retire.
Earlier this week he was acting as a coach at the Stars informal skates in Frisco, and from what I’ve heard he’s looking forward to spending more time coaching his kid’s youth hockey team here in Texas.
If he wants a role with the Stars it would be a great fit. Fiddler has been a great ambassador for the game here in Texas.
https://twitter.com/S_morales77/status/903007226696273920
It’s a fair comparison.
Martin Hanzal and Radek Faksa are big, powerful centers that pay attention to the minor details in their defensive zone. Both can play against the other team’s top line on a consistent basis, and both have a history of making big plays late in games defensively.
Hanzal is the more refined product, obviously, but I think Faksa can learn a lot from his fellow countryman (particularly on face-offs) and has a higher ceiling in the long run because of his offensive talent.
It’s essentially a publicity event for the NHLPA and Upper Deck to have NHL Rookies all in one place for photos, interviews, and autographs.
Denis Gurianov was the Stars representative and said he signed thousands of cards during the two-day event. He said they also took photos for hockey cards, did some video interviews, and scrimmaged during the on-ice sessions.
On a side note, Gurianov’s English continues to improve every time I talk to him. At this point last year he likely wouldn’t have been able to relay all that information about the Rookie Showcase in English.
He was selected because he is one of the Stars top prospects. It’s a promotional event and doesn’t have anything to do with which players will actually make the NHL roster.
Do you think Honka has more talent/upside than Klingberg?
— Drew Cullum (@awcullum) August 31, 2017
Yes, I believe that Julius Honka will eventually be a better player than John Klingberg.
Honka has more natural talent, he’s a better skater, and he has a higher defensive IQ. Klingberg will likely be the better player throughout this season, but Honka will catch him sooner than later.
Do you see Honka more as a PP shooter or passer? Will he carry puck into PP zone?
— Drew Cullum (@awcullum) August 31, 2017
I’m going to go off the board and refer to Honka as a playmaker on the power play. He’s very efficient at cycling possession and finding the open man, while he’s also smart about when and where to shoot the puck.
Honka can carry the puck into the offensive zone on the power play, it’s something he did quite often in the AHL. Whether he does that in the NHL or not depends on how Stu Barnes draws up the power strategy this season.
Stu Barnes will run the power play, Rick Wilson will run the penalty kill, and Curt Fraser will be in charge of “big-picture” elements and game planning.
I’m hoping Dave Strader calls all 82 games, because that would mean he’s feeling healthy enough to do so.
When he’s not available Daryl Reaugh will have the play-by-play and Craig Ludwig will handle color commentary.
Do you think Seguin deserves to wear the "A" this season? Why or why not
— Chad (@ChadTheShepherd) August 31, 2017
You’d like to see him earn that leadership role and take a step forward in that regard.
I would imagine that Jason Spezza and either Marc Methot or Dan Hamhuis will be the alternate captains this coming season.
You can still be a leader without a letter, and Seguin could be primed to have an “A” on his jersey the following season.
Which 2 D-men do you see being moved and what do you think the returns may be, assuming they aren't just waved?
— Zac Gibbons (@zg54362) August 30, 2017
With how things have shaken out, I only see one defenseman being traded and that’s Jamie Oleksiak. Greg Pateryn and Patrik Nemeth have little to no trade value, and I don’t see a realistic scenario where the Stars get anything in return for either player.
Oleksiak could net the Stars a draft pick and maybe a mid-level prospect, but he’s also not going to have the return you’d be hoping for from a former first-round pick.
In the most likely scenario I think we’ll see Oleksiak traded for a conditional draft pick, maybe a fourth-round selection that becomes a third with a certain number of games played. While Nemeth or Pateryn will be waived, and likely clear, opening them up for an AHL assignment.
Of course, they could always carry eight defensemen again…
Who is the best hockey player in the local media?
— Chris Joslin (@ChrisJoslin) August 31, 2017
I could give you a couple scouting reports, but I think we need to schedule a media game at some point this season to get a factual answer to this question.
Dallas was one of the teams interested in Doan. How would he have fit with the current line up without hindering youth development?
— Sam Fung (@scf211) August 30, 2017
I don’t think Shane Doan would have been a good fit in Dallas. He would have been playing a bottom-six role, and that’s a job I want to reserve for younger forwards that are part of the long-term future.
We also don’t know the exact level of interest the Stars had in Doan. It might not have been a contract offer, and rather a training camp PTO to see what Doan had left in the tank.
Will Faksa have a 20+ goal season, is Honka a top 5 Calder trophy finalist, will Brett Ritchie be a key factor in the playoffs like his bro
— ryan salome (@StarsPotter214) August 30, 2017
In my informal predictions I have Radek Faksa with 18 goals this season, so 20 isn’t too far-fetched.
Yes, I think Julius Honka will be a Calder Trophy candidate this season. I don’t think he’ll win it, but I think he’ll be in the conversation.
I’ve seen Brett Ritchie contribute in the playoffs before, and he does have a big of that big-game mentality. Ritchie only played 13 games in the 2014 AHL Playoffs when the Texas Stars won the Calder Cup, but he still managed to have 11 points and made an immediate impact on the Western Conference Final and the Calder Cup Final.
Wouldn’t change the goal song. Think the connection to Pantera and the glory days of the franchise is a really nice touch.
Opening night 20?
— Paul Bradburn (@Paulbradb) August 31, 2017
I’m assuming this means the 20 players active on opening night, if that’s the case this is my projection right now:
Benn-Seguin-Radulov
Janmark-Hanzal-Spezza
Roussel-Faksa-Ritchie
Cracknell-Shore-Pitlick
Methot-Klingberg
Lindell-Johns
Hamhuis-Honka
Bishop
Lethonen
It’s uncreative, but I think the “Triple R” line would work using the initials for all three players (Roussel, Radek, Ritchie).
after rats fell from the roof of the Chipotle in West End, I need a new pre-game good luck meal. Any suggestions for downtown Dallas eatin'?
— Tom Dorsa (@TomDorsa) August 31, 2017
My pregame meal consists of the media meal and chicken fingers in the press box, so I don’t have the best recommendations for eating around American Airlines Center.
There is an El Fenix within walking distance of the arena and I’ve yet hear any stories about rats falling from the roof.
Anyone can be traded, but I have a hard time seeing a scenario where Jason Spezza would get moved.
He has a big cap hit at $7.5 million per season, and there aren’t many teams that have that type of space available under the cap. Spezza’s durability and numbers also appear to be on the decline, so the financial investment wouldn’t be worth it for another team.
Since we're all hoping the Stars are buyers at the Deadline, who would they target? And who would be the guys shipped out to make a deal?
— Justin McDowell (@J_mac__19) August 31, 2017
It’s hard to guess who will be available because we don’t know which other teams will still be in or out of the playoff hunt.
We also don’t know if the Stars would actively be shopping. Sometimes the best deals are the ones you decide not to make.
If the Stars are looking for an upgrade it would likely be at forward. Around the trade deadline Dallas could be looking for a scoring boost in their bottom-six forwards and trade picks or prospects for a rental.
He’ll have a bounce back year in Vegas, but I don’t think it’ll be a career year.
I’m sure we’ll all have a much better answer in two weeks when training camp begins in Cedar Park.
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