Dallas Stars Begin Trickling Into Town

Dallas Star players began showing up at the Arena as the team prepares to start camp. Players such as Reilly Smith, David Pastrnak, Brayden Schenn all showing up in incredible shape, and if early on ice sessions mean anything, having spent the off-season working hard on ice. Most players showed up looking incredible, with the exception of Goaltender Carey Price. The two time Conn Smythe winner showed up to camp looking out of shape and disinterested. Passing near the small group of reporters, the smell of cheap whisky and shame wafted over the crowd, emanating from the one time world class goaltender. Early indications from those that have seen his on ice workouts are that he’s all around slower, his glove hand seems off, his rebound control is off… Every part of his game seems to have suffered for some reason over the off season.

Rumours abound that Dallas GM McGugan has made his annual big splash already with a deal for the top left winger in the game today – Alex Ovechkin. The cost was steep however with future potential All-Stars Alex DeBrincat, Troy Terry, Nicolas Hague heading to Vancouver, along with cap casualty Mikael Boedker and a 2019 1st round pick. With OV on one line and David Patrnak on another, the Stars will have two extremely dangerous scoring lines going this season, and with Carey Price’s new “FATitude” – scoring lots of goals may be necessary to win games this year.

McGugan tendered offers to most of the team’s restricted free agents, the most interesting of which was a one year bridge deal that will allow the club to maximize their control of Brayden Schenn. With unrestricted free agency having started, the club is expected to be looking for 1-3 top 9 forwards, a backup goaltender, and a top end defenceman. McGugan is expected to be “all-in” along with plenty of other clubs when it comes to the Doughty sweepstakes.