At training camp today, I received news that my mother is on a ventilator , essentially on life support and brain dead. She's not going to live much longer. To process the news, I wrote about the complexities of losing a "mother" that never truly was.
Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski says “this is it for me.” Says it’s not official official, but said it was known for a long time that this was his last go. “Plan is not to play next season.”
“Do I want to win a Cup for myself? Absolutely. But I think I want to win it more for other guys in that room. Guys like Jamie Benn and Joe Pavelski and Ryan Suter and Pete, just so many guys that deserve to win because they’re just such great people.”
Matt Duchene to TNT
When Tyler Seguin left the rink on Friday night, DAL appeared headed to COL. They would be in town, so he made plans to go to the Justin Bieber concert here tonight. After seeing media reaction to the NSH game, he turned on the game and found out it’d be CGY instead. “No Bieber.”
Heard NHL Network on XM refer to Jason Robertson as “the brother of Toronto Maple Leaf Nick Robertson.”
Nick Robertson has played in 4 NHL games and scored one point.
Jason Robertson has played in 39 NHL games and scored 30 points.
This frame of reference is backwards.
The way I see it, Joe Pavelski had no reason to think Matt Dumba would line him up for a hit in that position. He'd already let go of the puck, he's in a vulnerable position. Nothing he could do to brace for a hit. Even if contact was shoulder, my question is why the hit at all?
"Honest to God, him scoring that goal in warm-up and people cheering and everything, feels better than any goal I've scored this year. ... When he did the lineup in WSH, that might have been the greatest moment of my life. ... That's stuff he'll never forget, I'll never forget."
"I’ll be honest, you see young kids with arrogance. I had lots of arrogance as a kid," Tyler Seguin said. "I just don’t see it in [Wyatt Johnston]. He has that swag but he’s not an arrogant kid. He’s a guy who you could maybe one day see having a C on his chest."
A 93-year old Slovak fan here in Cedar Park came to meet Marian Studenic today. She told him that he “better play good!” In the gentle scolding way only a grandmother can do.
Tyler Seguin told us a story after morning skate about his dogs and how they handle the road trips he goes on.
He started by calling Gerry “my youngest, like they’re my children.”
Nobody does playoff style better than the Stars' better halves. My interview with Julia (Miro Heiskanen's GF) and Kristina (Roope Hintz's GF) talked to me about that absolute 🔥 playoff jacket in 2022, and how they topped it using actual jerseys in 2023.
On the postgame to TNT,
@Matt9Duchene
said he kind of blacked out after he scored and didn’t remember what he did. Good thing it lives on the internet forever.
Since January 1:
Connor McDavid:
29 pts
25 games
95 pt pace
Jason Robertson
29 pts
25 games
95 pt pace
We really need to talk about Jason Robertson more.
Reaves told Seguin in warmups that he and Lehner planned to kneel. Seguin told his teammates in the locker room he planned to join them, and Dickinson said he wanted to as well. Seguin and Dickinson both firmly said this was something that believe in.
Not a single major outlet in Dallas with a full-time beat reporter on the team likely closest to a championship than the others. The Dallas Stars deserve better, their fans deserve better. That’s why I fought to keep
@DefendingBigD
going after the Vox cut.
I’m still here.
In the City of Valdez, Alaska, with a population of about 4,700 residents, I saw no less than three
@SeattleKraken
hats and shirts this week. The excitement around the 32nd NHL franchise is palpable.
I asked Jake Oettinger if he believes in the President's Trophy curse. He said, "someone has to go out there and win it and then someone has to win the Cup. Why not?" I told him the last time Dallas won the President's Trophy they won the Cup and he said, "there you go!"
Jason Robertson is a man of the people. He stayed after practice to say hello to this youth hockey team from Vancouver, signing pucks and giving away sticks. They put up a very loud “Robertson! Robertson!” chant during a shooting drill that the players tapped their sticks to.
This season felt different. This Dallas Stars team was different. The stories I have of the bond I saw every day in this group feels like telling old family lore.
A little less for a lot more.
It’s not the ending that was expected. The story is unfinished.
The Stars’ anthem statement is just weird considering:
1) Nobody asked them because
2) It’s something happening in a different league and
3) Was wholly unnecessary because they hadn’t stopped playing it to begin with
Just questionable from a PR perspective.
Some light-hearted ribbing in the Stars locker room at practice today.
Reporter: “So Mason, could you have envisioned a better opener than last night?”
Marchment: “No, not really. Not sure anything could have been better.”
Tyler Seguin: “You could have had a hat trick.”
Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill said that the team worked with Joe Pavelski on his new contract directly. Laid out the team’s cap situation and Pavelski was willing to forego base salary to be on a good team he thinks can win. Negotiations started in early December.
Some of the greatest joy I've gotten out of my 10th season covering the Dallas Stars for Defending Big D has been seeing the growth of the players off the ice, like Stephen Johns and Tyler Seguin. We should acknowledge the human side just as much as the on-ice performances.
@BlackGirlHockey
I took the pledge! There is no room for racism in any aspect of our community. Time to
#getuncomfortable
and confront racism and discrimination head on!
The Dallas Stars made sure that goal review ultimately didn’t matter. Matt Duchene, who got healthy doses of boos by Colorado Avalanche fans, ends it in double overtime.
As we're doing post-game media with Logan Stankoven, Tyler Seguin comes in and yells "THE TANK. THE STANK TANK."
Add that to the (growing) list of nicknames for the rookie forward.
This is the toxic side of hockey culture that I hate. These are people with lives to think about beyond the next hockey game. We have to prioritize the person and their physical and mental well-being before anything.
@taylordbaird
About damn time, Im sorry, it’s the friggin Playoffs, I’ve seen video of him practicing… Modano played with a broken wrist, Hintz needs to man TF up…His team needed him
Jim Nill had a moment with the finalists earlier: "We kind of laughed in the back, we didn’t know who had won yet, and we all looked at each other. None of us had a first round pick and none of us won the Stanley Cup. So we can’t be that good of GMs. What are we doing back here?"
When I worked with our designer to re-brand the Defending Big D site, I talked about the Dallas Stars' impact on the sport of hockey in the metroplex. What she came up with is so fucking cool. The shape of Texas with a skate design cut through it representing North Texas.
Riley Tufte, Minnesota native, scoring his first NHL goal against the Minnesota Wild in Minnesota after being a controversial late scratch in Minnesota earlier this season.
Pete DeBoer said Dallas forward Roope Hintz is traveling with the team to Edmonton today. Would expect him to play in one of these two games. Said had last night’s game been a Game 7, he’d likely have been in the lineup.
Me: "So....your haircut-"
Tyler Seguin: "What haircut?" 🙃 "I feel like I’ve been playing great hockey, tons of chances, no reward, no finish. Was getting a haircut and was going a little high and she said, ‘want to keep it going and get a mullet?’ I said, ‘sure why not?’"
Ben Bishop has a lot of amazing thoughts in his press conference today, but this one is a little bit of a gut punch:
"I think there's some satisfaction, but you want to win the Stanley Cup. But I guess I'll have to find a different way to win that now."
Rick Bowness, the person, is going to be sorely missed in Dallas. He was always incredibly accommodating to the media here, even if he didn't give you exactly what you asked for. Always a smile and a handshake for everyone. The players loved playing for him.
Dallas Stars blueliner Miro Heiskanen has to be one of the most low-key humble guys in the league. He's having a breakout postseason, and he's just like "Oh yeah, just try to help my team."
Ben Bishop, whose contract officially expired with the Buffalo Sabres yesterday, is officially a Dallas Stars team employee (Director of Player Development). He's on the ice today with the prospects so he's diving right into his post-retirement career.
Thomas Hodges, the EBUG that played tonight for the Ducks, lost his eyesight in his left eye playing hockey. He took a puck to the head and said it was just a “freak” injury. That was before he decided he wanted to play hockey in college.
As both Scott Wedgewood and Tyler Seguin have said in the last week, if you’re buying a ticket to a Dallas Stars game, might as well be entertained.
League-high 12th comeback win of the season. Matt Duchene has said there is always confidence in this team even when they’re down
Allow me a moment to brag on myself, if you would.
I paid off my student loans today, 5 years early. I've been working so hard to get to this point and it feels so good to be free of this. I am so proud of myself, and even though every late night sucked, it made this possible.
Pete DeBoer is statistically the best Game 7 coach in NHL history, and there isn’t a close 2nd.
He’s 7-0 in the winner-take-all games.
Vegas is well aware. They’ve been victims of it once, and beneficiaries of it twice.
Full story on
@TheAthleticNHL
⤵️
Last night, Stars coach Pete DeBoer alluded that Jake Oettinger played through some injuries this playoffs. Once the team does locker clean-out day, we'll get the full run down of just what was going on with each guy, but could explain how Oettinger looked human this postseason.
Gary Bettman announces that the 2021 Winter Classic will be played in Minnesota. Their fans can find something else to be salty about now, though Dallas still hosted it first. 😘
The Dallas Stars can close out their series against the Colorado Avalanche when they play Game 5 on home ice Wednesday.
The best part is puck drop is at 7 pm local time instead of nearly 9 pm local.
The Dallas Stars are 6-1 on the road this postseason so far. They’re up 2-1 in the series vs the Edmonton Oilers after going down 2-0 after the first period. They lost Game 1.
Low key Dallas loves the drama.
Sandy Pavelski has watched her son play more than 17 seasons in the NHL. Today, she's on her first ever mom's trip to live a day in his life.
"Look out Nashville, right?" Stars coach Pete DeBoer said.
The moms have their dancing shoes on and are ready:
Me to Stars HC Peter DeBoer: "A lot gets made about points lost throughout the season, but how do you look at one like this where you earned one?"
DeBoer: "I love your thinking. Thank you! Good job. Glass half full. You guys [other media] take some notes."
Tyler Seguin calls Logan Stankoven "Stank Tank".
Wyatt Johnston told me there was an animal that Stankoven reminded him of, but he couldn't think of the name.
Quizzically, I said, "Honey Badger?"
Johnston: "Honey badger! That's a great word."
Add it to the list.
Jamie Benn is a quiet guy, and he's not always comfortable in front of the camera and microphones with us in the media. But he cares so deeply about his team. His public persona is nothing compared to his actual personality. A rare glimpse here of who he is.
Honestly surprised Jim Nill went this route given how he generally approaches things. This has to mean that they're going to make a big push to keep Tanev. You don't do this unless you're keeping him IMO. Likely means Lian Bichsel is close to NHL ready.
The Dallas Stars are buying out the remainder of Ryan Suter's contract.
With one year remaining on Suter's deal this move will add $1.4 million on the Stars cap for the next two seasons.
The Stars will save $1.4 million with the buyout.
Instead,
@MDeFranks
called me, picked me up in front of the arena, and drove me to my car - even though he had already left. He didn’t want me to have to walk out alone.
Men, take note: this is it. This is so appreciated, and I’m glad I’m hope nice and safe because of him.
This NHL season might be history-setting in a number of ways given the pandemic and all that, but also consider this: the Dallas Stars will start their season under an entirely new presidency while the rest of the league started in a different one.
Stephen Johns on The Ticket in DFW was asked about the suicide notes he constructed in his head when he was at the lowest points in his recovery.
There was a big silence as Johns contemplated the question, and you could hear the pain as he said he'd rather not answer that.
There may not be many, but there are beat reporters that have been on the Dallas Stars beat all season long. I hope you’re supporting their work throughout the playoffs and recognizing their dedication for the last 8 months.
Pending UFA defenseman Chris Tanev described his injury in the WCF like this:
Blocked a shot and felt a pop when he stepped on ice next shift. Turned out he injured the tendons behind his ankle. Won’t require surgery to fix.
Smiled and said he’d have played another two weeks.
The Dallas Stars slay their dragon, and defeat the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Pete DeBoer is now 8-0 in Game 7s. Joe Pavelski moves to 8-3 in Game 7s.
Hell of a series.
Two players have scored a power play goal and a short handed goal in a game before the age of 21: Wayne Gretzky and Wyatt Johnston, per the ESPN broadcast.
Earlier this season, I spoke with Joe Pavelski’s mom about the mom’s trip. She never had a chance to go on a trip like that in his career.
“Joe’s getting near the end of his career, so I’m glad they did it now versus two years from now or something.”
He made memories in Dallas.
All three players we spoke to tonight — Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn and Wyatt Johnston — got choked up when asked about Joe Pavelski and the impact he’s had on the group.
It’s very possible his NHL career came to an end at Rogers Place tonight.
Scott Wedgewood took a puck between the mask and the pads, on a soft tissue area on his neck with no padding. It was visibly red after the game, he said "It hurts, but whatever. Be a goalie they said."
The Dallas Stars had lost 14 consecutive series down 2-0 before this one. Last time they did that was when they were the Minnesota North Stars in 1968.
Don't have a team in this year's playoffs? I've got you covered. It's my annual bandwagon-hopper's guide to all the teams you could cheer for this spring, and also the Golden Knights.
Seguin, continued: he said from day one that he would follow his words up with actions. Dickinson said that the cause they knelt for was “Black Lives Matter. Equality. Justice.” Said it’s a huge issue that needs to be addressed.
I asked Pete DeBoer about Wyatt Johnston yesterday, as he hadn’t scored in 4 games.
“I think he has a little more freedom offensively when Roope’s in the lineup because that’s the matchup he gets. He doesn’t have to do that defensive heavy lifting that Roope usually does.”
Yes, Tyler Seguin had a great first round playing between Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson. Yes, Joe Pavelski popped off playing on that line with Mason Marchment and Max Domi. Yes, maybe it's time to put Pavelski back with Hintz and Robertson to get Robo going.
Asked Tyler Seguin what it is about Game 1s that Dallas can't seem to win the last two years. "Taylor, if I knew that, I promise we'd probably change it up. I think we've had some Game 1s where we've been feeling it out and laid some eggs, but that wasn't the case tonight."
It's 2024. If your reaction to a player signing with a team is based on the color of their skin, you need to assess your life. Dislike a player for their style, their quality of play, something they've done before, but racist remarks aren't and shouldn't be tolerated.