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Kukla's Korner (Free subscription) | 07/31/2008
from Mike Heika at the Dallas Stars Blog, The Hockey News had salary rankings in their most recent edition, and I was struck by who is makng the most money next season. While the old structure overpaid players who were 30-somethings, the new system seems to overpay players who are younger and who hit free agency at just the right time. The rankings are based solely on salary for next...
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Kukla's Korner (Free subscription) | 07/22/2008
from Mike Heika of the Dallas Stars Blog at the Dallas Morning News, One of the most beloved and yet most controversial figure on the Stars, Mike Modano certainly inspires strong opinions. He recently turned 38, and recently told The Ticket he wants to play both of the remaining years of his contract. That’s quite a switch from not being sure he wanted to play even one more season,...
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Kukla's Korner (Free subscription) | 06/26/2008
from Mike Heika at the Dallas Star Blog at the Dallas Morning News, Les Jackson has confirmed the Stars will have an internal budget next season and will not spend to the cap. My guess is that number is close to $52-$53 million, so it’s not like they are that far off from the cap ($55-56 million). He said Tobias Stephan will be the team’s backup goalie, and that the team expects to allow...
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Kukla's Korner (Free subscription) | 08/15/2008
from Mike Heika at the Dallas Stars Blog, I like Sean Avery’s game. He’s ultra competitive, he has some skills, and he can help a team win in the short-term. My biggest concern is the Stars have tied themeselves to him for the long-term with the four-year, $15.5 million contract they signed this summer.... But here is my concern about Avery _ I believe he has bought into his own hype...
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Kukla's Korner (Free subscription) | 08/13/2008
from Mike Heika a the Dallas Stars Blog, Les Jackson is all about trust and patience, and that strategy will probably be tested to its utmost by Fabian Brunnstrom. The 23-year-old free agent from Sweden has a ton of potential, but he is a late bloomer and nobody is sure whether or not he can turn that potential into NHL scoring.... Barring a disaster, Brunnstrom will make the Stars out...
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Kukla's Korner (Free subscription) | 08/06/2008
from Mike Heika at the Dallas Stars Blog, Sean Avery was in town for his introductory press conference today, and he was resplendent in a madras plaid out that included long shorts, an unstructured jacket and red leather dress shoes with no socks. Avery is an interesting guy. He’s an agitator who can score goals and who loves fashion. He said he already has talked to Marty Turco and Brenden...
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Kukla's Korner (Free subscription) | 07/08/2008
from Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News, Just a little insight into the way Les Jackson operates as a co-general manager. He likes to take his time and talk things out and let things happen at a slow pace. He’s a very patient person. So that helps explain a couple of things. One, they are still talking out the details of coach Dave Tippett’s contract extension and the potential extensions...
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Kukla's Korner (Free subscription) | 07/03/2008
from Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News, Brett Hull sees a little of himself in Sean Avery. No wonder the two got along so swimmingly back in 2002 when Hull and wife Darcy took in the then-rookie forward with the Detroit Red Wings. Avery lived over Hull’s garage for a season, and the two bonded. “It was like Fonzie with Mr. and Mrs. C,” Hull joked.... “I like to push it to the edge,...
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Kukla's Korner (Free subscription) | 07/02/2008
From Mike Heika at the Dallas Morning News blog, After making a few calls, I think Sean Avery would fit pretty good in Dallas. He could scale up and play with Brad Richards or he could play on a checking line with Steve Ott and really stir things up. That said, I think his price tag might be too high for the Stars, and it appears there are more than just a couple of teams in on the discussion....
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Kukla's Korner (Free subscription) | 06/29/2008
from Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News, Jackson said he is seeking a right-handed right wing with scoring ability. However, he added that the team is on a budget and won’t spend to the salary cap of $56.7 million. So they might have only $2 million to $3 million for unrestricted free agents. “We won’t be bidding on any of the big free agents,” Jackson said. Part of the reason for...
