Monday Links: The Case For Ryan Suter

The front office is betting that the defender can stay viable as he nears 40. Plus, the Stars’ weekend signings, tracking the preseason rankings, and more

Ryan Suter and Joe Pavelski have known each other since they were children. The two Wisconsin natives played in the same preteen tournaments and followed similar paths to long and still fruitful NHL careers.

And when Captain America recommends that you join his team, you probably listen. The Dallas Morning News’ Matthew DeFranks writes about the role Pavs played in the deal that brought Suter to Big D:

Of course, Suter spoke with Pavelski about the Stars. They talked about the makeup of the dressing room. Pavelski extolled the virtues of the team’s youth hockey program, which was a big selling point when Pavelski arrived two summers ago.

“When a guy like him is telling you that all the guys on the team are talking to him saying ‘Hey, you’ve got to get him to sign here,’ that makes you feel great, that makes you feel welcome,” Suter said.

The Stars have made a four-year bet that Suter’s ability to think the game and his commitment to physical fitness will make him one of an elite handful of NHL defenders who stayed productive into their early 40s. DeFranks has stats that suggest it’s not an unreasonable gamble – but it’s a gamble all the same:

Suter does have a penchant for avoiding hits. Across the last three seasons, Suter ranked fourth in the NHL in total ice time. He ranked 596th in hits taken. In the same span, Esa Lindell was eighth in total ice time and Heiskanen was ninth. They ranked 30th and 27th, respectively, in hits taken.

Still, that doesn’t guarantee that Suter will be effective with Dallas as the contract ages. In the league’s history, only seven defensemen 39 or older have played 1,500 minutes in a season. Five of them are in the Hall of Fame, and one is Zdeno Chara. That’s the bet the Stars made.

Matt has more. [SportsDayDFW]

And just in case you wanted to actually see Pavs and Ryan at the Bob Suter Memorial Classic, the Stars have photos.

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Stars Stuff

The front office stayed busy over the weekend by re-signing key Texas Stars players who could see time in Dallas. Colton Point is returning to the net…

…and Ben Gleason will continue to shore up the blueline.

Forward Nick Caamano, who played four games with Dallas during the Stars’ 2020 Stanley Cup run, rounds out the set.

They did save some tasks for the actual work week. Matt DeFranks lists them here.

Around The Leagues

The preseason line is in on the #MurderDeathKill Division. Agree/disagree? How strongly?

Meanwhile, the Seattle Kraken haven’t even played a game yet and they’re already in trouble with the league.

Marc-André Fleury has said no to retirement and yes to the Chicago Blackhawks.

The NHL is investigating allegations that the San Jose Sharks’ Evander Kane gambled on NHL games, because not investigating might cost them money while sex crimes will only cost them money if they do investigate.

On a more wholesome note, former Star (and current Kraken) Jamie Oleksiak is taking a spot of summer vacation, and possibly a beating from his more famous sister.

Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park

If you’re lost without a scorecard during free agency, Stephen Meserve is keeping track of the former Texas Stars who are on the move.

Finally

It’s about time someone turned The Many Faces Of Tyler Seguin into a meme template. Well done, Stars. Well done.