Monday Links: Tufte Training

Riley Tufte has has a slower development path than most, but the 2016 first rounder is making strides. Plus, the top Calder Trophy candidates for this year, the latest signings around the league, and more.

Riley Tufte has been a divisive prospect among Dallas Stars fans for quite some time. There’s no question that it’s disappointing the 2016 1st round draft pick hasn’t cracked the NHL lineup yet, but does that mean it’s never going to happen?

Tufte is well aware of the criticism he receives on social media, but he’s not letting that deter him as he continue to works toward his dream:

“Getting drafted as a bigger guy, it takes a little bit longer, especially for me,” Tufte said. “I knew that. You try to take it one day at a time. Looking back at my last two years in coming out of college, I’ve taken some big steps. It might not say it on the scoresheet but I have taken some big steps. I think a lot of people don’t realize that. I have a lot of confidence right now and I don’t think people should be doubting me.”

Tufte has at least started off on the right foot, scoring two goals in the Stars’ first game of the Traverse City Prospect Tournament. The solid performance reflects at least in part on his offseason training with Harvey Martin, who worked with Tufte on being more in tune with his own body:

“When you look at a guy like Riley, you’re trying to play the long term. You’re not trying to get everything out in one offseason, which is largely what I find younger athletes try to do. You try to do everything in the first summer. This year specifically, with Riley, we tried to do a full mind, body, spirit connection — a full total body training system — that could be sustainable.”

You can read more from Saad Yousuf here.

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Stars Stories

Speaking of prospects, here’s a check-in on Texas Stars head coach Neil Graham, the man in charge of the said players:

And here’s a deep dive on one of the Stars’ lesser known prospects — 2021 6th rounder Francesco Arcuri:

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League Links

More from Wheeler — Thomas Harley gets an honorable mention as a top Calder Trophy candidates for this season:

Jack Eichel watch continues as the Buffalo Sabres’ captain reports for his physical:

Twenty years later, Zdeno Chara is back with the New York Islanders, the team that drafted him:

Nolan Patrick has signed his new deal with the Vegas Golden Knights after being traded to the club this offseason:

Finally, count Sebastian Aho as a fan of the obvious “trolling” from the Carolina Hurricanes to the Montreal Canadiens: