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Tom Roise's avatar

One if your better articles. Culture does breed success.

If we have one of the top 10 forwards in the game. In which I agree. hopefully we will retain his services and enjoy a few more good years and move closer to the cup.

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David Castillo's avatar

Thanks Tom!

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gs's avatar

Right on target regarding the Italian Beef at Waloons. At times I will take half home for the next day! The article was pretty good too! Try Quince and sit outside.

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David Castillo's avatar

I have!

And yea. That sandwich blew me away. Immediately became an instant fave - really anywhere. Is it awful I had no problem finishing it one sitting?

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Todd Ingarfield's avatar

adding my places to hit when I get back up to DFWT

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Johnny Ward's avatar

David, I like your description of culture. I think what goes on in the room with the players is their culture. I think the Stars culture toook a bigger hit when Pavs retired than we expected. Jamie is the Captain but Pavs was the leader. I think the”culture” will be better this year just because the players names and faces have changed. I agree with your core players but how do you not iinclude the 96 million dollar man? I think Harley has to be included if the intentions are to resign him.

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Pat's avatar
Sep 1Edited

My main concern regarding the blue line is the path for Bichsel to play on the Top 4, as I have a feeling that he will demonstrate that quality as early as next season.

But how can he acheive that with Lindell, Miro and Harley in front of him? Both Lindell (for the next 3 seasons) and Miro have no trade clause. And I don't want Harley anywhere else than Dallas.

Unless the coaching staff would play 4 lefties in the the Top 4, something will have to give in the upcoming future.

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David Castillo's avatar

Appreciate it Johnny. It's one of those things that I think we don't have to play coy about but do because it's too comprehensive to really grasp or make sense of.

As for my list, I didn't occur to me to re-do it. So I was only going by the previous list.

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Victor Ravinowich's avatar

Thank you for the Labor Day read, that is all.

Actually, Bichsel and Wyatt are my only untradeables…. I will say, one always has to look at the opportunity as it’s presented. If there’s a chance to get better without massively sacrificing the future, why wouldn’t a GM entertain it?

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David Castillo's avatar

Oh for sure. That's why ultimately I don't consider anyone untouchable. But I do think there is such a thing as an untouchable core, and those three are IMO most essential to it assuming they all reach their ceilings.

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Victor Ravinowich's avatar

I’m here for the core, I just bought a Bichsel jersey and got Wyatt’s stick at the Stars end of season equipment sale. Need those kids to stick around for a bit!!!

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Pat's avatar

Very good piece.

IMHO, it's very difficult to assess the broad culture of any team without having more information on the life of the locker room, how the team is fonctionning when travelling, who hangs out with who, how the leadership group is managing new players and/or the relationship with the coaching staff, etc. Usually, you know about those things years after when said players are retired.

For example, take Dale Weise recent comments on how Giroux and Voracek were not very good leaders when they were playing for the Flyers, and how their behavior affected the culture of "not winning" in Philadelphia.

Speaking for myself, I would be more interested in having more clarity on the hockey identity of that team. Something I am struggling with.

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David Castillo's avatar

This is a really great point.

I often feel this way about Benn. Yea the players all say the right things, but if he doesn't do the right things, then how does that constitute a good leader?

For me, I think culture is as much what's off the ice as on it. So someone like Nill really carries a lot of weight. And that's something that I do consider tangible. Players want to play in Dallas. We've seen in proper surveys, interviews with agents -- hell we even saw a player saying out loud they wanted to come here (Seth Jones). Dallas has the vibe every player seeks. That's worth a lot more points than Benn being a questionable captain.

IMO.

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Finlay Morrison's avatar

Not sure how Bischel at this point in his career got on the not trade-able list . The Dallas stars list of non trade able group would be totally different .

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David Castillo's avatar

It's not meant to be analytical or exhaustive. Nor is it an assessment of the best players. It's just a hunch, about who I would personally protect the most if I only had to pick a small group of players that I would actively hate to trade. I think Bichsel, in his prime, with the right development, has potential to be a really fantastic defender. The added spice of being a total gangster just makes him that much more interesting.

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