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Aaron Knodell's avatar

I really like "The Fix In These Stars," I hope you stick with it.

All the speculation about Benn is overblown, in my opinion. I would be pretty surprised if Benn is not on the team on opening night, given everything he, Nill, and Gaglardi have said up to this point. I think he and Nill will wait until Nill finishes filling out the rest of the roster, and then Benn will sign a one year deal with easily attainable bonuses to roll to next year's cap. And then they'll keep doing that as long as Benn still wants to/can play. He definitely wants another run, definitely wants to get to 400 goals, and unlike Suter, he seems perfectly willing to take a significantly reduced role.

Outside of what I think would happen, I'd like for them to make it work. It would leave a really bad taste in my mouth to cut ties with Benn now. The end of the Modano era still pisses me off, it would suck to see that happen again. Even a Cup win next season would be bittersweet if it comes at the cost of Benn watching from Vancouver or wherever. Nill can stand to be more ruthless, but if their plans for the defense are, like, Ekblad and insert-random-right-shot-D-here (Jokiharju??), Benn in a depth role just doesn't move the needle much compared to a potential replacement.

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Angela Jones's avatar

Agree with everything here, except with “The Fix in These Stars” 😅

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David Castillo's avatar

Okay so what's your rec? I promise to give you credit. Just not trademark rights.

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Angela Jones's avatar

Don’t challenge me like this, David—I’m MUCH too busy! Use AI like everyone else!! 😉

(But also: is there a “Video Killed the Radio Star” in play, if you’re analyzing tape? Or “When You Wish Upon a Star,” since we’re already slinging cheese? Don’t @ me for these, they’re equally terrible.)

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Aaron Knodell's avatar

It's cheesy, but in the best way!

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David Castillo's avatar

Angela's writing is legit. I kind of lean in her favor here, Aaron.

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Aaron Knodell's avatar

I see I'm in the minority here, I'll take the L for my taste in puns.

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Angela Jones's avatar

But Aaron, I’m lactose intolerant! 🥴

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Andrew S.'s avatar

I'm thinking Benn comes back on a 2 x 2 to play on the 4th line. Hopefully Nill can dump Bush and Dumba bring back Lundkvist bring up Petro and sign someone like Fabbro (I wanted him on waivers earlier) or Ethan Bear for cheap. Maybe even Klinger. If they can bring back Duchene on yet another sweetheart deal that's great. If not Blumel and Hyry can come up. Hryckowian or however you spell it is an option too.

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Shelly C's avatar

I didn't see him this year in the A, but last year Bear looked sloooow and cooked. Not the same player that he was in his analytical darling era.

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Angela Jones's avatar

You know, reading this made me think of Swayman’s comments (and former players corroborating his thoughts) about his experience with arbitration. Obviously Benn isn’t going into arb, but it does speak to how management (and fans…) can think about these players more like assets than people. And what I appreciate about Nill is that he does seem to lean more towards the latter. Whether or not that’s the best mindset to win—debatable.

All that to say, I do think they’ll find a way to keep him.

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Shelly C's avatar

I have been firmly in the camp pushing for Benn's career not ending like Modano's, but Shapiro's column put some serious doubt in my belief. I'm not totally convinced that they need to move on, but his reasoning for why they should at least has me OK with that decision if they do. Your article adds even more credibility to that position.

As for cap space, surely Dumba and Boosh get bought out? I'd be more inclined to give multiple years to Granny than Dutch given the contrast in their abilities to elevate in the playoffs, which makes me sad, but there's no crying in pretend hockey management. And if Petro is good enough for PDB in the playoffs then he's at least good enough to be 7th D in the regular season; let the man collect NHL paychecks this season.

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David Castillo's avatar

I think Nill will find a way to trade both. Dumba should be relatively easy. One more year. Some teams need to get to the floor anyway. Lyubushkin at two years: decent veteran. It'll need a sweetener, but you look at what Dallas did with Faksa, and I think people understate how moveable these contracts actually are.

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Shelly C's avatar

So much the better!

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Bob Hora's avatar

I'm a firm believer that a cup winner is going to need veterans in the locker room, leaders that go beyond what we see in the media in order to help out new players, new arrivals, lead by example, talk softly and carry a big stick, etc. Benn is that guy. Yeah, his skills are diminished with age - I was pleasantly surprised actually to see some of his numbers. Maybe Wyatt is a future captain, but he's not close to doing what Benn does yet outside of the pure scoring stats.

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David Castillo's avatar

Is that to say there can't be another guy? (And as always, thanks for the participation here, and thanks for following me at the other place!)

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Bob Hora's avatar

thx - I guess there is going to have to be another guy at some point! Just not yet...? it is like letting Modano go to another team...

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Matt Raphael's avatar

He shouldnt! Next year I dont want to see him on the 3rd line anymore, so are you gonna pay a 4th liner that much money (he doesnt even play PP nor PK)? Especially looking at the cap situation next year?

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Pat's avatar
Jun 4Edited

I am more on the train of letting Benn go, as well as Duchene, Granlund and of course Dumba/Lyubushkin/Blackwell and Smith.

If Seguin would be open to go, I would certainly try to unload his contract. The Leafs might be interested.

The idea behind this "clean up" would be to free Cap space and also change the leadership group on this team. It's time for the next core to really take over.

Also, that 4th line cannot cost more than 4M$ all together. That alone puts Benn out of Dallas.

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Finlay Morrison's avatar

If the stars resign Benn to a deal anywhere near 4 million per they are not serious about winning . I would let him go , all these years we haven’t won with him as captain . I know this won’t be popular but reality is he’s a 4 th liner now going rate is about 1 million . Need to get Dumba moved and trade Marchment who was awful in the play offs and is overpaid . Duchene for all those saying let him go where do we replace his points ? .

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Johnny Ward's avatar

Next years D men should be Miro, Harley, Lindell, Bichsel, Lundkvist, Petrovic and player to be named. Miro wasn’t 100% in the playoffs, Harley was worn out and Petrovic hadn’t been in the mix. Lundkvist will be back and he will be a offensive puck mover. Bichsel will be much improved and Nill will either sign someone or bring up a 7th D man. As for the forwards I think he will try to keep Duchene and Granlund. I think Marchment will be gone and can be replaced from Cedar Park. At that point I think Benn gets what’s left if he wants to stay. If it’s money he wants then he will leave of his own choosing.

I just don’t understand why the media is all saying teams need to trade for Robertson when nobody in Dallas has said anything about him being traded. We know he wasn’t 100% in the playoffs.

David thanks for having someplace that we can discuss the Stars. You still have the best sub stack going.

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