On the Dallas Stars …
Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars forward Patrick Sharp is done for the season as he’ll have hip surgery today. The 35-year old is a pending unrestricted free agent. Sharp was asked about what might happen next year.
“I’m not worried about next year at this point,” he said with a smile.
Stars Jim Nill was a little more forthcoming about Sharp’s status for next year.
“We’re going to get the surgery done, let him heal. He’s going to train, and then let’s take a look at him,” Nill said of potentially inking Sharp to a new contract. “We’ve had conversations. If he comes back, he wants to be in Dallas. He thinks he’s a Dallas Star.”
Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: (mailbag) The Stars appear to have lost faith in Antti Niemi and are running Kari Lehtonen to see if he’s worth keeping for next year. isn’t sure this proves they will bring him back. May depend on if they are able to trade for a goalie before the buyout window opens in June. If they acquire a goalie or two, they could buy out both Niemi and Lehtonen. thinks Niemi will be about out for sure.
On the Chicago Blackhawks …
Scott Powers of The Athletic: Source saying the Chicago Blackhawks will be signing 2014 3rd round pick Matheson Iacopelli to an entry-level deal. Iacopelli will leave Western Michigan University after this sophomore season. The 23-year old, 6-foot-3 forward scored 20 goals and added 16 assists in 40 games. Blackhawks assistant GM Norm Maciver.
“It’s really up to the player,” Maciver said. “If they feel like they’re ready to take the next step, then we have to decide if we feel it’s best for them to take the next step. It’s usually in the player’s hands to decide the path they want to go in. If they want to turn pro and we feel they’re physically ready and that’s the best situation for them, and then we go ahead and try to sign them. Usually it’s the player’s choice to whether they come out.”
