Dallas Stars: A Countdown To All 2018-19 Hockey Events
By Josh Clark
The August lull is settling in, and that comes with a bit of a drag for hockey fans. So, on this Sunday morning, let’s look ahead. Here is a countdown to some of the influential Dallas Stars events coming in the 2018-19 season.
It’s August 5, 2018 and there’s no Dallas Stars hockey (or any hockey, for that matter) being played. For many people, that’s a troubling thought.
But that’s what August does to NHL fans as a whole.
As a group, humans are always looking for more. In today’s fast-paced society, there always seems to be a void that must be filled. And once you fill the void, another hole appears and you are once again in the search for something to compensate.
And when there’s no hockey action or news to follow, the urge can become overwhelming. That urge always seems to hit a peak in August.
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From October to April, the regular season fills the hearts and minds of hockey fans with joy, elation, anger, frustration, and many other common emotions. As April turns into May and then early June, the Stanley Cup Playoffs keep hockey fans busy and glued to their TVs, regardless of if their team is even included in the mix.
Following the Cup being hoisted, the NHL releases the regular season schedule. Following that, the NHL Entry Draft takes center stage. And finally, the majority of the month of July is consumed by the free agency frenzy, big-time trades, and development camps. Hockey fans practically don’t have a chance to blink for 10 straight months.
But then August rolls around, and the hockey world slams on its brakes. It’s almost eerie how quiet things get in the month of August. Things get especially quiet around the Dallas Stars’ organization.
Besides Gemel Smith‘s arbitration case being settled and some prospects to watch in the World Junior Summer Showcase, what else might come out of the month for the Stars? Anything?
As a result, the void becomes a lot more difficult to fill. Instead of seeing if Tyler Seguin will up his point streak to eight games or if John Tavares will sign with the Stars, you’re left amusing yourself with what Radek Faksa is doing on vacation or what Alexander Radulov is doing with his Monster Energy endorsement.
Sure, reading predictions can be fun and can be wise tools of advice in helping you get your mind right for the season ahead. But those typically aren’t of good use until the beginning of September as training camp rolls around.
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By the way, how far away is training camp? What about opening night? And how much longer until you can party hard on New Year’s Eve?
Considering it’s Sunday, I thought it would be a good time to remind everyone about just how far each important date on the Dallas Stars’ calendar is away from today. I’ll return with analysis and other Stars coverage throughout the week. But for today, let’s have a little fun and take a look at the many different countdowns from today, August 5, 2018:
33 days until the Traverse City Prospect Tournament (where some of the Stars’ top prospects will compete)
40 days until 2018 Training Camp begins in Boise, Idaho
44 days until the Stars’ first preseason game (vs. St. Louis at the American Airlines Center)
56 days until the Stars’ last preseason game (vs. Colorado at the American Airlines Center)
60 days until Opening Night at home against the Arizona Coyotes
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75 days until Greg Pateryn returns to Dallas for the first time with the Minnesota Wild
97 days until Dan Hamhuis returns to Dallas with the Nashville Predators
110 days until the traditional Black Friday game, with the Ottawa Senators serving as the opponent this year
118 days until the Stars face off against Antoine Roussel for the first time (in Vancouver)
137 days until the Chicago Blackhawks visit Dallas for the first time in the 2018-19 season (just because it’s the Blackhawks)
148 days until the AAC is rocking on New Year’s Eve with a showdown between the Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens
152 days until the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals visit the AAC
222 days until the defending Western Conference champion Vegas Golden Knights visit the AAC
224 days until Antoine Roussel makes his first visit back to Dallas
244 days until the Stars wrap up their regular season at home against Minnesota
248ish days until the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin
330 days until the 2019 Free Agency Frenzy starts (though Tyler Seguin won’t be a part of it, right?)
As you can see, there are plenty of dates to mark on your calendar and begin counting down. And while these final numbers may seem like they are a long ways away, they’ll probably be here before you know it.
Next. Updated Look At Stars' Cap Space Going Into 2018-19 Season. dark
The dog days of the NHL offseason are finally here and settling in. But this countdown not only gives hope, but also reminds you that hockey is just around the corner.
The Dallas Stars will be back in action in a little over a month’s time.