Dallas Stars Interviews: Jim Nill, Patrick Sharp Media Day

With the regular season just 20 days away from starting, the pressure is starting to build for the Dallas Stars. After a disappointing season followed by a triumphant offseason, there is reason to believe the Stars are in store for a special season ahead. But nothing is for sure yet.

The Dallas Stars hosted their annual media day Thursday morning before departing for training camp in Cedar Park. This was a time for the Stars media team to film shots of players that they can use during the season whether it be for commercials, advertisements during the game, or in-game announcements. It was also a chance for the media to speak with players and staff from the Stars.

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Here is coverage from interviews with GM Jim Nill and new Stars forward Patrick Sharp:

Jim Nill:

How he views going into his third year and if there is any pressure:

I’m not worried about pressure. We’ve got some of the best players in the world and the NHL and our job is to win, so we’re looking forward to it. We think we got a good thing going here and we have been patient with our young kids and they’re coming along. We’ve been fortunate enough to make some good trades and sign some good free agents. We’re excited about the year. Our expectations are high and they should be. It’s all about going to business.

How far along he is in building and if he is close to where he wants to be:

There’s a process. You can’t come in and get a job and expect things to happen overnight. This is the best hockey league in the world and there are 29 other teams trying to win as well. You’re not going to find a number one defenseman or a number one center-man overnight. There’s a process that has to happen, but I think we’re right on pace with where we want to be. The maturing of our young kids is a big part of it, and that is just taking some time. We were fortunate enough to make some trades because we had cap space. Our management team did a good job of managing our cap room and we had assets. We think we’re in a good spot. We’re in the toughest division in the league which is good because that’s what makes you better. We’re looking forward to it.

Where the team needs to improve statistically:

There’s two or three things. First of all, we know we have to play better defensively and we showed that. From December 13th on, we had one of the best records in the league but we had dug ourselves a hole. We have to play better two-way hockey, which we know. We have to have a better start because we dug a hole for ourselves last year. Play better defensively and our division record is important. We’re in the toughest division and we need our record to be better. We also have to play better at home. Last season, our home record dug the hole for us. Once we got our head above water, we were okay. Those are the three or factors where we have to be better.

How he likes the goaltending with Niemi and Lehtonen:

I think we’re sitting very well and I’m excited. We’ve got two number one goalies. If there’s an injury or one of them is struggling, we’ve got time to get it corrected. We know when we go into a back-to-back situation, we have a fresh goalie that will be able to come in and win a game for us. I’m excited. We’ve had some good talks with both goalies and they’re excited. Kari [Lehtonen] went into a lot of games last year knowing he had to play even though he was tired, hurt, or whatever. He knows now that he has a comfort level.

If he’s worried at all about two longtime starters now sharing time:

I’m not worried about that at all. I’ve talked to both of them and in the end they’re just like the rest of us: they want to win. Guys at this level are competitive and in the end when you win, things work out well.

On the team’s current health status:

Jamie [Benn] and Ales [Hemsky] we’re going to just play it day by day with. They’re right on pace where they should be. They’ll probably practice but not scrimmage early on, but we’ll play that by ear. We’re going to go each day of training camp with how they feel and be smart about it. But exhibition game wise, we’re going to take it easy with them. There’s no need to rush there. If they can get in one or two of the last exhibition games, I think that’s enough for them. We’re going to be smart with that.

As we know, Brett Ritchie is out. He will probably be out until December. It was a wrist injury that was operated on and it will be taken care of. It just has to heal now.

With Travis Moen, we are looking at his knee. He might have to get an injection in that and miss some of camp but he should be okay.

How he likes the battles for spots coming up:

What you just mentioned is what excites me the most. Our depth has never been better. That gives way to two things. First off, competition is healthy. We all want to win, and the best players are going to play. Secondly, there is going to be injuries. We already lost Brett Ritchie and that is an opportunity for someone else. We just came back from Traverse City and our prospects played really well. They played hard and we had as much depth and skill as any team there. I’m excited about where our organization sits right now. We’re in a good spot.

Why he didn’t get a veteran forward to replace Ritchie while he is out:

I think we’re sitting in a good spot. We’ve got a lot of good veteran presence on the team and our kids are knocking on the door. They’re ready. We’ve got guys who are ready to grab it. Like I said, we have as much depth as any team in the league right now. What excites me is they are all big kids who can skate and handle the puck well. We’re in a good spot right now.

How he views the defensive situation with eight guys on the roster and four prospects ready:

It’s a good spot to be in. We’re excited about our back end. We talked about it earlier in the conversation about how we had to have patience here over the past two years, and that’s a part of it. We know we’ve got some good, young kids coming. We were just in Traverse City and the four kids there are knocking on the door. They played very well. We’ve also got eight NHL guys up here. It’s going to be great competition and I know there is going to be injuries. I hope there isn’t, but we’re prepared for that and the competition is going to make us a better team.

Patrick Sharp:

What he’s learned over the past month or so by talking to people:

A little bit more. I’m feeling more settled in as we move along and I’ve talked to a lot of people who either play here currently or spent a lot of time in Dallas over their careers. I’ve yet to hear a negative word about the city or the organization. I’m quite excited to be here. The Stars organization has welcomed me with opening arms. My wife has gotten settled and the kids are in school. In the locker room, you can tell there is a great team chemistry in that room and the players care for each other. There is definitely something to build on.

On if he sees the hunger to win from the players and if he can help them with it:

I hope so. Looking from the outside in with the Stars, they’re a tough team to play against and are very dangerous in a lot of areas. I’ve got experience playing for Lindy [Ruff] with Team Canada so I know they’re well-coached. They’ve got some stars on the team as well. All of the pieces seem to be in place, and wherever I can fit in to help the team I’m willing to do that.

How to lower the goals against total from last year:

A lot of different ways. Every successful team that I’ve been on, we’ve had low goals against. A lot of the fingers get pointed at the goaltending for that step, but really it’s the team defense and the five guys giving up quality chances in front of a goaltender that hurts that number. We’re not putting it on any one player, two player, or five players. It’s a group effort to try and get that stat a little bit higher. But at the end of the day, you want to win games. If we’re going to win the game by scoring goals, let’s score some goals.

If they have a lead, do they have to be able to change the way they play in the third period:

I think that’s kind of the misconception. Teams play a certain way, and that’s the way they’re going to play for 82 games in the third period. I think you have to be able to adjust the style of play. You’re going to run into teams that play physical and you have to be able to dish it out as well. You have to be able to protect leads and be able to play from behind. That’s all part and parcel of becoming a winning team. I think the Stars players here right now have certainly proved in the past that they are capable of playing a lot of different ways. I know playing against the Stars it’s always a tough game physically. It’s a fast-paced game and dangerous in a lot of ways. It’s a process, and today is day one. We’ll try to get better every week and every month and hopefully peak at the right time.

What he is most looking forward to in regards to his first training camp with the Stars:

Everything. Everything is new. I feel like a rookie again and that’s a good thing. Sometimes you’re in the same place for a number of years and you get comfortable and complacent and things get repetitive. But it’s great to meet new faces and be in Texas. I haven’t spent any time except for playing the Stars in Texas. Going down to Austin is going to be fun. Learning our team’s system and all that stuff. Everything is new and I’m looking forward to it.

If this team feels like it’s on the rise:

Definitely. I could tell you just by playing against the Stars that Dallas is always a team that you looked at in the standings to see where they are. They look like they have a bright future. Just being here for a week or so, it’s a great feeling in the locker room and some great players on the ice. We’re looking forward to putting it all together.

We’ll have coverage of Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin’s interviews up later today. Stay tuned.

But the Dallas Stars officially open up training camp today and will be looking to get started on a high note. Continue to check back to Blackout Dallas for more information as the weekend progresses.

Next: Three Things To Watch For In Dallas Stars Training Camp

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