Dallas Stars: Exit Day Interview With Patrick Eaves
The Dallas Stars held their exit interview day this past Friday in Frisco. Before heading out for the summer, we got a chance to catch up with Patrick Eaves. Catch coverage of the entire interview below.
It’s been six days since the Dallas Stars cleaned out their locker stalls and parted ways for the first time since October when the 2015-2016 regular season began.
This past Friday, the Stars hosted their annual exit interview day. This gives the media one final chance to talk to players, coaches, and general manager before each goes to their own respective offseason dwelling spot.
You can catch some of the bigger names in the organization (Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Jim Nill, etc.) on the Dallas Stars website with video-recorded interviews (there is also a post on Blackout Dallas with all the links stashed inside it. Just click here).
But we decided to get a little more intentional and talk to as many different players as we could in order to gain multiple different perspectives on the season and offseason as a whole, as well as personal outlooks from each different member of the team.
32-year old forward Patrick Eaves completed his second season with the Dallas Stars this year, and his 11th NHL season overall. Though a few injuries kept him from being able to play a complete season, he still contributed a decent amount in the 54 games he played. He scored 11 goals and notched six assists (11-6-17) while floating from line to line. He ended up averaging 12:58 on the ice per game.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs were a particular spot where Eaves thrived for Dallas. In nine games, Eaves tallied three goals and three assists (3-3-6) along with a +3 on-ice rating in 15:16 average ice time.
I got the chance to catch up with him on exit interview day about this past season, the offseason ahead, and his future with the team. You can read the interview below.
His thoughts on the season overall
We definitely improved from the year before. We focused on defensive play this year and it didn’t hurt our goals for either. I thought we got a lot better as a group.
Thoughts on his play
I thought I had a pretty good year. I know I really enjoyed being around the guys and I had a lot of fun. So yeah, it was good.
What is was like going up and down the lineup during the year and playing with different line mates
I liked it. I got to play with different guys. I hope I’m easy for them to play with, haha. But we have such depth at the forward position that you’re always playing with someone really good, so you’re always fine.
How he has enjoyed his first two years in Dallas
My family and I really like it here, and the people are great. There’s a good hockey buzz now, and the fans are great here. It’s been really good.
More stars: Stars' Exit Interview Coverage
Offseason plans? Perhaps another year of tee-ball?
No, no I got out of that, haha. Just kids activities and being a full-time dad. I’m looking forward to it.
Patrick Eaves is an unrestricted free agent going into this summer, and it is a tossup on whether the Dallas Stars will try to sign him to a new deal or not. On one hand, he’s a motivating player in the locker room and is an effective player around the front of the net. But on the other hand, the Stars have young talent that can play the same position, and Eaves’s consistent injuries are a worry factor.
Next: Should The Stars Keep Fiddler For Another Year?
We’ll have exclusive coverage of interviews with Antoine Roussel and Mattias Janmark as the week goes on, so stay tuned for more updates.