Dallas Stars Rumors: Dallas To Host 2018 NHL Entry Draft

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 24: A general view of the Dallas Stars table during the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 24: A general view of the Dallas Stars table during the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Dallas Stars will host their Reunion Lawn Party on Saturday evening, and there will be some pretty big names in attendance. A big announcement will also be made. What ever could it be?

Over the past few years, the Dallas Stars have hosted their annual “Party In The Park” in mid-July. It’s a one-night event (usually at Klyde Warren Park) that gives Stars fans a chance to get away from the work week and enjoy some quality time talking about their favorite hockey team.

The entertainment typically includes food trucks, a concert by a DFW-based band, and games with possible prizes. There are also plenty of Dallas Stars personalities in attendance, including members of the Stars broadcast crew, media members, the Dallas Stars Ice Girls, and the Dallas Stars Street Squad.

It’s a fun time to kick back and enjoy some Stars fun as the dog days of the offseason begin creeping in.

But this offseason, things are going to be a bit different. That’s because the Dallas Stars are abandoning the Party In The Park for the Reunion Lawn Party. It will be held near the American Airlines Center on the Reunion Tower Lawn.

More from Blackout Dallas

The Reunion Lawn Party is an annual event held on the last Saturday night of each month during the summer. Tonight, the Dallas Stars will simply take over the party. And with the takeover, they will be bringing a pretty big announcement.

On Friday morning, a number of Stars media analysts and Mike Rawlings, the mayor of Dallas, tweeted about a big unveiling that would take place at the event. Rawlings and even NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly are expected to be in attendance and help make the announcement.

The Stars are no strangers to making big announcements at their annual summer party. At the 2015 party, the Dallas Stars announced the blockbuster trade for Patrick Sharp and Stephen Johns. During the 2016 party, GM Jim Nill made the announcement that the Stars had re-signed captain Jamie Benn to a long term extension.

More From Blackout Dallas: Jamie Benn Will Join Dirk Nowitzki In Dallas History Books

But this season, the announcement isn’t expected to deal with a trade or free agency signing to improve the Stars’ internal roster. Nonetheless, it is setting up to be a pretty monumental announcement. What ever could it be?

Well, the rumor has it that the 2018 NHL Entry Draft will be held in Dallas, Texas next summer. At this point, it seems as though that is the only plausible announcement and it may as well be confirmed.

The rumors first began flowing at the end of the 2017 Draft in Chicago last month when John Shannon tweeted out that Dallas seemed to be the favorite. But according to the report, they were still a long ways off from making an official deal.

At development camp in early July, there was still no official report or word that the two sides were working on a deal. But it appears as though the two sides have finally settled.

This will be the first time that Dallas has hosted an NHL Draft and will be a great opportunity for the city. Not only will Stars fans be able to attend the draft without having to spend a boatload, but it will also bring in other NHL communities to observe the hockey culture in Dallas. It will also serve as a great source of revenue for the city of Dallas.

Next: Five Reasons The Stars Miss The 2018 Playoffs

The announcement is expected to happen tonight, so if you have nothing to do and are in the Dallas area, you might not want to miss it. Not to mention the good time that comes with it. The party starts at 6:30 tonight deep in the heart of Dallas.