Mark Lazerus

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Mark Lazerus

Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill didn’t have any cap space, but he had everything else that Matt Duchene wanted. In the end, that was enough to keep his leading scorer in Dallas for four more seasons. The Stars announced Thursday that they have re-signed Duchene, who posted 82 points in 82 games this past season, to a four-year deal with a cap hit of just $4.5 million. Even given Duchene’s age, 34, it’s a bargain-basement price for a proven player coming off that type of season.

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Scott Powers |Mark Lazerus

It’s been two months — 65 days, to be precise — since the Chicago Blackhawks last played a game, with Frank Nazar scoring off a Connor Bedard feed to beat the Ottawa Senators in overtime. But technically speaking, the NHL offseason just started. With a crowded roster, a jam-packed prospect pool, two first-round draft picks and more than $25 million in cap space, general manager Kyle Davidson has plenty of significant decisions to make in the days, weeks and months ahead.

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Mark Lazerus |Scott Powers

Ten years ago might seem like forever, but it wasn't that long ago that the Blackhawks were still playing hockey this time of year, the way the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are. But these days, June is about hiring coaches and developing prospects and making draft picks. The idea is that if you do enough of those right, eventually you'll be back to playing well into May and June. Easier said than done, of course. So, how are the Blackhawks doing this offseason?

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Mark Lazerus

It was the rashness of the decision, yanking goaltender Jake Oettinger after just two shots, neither of which was all that stoppable. It was the humiliating manner in which he made the decision, emphatically and animatedly calling Oettinger back to the bench for a globally televised walk of shame after a timeout.

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Mark Lazerus

Pete DeBoer brought the Dallas Stars to the Western Conference final in all three of his seasons as head coach. He won't get a chance for a fourth. The Stars fired DeBoer on Friday, barely a week after they lost to the Edmonton Oilers in five games. That series ended with DeBoer pulling goaltender Jake Oettinger after the Oilers scored on their first two shots of the game. Following the game, DeBoer laid much of the blame for the loss at Oettinger's feet.