Dallas, TX

Despite Game 1 loss, Jim Nill’s Dallas Stars are built to bounce back vs. Avalanche

Published

12 months ago

April 20, 2025

Despite Game 1 loss, Jim Nill’s Dallas Stars are built to bounce back vs. Avalanche

Jim Nill could teach Nico Harrison a thing or two about how to make a trade that sends shock waves through the rest of the league without pulling the props out from under your own front porch in the process. Both general managers made blockbuster deadline moves in an attempt to win now. As of Friday night, Nico’s officially a year in arrears.

Even after Saturday’s 5-1 opening-game loss to Colorado at American Airlines Center, Nill still has a pretty good shot at his first Stanley Cup as a GM.

Might as well go ahead and win it all now, too, before people start to think it’s a Dallas thing.

On one hand, the Stars go into Game 2 with not just one eight-game losing streak but two. There’s eight straight this season as well as eight in a row leading off a playoff series.

On the other hand, they’ve bounced back after a Game 1 loss before. Five of the last seven playoff series, to be exact.

“There’s no confidence issue,” said Pete DeBoer, who seemed to believe it.

Certainly the Stars are good enough to turn this around. Also good enough to win their first championship this century. Even without Jason Robertson for a few more games, and Saturday’s evidence to the contrary, they’ve got the firepower and the goalie in Jake Oettinger.

Once Miro Heiskanen returns — he looked like he might be close at Saturday’s morning skate — they’ll have enough defense.

“He’s a world-class player,” Thomas Harley said, “and we miss him.”

Unfortunately, the Stars’ bigger problem Saturday was they didn’t miss Mackenzie Blackwood nearly enough. Just once, in fact, on a power-play goal by Roope Hintz in the third, when Blackwood’s stick was stuck in the net.

The breakthrough cut Colorado’s lead to 2-1, which is when it all went to pieces. The Avs’ last three goals included an empty netter and another goal so bad it nearly emptied the building.

If there’s been any criticism of Nill’s deadline work, it’s that he doubled down on offense with the acquisition of Mikko Rantanen instead of dressing up his blue line. Rantanen is clearly still feeling his way along. As for DeBoer’s defense, he said his only problem was giving Colorado eight minutes of power play to play with.

In the scoreless first period, it was tough sledding for both teams. Broken sticks littered the ice like driftwood on a beach.

But, even before Colorado’s late barrage, they proved to be the better team Saturday. Through two periods, as the Avs took a 2-0 lead, they’d won more face-offs (24-17), outshot (18-17) and outhit (23-12) the Stars, who looked like they were still trying to shake the cobwebs out of their heads from a seven-game losing streak to end the regular season.

Were the Avs also lucky? Sure. They got their first goal after Oettinger stopped Artturi Lehkonen’s shot, only to watch the rebound hit Lehkonen’s skate as he slid toward the crease, the puck caroming over Otter’s shoulder.

“Hell of a soccer play,” DeBoer said, smiling.

On a Colorado power play after Hintz’s double-minor, Nathan MacKinnon also flicked a puck that clipped Otter’s glove.

That was pretty much all that was needed Saturday to undo the Stars, who haven’t won the first game of a playoff series since 2020. Not ideal to keep digging themselves a hole early, but not a deal-killer, either.

Even if they don’t pull this series out, chances are nobody’s getting fired. Certainly not Nill. Could Pete DeBoer be on the hot seat? He got 106 points out of a team missing its best player (Heiskanen) and Tyler Seguin for a chunk of the season. Some bitterness lingers from how he handled the end of the Stars’ playoff run last year, but Nill isn’t firing him now.

Not when he lacks a front-line replacement for a team built to win now.

For the record, Nico’s probably not getting fired, either, even if he deserves it for trading Luka Doncic. For one thing, Patrick Dumont backed the trade publicly. He can’t back off Nico now.

Besides, before making the worst trade in Dallas sports history, Nico had shown a knack for making deals that led to a conference finals appearance and a finals run. He should get the opportunity to prove he can still make this work.

Missing the playoffs again next year ought to do it for all those unhappy campers out there.

Maybe even a one-and-done.

Fortunately, the Stars, though down a game once again, play on. Even if most left early, enough fans hung around with two minutes left to mount a decent “Fire Nico” chant. Only one GM working at AAC is safe these days.

Twitter/X: @KSherringtonDMN

Tripped up: See photos from Dallas Stars’ Game 1 loss to Colorado Avalanche

Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

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Dallas, TX

Pooh Shiesty ordered held on kidnapping charges tied to armed dispute with Gucci Mane, Dallas judge rules

Published

9 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Press Room

Pooh Shiesty ordered held on kidnapping charges tied to armed dispute with Gucci Mane, Dallas judge rules

A federal judge in Dallas ordered rapper Pooh Shiesty to remain in custody on kidnapping charges after allegedly pulling a gun during a contract dispute involving rapper Gucci Mane’s record label.

Pooh Shiesty, whose legal name is Lontrell Williams Jr., appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Renee Harris Toliver for a hearing on Wednesday. Prosecutors have also charged eight others over the alleged January confrontation at a music studio, where the victims were allegedly robbed at gunpoint.

Prosecutors have declined to name the victims, and an FBI affidavit attached to a criminal complaint only refers to them by their initials. One victim, R.D., is described as the owner of 1017 Records, the label belonging to Gucci Mane, whose legal name is Radric Delantic Davis.

“I find that the weight of the evidence against you is strong,” Toliver told Pooh Shiesty during the hearing.

She noted that the rapper had a criminal history and had violated a home confinement order following a prior firearms conspiracy conviction in Florida.

As of Thursday morning, no other hearings are scheduled in the case.

Affidavit details alleged gun threat, robbery during Dallas studio meeting

During the hearing, Bradford Cohen, the rapper’s attorney, raised questions about much of the prosecution’s evidence. “The FBI doesn’t take three months to arrest someone if they believe everything that was said on the night that it occurred,” Cohen said.

Prosecutors have accused the rapper, who was arrested last week, of arranging the music studio meeting in Dallas to discuss the terms of his contract with 1017 Records.

According to an affidavit attached to a criminal complaint, Pooh Shiesty had asked to speak with the record label owner in a recording room. He then allegedly produced contract termination paperwork and pulled out what appeared to be an AK-style pistol while forcing the label owner to sign.

The rapper then took the victim’s wedding ring, watch, earrings and cash, according to the affidavit.

Pooh Shiesty is from Memphis, Tennessee, but he is believed to have been recently living in a high-rise apartment in Frisco, according to the affidavit. Several of the defendants traveled from Memphis to Dallas ahead of the meeting, according to the affidavit.

Gucci Mane is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of trap music alongside fellow Atlanta rappers T.I. and Jeezy. He emerged in the mid-2000s with his breakout single “Icy” and went on to build a vast catalog.

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Dallas, TX

3 musings after Dallas falls to Phoenix, 112-107

Published

21 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Press Room

3 musings after Dallas falls to Phoenix, 112-107

The never-say-die Dallas Mavericks put up a valiant, short-handed effort against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, losing 112-107. Devin Booker was the high scorer and all-around best player for the Suns, scoring 37 to go along with five rebounds and nine assists. John Poulakidas led Dallas in scoring off the bench, pouring in 23 and making it look easy.

Both the Mavericks and Suns were on fire early from the three-point line. The teams traded leads, with neither squad playing much defense. Both Cooper Flagg and Jalen Green exited the game early with injury issues and it was unclear if either would return. The Mavericks stayed feisty and stuck with the Suns, trailing 33-29 after one quarter.

With Cooper Flagg returning in the second, Dallas tried to keep pace with the Suns and managed for most of the quarter. The hot outside shooting from Dallas cooled but getting to the line allowed Dallas to match scoring with the Suns. But after tying it at 50 with 4:22 remaining, the Mavericks would score only three points the rest of the quarter. The Suns scored slowly and built up a 61-53 to take into the half.

Before the second half started began, it was reported that Jalen Green would not return. The Suns opened the half blowing up their lead to as many as 18 as Dallas looked half asleep. The Mavericks, of course, spent the rest of the period whittling that lead back down to zero only to unravel in the final few minutes. The score entering the fourth was the same difference as when the second half began: the suns lead 88-80.

Dallas would not go away. The Mavericks stormed back once again, taking a 95-93 lead with around eight minutes remaining. Following a Suns timeout, Phoenix retook the lead but not before the Mavericks entered the 45th CLUTCH game of their season, being down five with under five minutes to go. In the first really obvious tanking move I can remember, Kidd pulled all his starters and they STILL managed to keep the game within three points until a Devin Booker three sealed the game with 1:12 remaining. The Mavericks fall, 112-107.

Have yourself a game, John Poulakidas

I make it a point not to get too invested in two-way players. If a two-way player matters, the season is usually lost. But that doesn’t mean I’m against a good story, and the Yale guard has been fun for Dallas these last 40 days or so. He scored his first NBA points three weeks ago and just nine games later, scores a career high 23 points on some great looking shots.

To be honest, I have no idea if he has a spot on a NBA team. He plays real hard and has a key skill in terms of shot making that teams can use. He tries hard on defense, but considering Dallas is so bad at defense I’ve no idea how to rate him. Perhaps he can go to Summer League with the Mavericks?

The Suns have a lot of good players I enjoy watching

Dillon Brooks is an acquired taste at best, but I very much appreciate the games of Collin Gillespie and Khaman Maluach. The former helped control the game for the Suns on the offensive end while the latter was fantastic on the boards for the Suns, grabbing 14 in his first start. I’m not sure how the pieces all fit with this team; Booker is awesome and Jalen Green has a ton of talent.

AJ Johnson might be the worst NBA contract player on the Mavericks in years

Tonight, Johnson shot 1-11 from the floor. He’s now 20-72 from the field in his short time with the Mavericks. Professional basketball players cannot shoot 27% from the floor. His finishing is weak (he loses the ball on drives), his shot from distance looks as if he’s blind, and his defense is that of a grade schooler. Sorry if this is too harsh. Whoever drafted and signed him should not be allowed to make personnel decisions.

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Dallas, TX

Dallas Cowboys Star Labeled Trade Candidate and Named Ideal Fit for Chargers

Published

1 day ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

Dallas Cowboys Star Labeled Trade Candidate and Named Ideal Fit for Chargers

Until the Dallas Cowboys sign George Pickens to a long-term deal, the chance remains that he could get traded.

At this point, it doesn’t look like the Cowboys and Pickens are any closer to a deal than when they slapped the franchise tag on him during the month of February. Owner Jerry Jones made it quite clear the two sides haven’t talked recently and Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reported that the Cowboys “haven’t started any substantial contract talks with Pickens’ agent.”

All of this sets the stage for what could be an ugly offseason that sees Pickens holding out until he and the Cowboys hammer out a long-term deal. Along with that, if Pickens’ situation becomes a headache for Dallas, it’s conceivable they could trade him.

And that’s the logic CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell is using to frame the star wideout as a trade candidate. He also rightly cites the parallels with the Micah Parsons saga.

“Yes, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has been adamant Pickens is in the Cowboys’ long-term plans, but he said the same thing about All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons before trading him to the Green Bay Packers a week before the start of the 2025 season,” Podell explained. “Anything can happen when Jones gets backed up against the well in contract negotiations with his star players. Pickens is currently on the franchise tag, but it’s certain his agent David Mulugheta doesn’t want his client to take the field without a long-term deal in 2026.”

Chargers named ideal fit for George Pickens

Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Podell then went on to say that the Chargers are the “team that needs to trade for him the most.”

“The Chargers had the NFL’s ninth-ranked scoring defense (20.0 points per game allowed) in 2025, but quarterback Justin Herbert got beaten to a pulp behind the league’s most injury-ravaged offensive line,” Podell said. “He was the most pressured (126 times pressured) and most hit (took 129 quarterback hits) last season. Having a true No. 1 safety valve like Pickens, whose quick release off the line of scrimmage could save Herbert’s life, could raise the ceiling of the Chargers’ offense tremendously.”

The Chargers don’t have a bad situation at wide receiver, with Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Tre’ Harris, but it wouldn’t hurt to upgrade the situation, either, given the facts that the jury is still out on Harris and Johnston has been inconsistent during his career.

What a Cowboys-Chargers trade could look like

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

If the Cowboys trade Pickens, they will need a replacement and, while the Chargers couldn’t offer a one-for-one swap, they can send back Johnston in a package.

That would lower the draft capital the Cowboys would get back, but at least they wouldn’t have as big of a void at wide receiver. Perhaps the Cowboys could get back the third-round pick they gave up in the Pickens trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers while also adding Johnston to pair with CeeDee Lamb.

Considering what could take place over these next handful of months with Pickens, that would be an acceptable off-ramp.

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