Okay, okay, so there is more to the story here. Just ask coach Pete DeBoer. Oh, too soon?
For those that were unaware, the Stars have been fined $100,000 by the NHL for violating the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) by holding an optional practice during the league’s holiday break, which took place December 24-27.
News of this came out in an interview with DeBoer, who accidentally (or unknowingly) disclosed that an optional practice was held on the 26th. Under this CBA, teams are also not allowed to travel or trade players during this timeframe.
Unfortunately, that practice didn’t pay off the following night against the Minnesota Wild, where the Stars forfeited a two-goal lead and lost to the Wild in overtime.