DavidCastilloAC
@davidcastillo.bsky.social
A he/him fan of sports violence, science fiction, sanctuary pigs, Terry Eagleton's prose, and Andy Gibb's guitar.
https://linktr.ee/davidcastilloac
https://linktr.ee/davidcastilloac
Postgame recap of a total beating from Dallas over Montreal. dcastillo.substack.com/p/stray-obse...
Stray Observations (Game 18): Dallas opens up a can on Montreal in 7-0 victory
A great game with no asterisks? You better believe it.
dcastillo.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Postgame recap of a total beating from Dallas over Montreal. dcastillo.substack.com/p/stray-obse...
Pretty hilarious. Every Dallas Star defender notched a point tonight. Yes, Alex Petrovic and Ilya 'headlock' Lybushkin included.
November 14, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Pretty hilarious. Every Dallas Star defender notched a point tonight. Yes, Alex Petrovic and Ilya 'headlock' Lybushkin included.
Better period than in recent games. Still don't like to see shots tilted 11-4 at even strength, but Dallas seems to struggle most with extended possessions from the opponent. If they can shake those off more regularly, or adjust better than ideally the EV attack will follow.
November 14, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Better period than in recent games. Still don't like to see shots tilted 11-4 at even strength, but Dallas seems to struggle most with extended possessions from the opponent. If they can shake those off more regularly, or adjust better than ideally the EV attack will follow.
Interesting tidbit from Razor about Gulutzan having some individual interviews with players and not being satisfied with Dallas' recent run of play despite their points in the standings.
November 14, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Interesting tidbit from Razor about Gulutzan having some individual interviews with players and not being satisfied with Dallas' recent run of play despite their points in the standings.
Blindsight was super indulgent, and still one of my favorite pieces of sci-fi ever (easily top 15). This one? Bottom 15?
November 13, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Blindsight was super indulgent, and still one of my favorite pieces of sci-fi ever (easily top 15). This one? Bottom 15?
Postgame recap of a Dallas-Ottawa game that connected all the good, bad, and ugly dots that make the Stars a fascinating contradiction of elements. dcastillo.substack.com/p/stray-obse...
Stray Observations (Game 17): Another comeback win for Dallas in 3-2 overtime win in Ottawa (yes, in Ottawa!)
It wasn't pretty. Until it was.
dcastillo.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Postgame recap of a Dallas-Ottawa game that connected all the good, bad, and ugly dots that make the Stars a fascinating contradiction of elements. dcastillo.substack.com/p/stray-obse...
That was might have been the best overtime we'll see all year.
November 12, 2025 at 2:41 AM
That was might have been the best overtime we'll see all year.
The Stars have been outshot 288-333 at even-strength. Sequences like the last 10 minutes are why injuries and systems adjustment are not sufficient excuses at this point.
November 12, 2025 at 12:25 AM
The Stars have been outshot 288-333 at even-strength. Sequences like the last 10 minutes are why injuries and systems adjustment are not sufficient excuses at this point.
Sucks for Trent Frederic. His GM gives him that idiotic deal, and because fighting is a cheap shorthand for effort in hockey, he ends up having to drop the gloves with a dude that would have been a heavyweight even in the 90s (Olivier really is that scary).
November 11, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Sucks for Trent Frederic. His GM gives him that idiotic deal, and because fighting is a cheap shorthand for effort in hockey, he ends up having to drop the gloves with a dude that would have been a heavyweight even in the 90s (Olivier really is that scary).
Three things that have me worried about the 2025-2026 Dallas Stars, and three things that do not. dcastillo.substack.com/p/these-star...
These Stars So Far: Three reasons to worry. And three reasons not to.
What's the worry?
dcastillo.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Three things that have me worried about the 2025-2026 Dallas Stars, and three things that do not. dcastillo.substack.com/p/these-star...
Dallas Stars after 16 games:
2024: +19 in goals. +95 in shots. +2 in expected goals.
2025: -4 in goals. -35 in shots. +3 in expected goals.
Small sample size, and injuries, I know: maybe a hot take but those reasons alone shouldn't explain why they still lack cohesion.
2024: +19 in goals. +95 in shots. +2 in expected goals.
2025: -4 in goals. -35 in shots. +3 in expected goals.
Small sample size, and injuries, I know: maybe a hot take but those reasons alone shouldn't explain why they still lack cohesion.
November 10, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Dallas Stars after 16 games:
2024: +19 in goals. +95 in shots. +2 in expected goals.
2025: -4 in goals. -35 in shots. +3 in expected goals.
Small sample size, and injuries, I know: maybe a hot take but those reasons alone shouldn't explain why they still lack cohesion.
2024: +19 in goals. +95 in shots. +2 in expected goals.
2025: -4 in goals. -35 in shots. +3 in expected goals.
Small sample size, and injuries, I know: maybe a hot take but those reasons alone shouldn't explain why they still lack cohesion.
Join the Discord for the prophecies.
November 8, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Join the Discord for the prophecies.
The damn may not break for Jason Robertson today, but it will soon.
November 8, 2025 at 10:28 PM
The damn may not break for Jason Robertson today, but it will soon.
Postgame recap of a bizarre Dallas loss to the most bizarre team in the NHL (Anaheim). dcastillo.substack.com/p/stray-obse...
Stray Observations (Game 14): A special teams night isn't enough for a special win, as Dallas falls to Anaheim 7-5
Midrange vs. home brew.
dcastillo.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Postgame recap of a bizarre Dallas loss to the most bizarre team in the NHL (Anaheim). dcastillo.substack.com/p/stray-obse...
Emil Hemming with a three-assist night. That's now 10 points in his first four games back in the OHL.
November 7, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Emil Hemming with a three-assist night. That's now 10 points in his first four games back in the OHL.
Wyatt Johnston: elite.
November 7, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Wyatt Johnston: elite.
Film room analysis on top Dallas Stars prospect, Emil Hemming, and his blistering start in the OHL. dcastillo.substack.com/p/tales-from...
Tales From The Clipped: Emil Hemming is dominating the OHL with a net drive that Dallas could one day (really) use
The Finnish winger is back. Better than ever, etc.
dcastillo.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Film room analysis on top Dallas Stars prospect, Emil Hemming, and his blistering start in the OHL. dcastillo.substack.com/p/tales-from...
Miro Heiskanen is so back. (Not that he ever left; but those first few games were kind of awkward)
This is what the Stars did in Heiskanen's 28 minutes, two third of which were against McDavid:
November 5, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Miro Heiskanen is so back. (Not that he ever left; but those first few games were kind of awkward)
Finally some non-Stars writing! If you're a Penguins, Kraken, Canadiens, Ducks, Mammoth, Leafs, Kings, Oilers, Rangers, or Red Wings fan...here's your checkup. sticksandsalvos.substack.com/p/regressing...
Regressing to the Mean: Five PDO posers versus five PDO benders, and which roles are due for a reversal (or not)
Who is due for a fall? And who is not?
sticksandsalvos.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Finally some non-Stars writing! If you're a Penguins, Kraken, Canadiens, Ducks, Mammoth, Leafs, Kings, Oilers, Rangers, or Red Wings fan...here's your checkup. sticksandsalvos.substack.com/p/regressing...
No idea what Lyubushkin was doing there.
November 5, 2025 at 1:15 AM
No idea what Lyubushkin was doing there.
Reposted by DavidCastilloAC
My latest: a discussion about Thomas Harley, and how it will come to represent the defining feature of the Dallas Stars blue line core. And of course, what they means for the future of a team that still feels like a mystery. www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
What Is the Future of the Stars’ Defense After Thomas Harley’s Extension?
Re-signing the 24-year-old means we know what Dallas' blue line will look like for a while. Is that good enough to be the core of a Stanley Cup winner?
www.dmagazine.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:21 PM
My latest: a discussion about Thomas Harley, and how it will come to represent the defining feature of the Dallas Stars blue line core. And of course, what they means for the future of a team that still feels like a mystery. www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
Reposted by DavidCastilloAC
Thomas Harley's new deal is good. Let's not waste time on that. What we can do - and @davidcastillo.bsky.social did, like only he can - is assess what this Stars defense is now that it's locked in for the foreseeable future. Is this the foundation of a Cup winner?
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
What Is the Future of the Stars’ Defense After Thomas Harley’s Extension?
Re-signing the 24-year-old means we know what Dallas' blue line will look like for a while. Is that good enough to be the core of a Stanley Cup winner?
www.dmagazine.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Thomas Harley's new deal is good. Let's not waste time on that. What we can do - and @davidcastillo.bsky.social did, like only he can - is assess what this Stars defense is now that it's locked in for the foreseeable future. Is this the foundation of a Cup winner?
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
My latest (latest): More reflections on Thomas Harley, the Dallas Stars, introducing Samu Tuomaala, and more prospect notes, including Emil Hemming's scalding hot start for Barrie.
dcastillo.substack.com/p/stars-stuf...
dcastillo.substack.com/p/stars-stuf...
Stars Stuff: Dallas' last place possession stats, more reflections on Harley, introducing Flyers prospect Samu Tuomaala, and updated 2025 prospect rankings
A rundown of the Dallas Stars and the other Stars.
dcastillo.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:25 PM
My latest (latest): More reflections on Thomas Harley, the Dallas Stars, introducing Samu Tuomaala, and more prospect notes, including Emil Hemming's scalding hot start for Barrie.
dcastillo.substack.com/p/stars-stuf...
dcastillo.substack.com/p/stars-stuf...
My latest: a discussion about Thomas Harley, and how it will come to represent the defining feature of the Dallas Stars blue line core. And of course, what they means for the future of a team that still feels like a mystery. www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
What Is the Future of the Stars’ Defense After Thomas Harley’s Extension?
Re-signing the 24-year-old means we know what Dallas' blue line will look like for a while. Is that good enough to be the core of a Stanley Cup winner?
www.dmagazine.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:21 PM
My latest: a discussion about Thomas Harley, and how it will come to represent the defining feature of the Dallas Stars blue line core. And of course, what they means for the future of a team that still feels like a mystery. www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
Postgame quicktake: At even strength, the Dallas Stars are a -144 in shot attempt plus/minus. That's worse than the San Jose Sharks, who are a -123. It's nice to see special teams steal you points, but stealing is not a good Plan A.
November 2, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Postgame quicktake: At even strength, the Dallas Stars are a -144 in shot attempt plus/minus. That's worse than the San Jose Sharks, who are a -123. It's nice to see special teams steal you points, but stealing is not a good Plan A.