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
"But it's different for Jason Robertson! You see. In a bottom six role" - Bill. Bubbe! You don't *have* to play the highest-scoring American forward since the 2022-2023 season IN the bottom six.
December 30, 2025 at 10:13 PM
"But it's different for Jason Robertson! You see. In a bottom six role" - Bill. Bubbe! You don't *have* to play the highest-scoring American forward since the 2022-2023 season IN the bottom six.
I've tried to keep my thoughts about Jason Robertson and Team USA as contained, measured, and calm as possible. In part because I still suspect he'll make it. But if he doesn't, whatever microshred of professionalism I ever had will be sacrificed to an all consuming sports rage.
December 30, 2025 at 3:51 PM
I've tried to keep my thoughts about Jason Robertson and Team USA as contained, measured, and calm as possible. In part because I still suspect he'll make it. But if he doesn't, whatever microshred of professionalism I ever had will be sacrificed to an all consuming sports rage.
Some thoughts on the Western Conference playoff picture and why it's basically already set. The only teams who have business are San Jose and Utah. Looking at the cases for and against one of them finally making the plyoffs. sticksandsalvos.substack.com/p/why-the-se...
Why the second wild card spot in the WC will come down to Utah versus San Jose
Get ready for someone to rumble who hasn't rumbled in awhile.
sticksandsalvos.substack.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Some thoughts on the Western Conference playoff picture and why it's basically already set. The only teams who have business are San Jose and Utah. Looking at the cases for and against one of them finally making the plyoffs. sticksandsalvos.substack.com/p/why-the-se...
I need a mix of awkward bounces behind the net because hockey is so fast, they're almost always punctuated with maximum drama.
December 30, 2025 at 3:38 AM
I need a mix of awkward bounces behind the net because hockey is so fast, they're almost always punctuated with maximum drama.
I wish announcers would tear into Greenway for that shot the same way they do players who are slow on the backcheck. Buffalo has got St. Louis absolutely hemmed TF in, and with no pressure from the half wall, just lobs a muffin right into Hofer's mitt. Gross.
December 30, 2025 at 3:07 AM
I wish announcers would tear into Greenway for that shot the same way they do players who are slow on the backcheck. Buffalo has got St. Louis absolutely hemmed TF in, and with no pressure from the half wall, just lobs a muffin right into Hofer's mitt. Gross.
Lots of Dallas Stars notes in the puckbook, from Jason Robertson's skating to more thoughts on Kiefer Sherwood, plus the awkward chaos of the Chicago game. dcastillo.substack.com/p/stars-stuf...
Stars Stuff: Dallas loses another overtime, Jason Robertson's skating, some more deadline talk, and a Buffalo preview
Analyzing chaos isn't easy.
dcastillo.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Lots of Dallas Stars notes in the puckbook, from Jason Robertson's skating to more thoughts on Kiefer Sherwood, plus the awkward chaos of the Chicago game. dcastillo.substack.com/p/stars-stuf...
I believe that marks all 32 teams who can claim that a blatant crosscheck went ignored because this year's officiating somehow feels like its' nadir.
December 29, 2025 at 2:37 AM
I believe that marks all 32 teams who can claim that a blatant crosscheck went ignored because this year's officiating somehow feels like its' nadir.
I've missed some of this game, but Emil Hemming has popped off versus Latvia, and it's something worth highlighting about his game: in the absence of offensive structure, his two-way vision will be minor tension with his shooting ability. Surround him with playmakers!
December 28, 2025 at 11:24 PM
I've missed some of this game, but Emil Hemming has popped off versus Latvia, and it's something worth highlighting about his game: in the absence of offensive structure, his two-way vision will be minor tension with his shooting ability. Surround him with playmakers!
This Dallas Chicago game is lowkey demented.
December 28, 2025 at 3:32 AM
This Dallas Chicago game is lowkey demented.
It took the Toronto Maple Leafs 37 games to score more power play goals than Wyatt Johnston.
December 28, 2025 at 2:16 AM
It took the Toronto Maple Leafs 37 games to score more power play goals than Wyatt Johnston.
Good example here of Jason Robertson leveraging his smarts here with the head fake to kind of inform his skating (?).
December 28, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Good example here of Jason Robertson leveraging his smarts here with the head fake to kind of inform his skating (?).
This is not a trap game given the injuries to Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, but Chicago should be an interesting stress test for Dallas in some ways, given how great the Stars are on the power play, and how great Chicago is on the penalty kill.
December 28, 2025 at 12:55 AM
This is not a trap game given the injuries to Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, but Chicago should be an interesting stress test for Dallas in some ways, given how great the Stars are on the power play, and how great Chicago is on the penalty kill.
Quick note on the '99 Dallas Stars jerseys because somebody asked me in the Discord. I reached out to the team and a Stars spokesperson explained that Dallas' merchandise team is fighting in the octagon (my words) with Fanatics to get them restocked as soon as possible. Just FYI.
December 27, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Quick note on the '99 Dallas Stars jerseys because somebody asked me in the Discord. I reached out to the team and a Stars spokesperson explained that Dallas' merchandise team is fighting in the octagon (my words) with Fanatics to get them restocked as soon as possible. Just FYI.
Thinking about Kiefer Sherwood, and whether he's a proper fit for the Dallas Stars. dcastillo.substack.com/p/lebrun-rep...
LeBrun reports that Dallas has called about Kiefer Sherwood. Would he be a good fit? Or is he just a fit given the market?
If you're not familiar with his game, the answer might surprise you.
dcastillo.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Thinking about Kiefer Sherwood, and whether he's a proper fit for the Dallas Stars. dcastillo.substack.com/p/lebrun-rep...
From Jason Robertson (in which I argue I'd rather see him NOT go) to Thomas Harley: a Dallas Stars holiday wishlist. Speaking of wishes, happy holidays and good fortune my fellow victory green sickos!
dcastillo.substack.com/p/light-work...
dcastillo.substack.com/p/light-work...
Light Work: The Dallas Stars holiday wishlist edition
Pretty much what you'd expect.
dcastillo.substack.com
December 25, 2025 at 2:36 PM
From Jason Robertson (in which I argue I'd rather see him NOT go) to Thomas Harley: a Dallas Stars holiday wishlist. Speaking of wishes, happy holidays and good fortune my fellow victory green sickos!
dcastillo.substack.com/p/light-work...
dcastillo.substack.com/p/light-work...
If you didn't get a chance to listen to yesterday's show with Gavin about our Dallas Stars holiday wishlist, now's your chance to hear us mostly (outside of Gavin asking Dallas to trade for Ryan Reaves; just kidding!) have a productive yet fun conversation. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
NHL Holiday Wishlist With David Castillo
Podcast Episode · Spits & Suds Podcast · 12/23/2025 · 1h 12m
podcasts.apple.com
December 24, 2025 at 5:52 PM
If you didn't get a chance to listen to yesterday's show with Gavin about our Dallas Stars holiday wishlist, now's your chance to hear us mostly (outside of Gavin asking Dallas to trade for Ryan Reaves; just kidding!) have a productive yet fun conversation. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
Here's the recap! dcastillo.substack.com/p/stray-obse...
Stray Observations (Game 38): Dallas bulldogs Detroit only to get bulldogged in overtime in 4-3 loss
You win some. You lose some. Just not on special teams.
dcastillo.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Here's the recap! dcastillo.substack.com/p/stray-obse...
A weird game with an unpredictable result as Dallas loses (quickly) in overtime to Detroit. dcastillo.substack.com/p/tales-from...
Tales From The Clipped: How the Dallas Stars power play under Neil Graham has become the most lethal power play in the analytics era
The fancy stats don't lie. And neither does the video.
dcastillo.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:50 AM
A weird game with an unpredictable result as Dallas loses (quickly) in overtime to Detroit. dcastillo.substack.com/p/tales-from...
Reposted by DavidCastilloAC
If USA Hockey doesn't pick Jason Robertson for the Olympic team, I'm rooting for Finland.
We won't know until January 2 but it really looks like Jason Robertson won't be picked to be part of Team USA. Insert totally justified/don't let anyone gaslight you into thinking otherwise outrage here. (Although I'm calling it: he makes the cut.) www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
U.S. men's hockey roster: What we're hearing as management prepares to make final decisions
www.nytimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:09 PM
If USA Hockey doesn't pick Jason Robertson for the Olympic team, I'm rooting for Finland.
We won't know until January 2 but it really looks like Jason Robertson won't be picked to be part of Team USA. Insert totally justified/don't let anyone gaslight you into thinking otherwise outrage here. (Although I'm calling it: he makes the cut.) www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
U.S. men's hockey roster: What we're hearing as management prepares to make final decisions
www.nytimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:17 PM
We won't know until January 2 but it really looks like Jason Robertson won't be picked to be part of Team USA. Insert totally justified/don't let anyone gaslight you into thinking otherwise outrage here. (Although I'm calling it: he makes the cut.) www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Some more Stars Stuff: spent too many words on Toronto, but discussed the Anaheim and Toronto wins, more stats, Vatrano's fine, and more Jason Roberson appreciation. dcastillo.substack.com/p/stars-stuf...
Stars Stuff: Breaking Toronto's spirit, touchdowns in Anaheim, Vatrano's fine, Harley's struggled, and more!
And another way to frame Jason Robertson's value.
dcastillo.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Some more Stars Stuff: spent too many words on Toronto, but discussed the Anaheim and Toronto wins, more stats, Vatrano's fine, and more Jason Roberson appreciation. dcastillo.substack.com/p/stars-stuf...
Until tonight, Dallas hadn't beaten the Leafs in Dallas since they drafted Miro Heiskanen, Jason Robertson, and Jake Oettinger. Toronto couldn't even rely on their usual hockey god sorcery. This is how you know Toronto is done.
December 22, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Until tonight, Dallas hadn't beaten the Leafs in Dallas since they drafted Miro Heiskanen, Jason Robertson, and Jake Oettinger. Toronto couldn't even rely on their usual hockey god sorcery. This is how you know Toronto is done.
Mavrik Bourque was having a fantastic night, working hard, making plays, and flowing responsibly to boot. Needless to say, that goal was well-earned.
December 22, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Mavrik Bourque was having a fantastic night, working hard, making plays, and flowing responsibly to boot. Needless to say, that goal was well-earned.
Thomas Harley is going through a STRETCH.
December 22, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Thomas Harley is going through a STRETCH.