Thursday Links Roundup: Kuraly continues to star at WJC camp

Sean Kuraly scored again yesterday at Team USA’s World Junior Championships evaluation camp in Lake Placid. He and fellow Sharks prospect Colin Blackwell are currently tied for the camp lead in scoring, each with six points in three games. Unsurprisingly, they both also survived the first round of cuts although San Jose’s 2012 7th rounder Joakim Ryan did not. Adam Kimelman has more on Kuraly’s performance and development. [NHL.com]
Corey S. examines the pros and cons of Jeff Skinner’s new six-year, $34.35 million contract. Skinner’s a great young player with a bright future but this makes that Logan Couture extension signed last year, that will pay the Sharks center about the same over the life of the deal as Skinner’s annual cap hit, look like that much more of a steal. [Shutdown Line]
Apart from Skinner himself, it’s a safe bet that no player was happier to learn about that contract than the Stars‘ Jamie Benn who remains unsigned as a restricted free agent. Could Dallas’ bull of a young center be even better next season? Josh Lile thinks so. [NHL Numbers]
Speaking of the Stars, if there’s one thing holding them back from being a solid playoff team in the coming year, it’s their defense. Jeff Angus takes a closer look at Dallas’ blueline. [Defending Big D]
Cam Charron believes the Leafs should trade Joffrey Lupul as soon as possible. [Leafs Nation]
More on Toronto-area hockey: the city of Markham, Ontario is moving ahead with plans to construct an NHL-caliber arena. [Pro Hockey Talk]
For whatever reason (perhaps because they’re still below the salary cap floor) Barry Trotz believes the Nashville Predators are a contender for Shane Doan. [The Tennessean]

Talking Points