Dallas Stars: Fabian Brunnstrom
Monday tidbits: Jeff Woywitka a Hab
August, 15, 2011
8/15/11
1:34
PM CT
By
Mark Stepneski | ESPNDallas.com
A few notes for a Monday afternoon:
*Jeff Woywitka has become the latest of the Dallas Stars unrestricted free agents to land a new job. The Montreal Canadiens announced today that they signed Woywitka to a one-year, two-way contract. Details are here.
*Former Star Fabian Brunnstrom reportedly is getting another crack at the NHL. The Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reported today that Brunnstrom, whom the Stars traded to Toronto last season, has signed a tryout contract with the Detroit Red Wings. The story (in Swedish) is here.
*Here’s a look at what’s happened with Dallas Stars players from 2010-11 who became unrestricted free agents on July 1. Among the NHL guys, Brandon Segal and Brian Sutherby are still unsigned.
*Jeff Woywitka has become the latest of the Dallas Stars unrestricted free agents to land a new job. The Montreal Canadiens announced today that they signed Woywitka to a one-year, two-way contract. Details are here.
*Former Star Fabian Brunnstrom reportedly is getting another crack at the NHL. The Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reported today that Brunnstrom, whom the Stars traded to Toronto last season, has signed a tryout contract with the Detroit Red Wings. The story (in Swedish) is here.
*Here’s a look at what’s happened with Dallas Stars players from 2010-11 who became unrestricted free agents on July 1. Among the NHL guys, Brandon Segal and Brian Sutherby are still unsigned.
Texas Stars/Idaho Steelheads Report
January, 17, 2011
1/17/11
5:45
PM CT
By
Mark Stepneski | ESPNDallas.com
The past week
The Texas Stars went 2-1-0 over the past week to improve to improve to 23-14-4 on the season. The Stars currently rank fifth in the AHL’s West Division based on points and are fourth based on points percentage.
The Stars opened the week with a 4-2 win at Chicago Wednesday. Richard Bachman stopped 32 shots and Fabian Brunnstrom had two goals and one assist in his last game with Texas before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Colton Sceviour also scored for Texas.
On Friday, the Stars lost 3-1 at Rockford. Sceviour scored the lone goal for Texas and Bachman stopped 30 of 32 shots.
Philip Larsen scored his first AHL goal and Tyler Beskorowany stopped 33 shots as the Stars won 3-1 at Peoria Saturday night. Brandon Segal, assigned to the AHL earlier in the week, scored his first goal since joining Texas.
The week ahead
Tuesday January 18, vs. Grand Rapids
Friday January 21, at Houston
Saturday January 22, vs. Milwaukee
Brunnstrom dealt
The Dallas Stars traded Texas forward Fabian Brunnstrom to the Toronto Maple Leafs for right wing Mikhail Stefanovich last week. Brunnstrom played 37 games with Texas this season, ranking fourth on the team with 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists).
Brunnstrom, signed as a free agent out of Sweden in 2008, played 99 NHL games with Dallas, registering 19 goals and 21 assists, including 17 goals in his rookie NHL season in 2008-09.
Brunnstrom was on a one-way contract that paid him $675,000, so he was still collecting the same salary even though he was in the AHL. Moving him to Toronto helped the Stars offset some of the salary they took on when they acquired Jamie Langenbrunner from New Jersey last week.
“It’s a good trade for Toronto,” said Dallas Stars coach Marc Crawford. “They are one of the few teams that has an advantage – they have money. They are using that advantage to take a gamble on a guy that scored 17 goals in the league … They are gambling on a guy they think is going to be a player.
“That trade has allowed us to bring in Jamie Langenbrunner. That’s a now trade for us and for Toronto, Fabian continues developing and growing. We all liked Fabian here. We all felt he missed that step. If he gone the opposite way, if he had started in the American League he’d be in the NHL now.”
Stefanovich is currently playing in the Russia’s KHL.
Morin an All-Star
Forward Travis Morin, who leads Texas in scoring with 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) and is tied for the team lead with a plus-11 rating, will be a starter for the Western Conference at the AHL All-Star Classic in Hershey, PA. The game will be played Monday January 31.
Transactions
*1/17 D Guillaume Monast assigned from Texas to Idaho (ECHL)
*1/17 G Adrien LeMay recalled to Texas from Allen (CHL)
*1/13 RW Fabian Brunnstrom recalled by Dallas (NHL), traded to Toronto (NHL)
*1/13 D Philip Larsen assigned to Texas from Dallas (NHL)
*1/11 RW Brandon Segal assigned to Texas from Dallas (NHL)
Idaho Steelheads
The Idaho Steelheads went 2-1-1 over the past week. The Steelheads are now 17-16-8 on the season. They are fourth in the ECHL’s Western Conference based on points and are in sixth place based on points percentage.
Here are the statistics for the Texas Stars and Dallas players in Idaho.
The Texas Stars went 2-1-0 over the past week to improve to improve to 23-14-4 on the season. The Stars currently rank fifth in the AHL’s West Division based on points and are fourth based on points percentage.
The Stars opened the week with a 4-2 win at Chicago Wednesday. Richard Bachman stopped 32 shots and Fabian Brunnstrom had two goals and one assist in his last game with Texas before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Colton Sceviour also scored for Texas.
On Friday, the Stars lost 3-1 at Rockford. Sceviour scored the lone goal for Texas and Bachman stopped 30 of 32 shots.
Philip Larsen scored his first AHL goal and Tyler Beskorowany stopped 33 shots as the Stars won 3-1 at Peoria Saturday night. Brandon Segal, assigned to the AHL earlier in the week, scored his first goal since joining Texas.
The week ahead
Tuesday January 18, vs. Grand Rapids
Friday January 21, at Houston
Saturday January 22, vs. Milwaukee
Brunnstrom dealt
The Dallas Stars traded Texas forward Fabian Brunnstrom to the Toronto Maple Leafs for right wing Mikhail Stefanovich last week. Brunnstrom played 37 games with Texas this season, ranking fourth on the team with 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists).
Brunnstrom, signed as a free agent out of Sweden in 2008, played 99 NHL games with Dallas, registering 19 goals and 21 assists, including 17 goals in his rookie NHL season in 2008-09.
Brunnstrom was on a one-way contract that paid him $675,000, so he was still collecting the same salary even though he was in the AHL. Moving him to Toronto helped the Stars offset some of the salary they took on when they acquired Jamie Langenbrunner from New Jersey last week.
“It’s a good trade for Toronto,” said Dallas Stars coach Marc Crawford. “They are one of the few teams that has an advantage – they have money. They are using that advantage to take a gamble on a guy that scored 17 goals in the league … They are gambling on a guy they think is going to be a player.
“That trade has allowed us to bring in Jamie Langenbrunner. That’s a now trade for us and for Toronto, Fabian continues developing and growing. We all liked Fabian here. We all felt he missed that step. If he gone the opposite way, if he had started in the American League he’d be in the NHL now.”
Stefanovich is currently playing in the Russia’s KHL.
Morin an All-Star
Forward Travis Morin, who leads Texas in scoring with 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) and is tied for the team lead with a plus-11 rating, will be a starter for the Western Conference at the AHL All-Star Classic in Hershey, PA. The game will be played Monday January 31.
Transactions
*1/17 D Guillaume Monast assigned from Texas to Idaho (ECHL)
*1/17 G Adrien LeMay recalled to Texas from Allen (CHL)
*1/13 RW Fabian Brunnstrom recalled by Dallas (NHL), traded to Toronto (NHL)
*1/13 D Philip Larsen assigned to Texas from Dallas (NHL)
*1/11 RW Brandon Segal assigned to Texas from Dallas (NHL)
Idaho Steelheads
The Idaho Steelheads went 2-1-1 over the past week. The Steelheads are now 17-16-8 on the season. They are fourth in the ECHL’s Western Conference based on points and are in sixth place based on points percentage.
Here are the statistics for the Texas Stars and Dallas players in Idaho.
Stars trade Fabian Brunnstrom to Toronto
January, 13, 2011
1/13/11
4:30
PM CT
By
Mark Stepneski | ESPNDallas.com
Fabian Brunnstrom’s days in the Dallas Stars organization are over. The Stars Thursday traded Brunnstrom to the Toronto Maple Leafs for right wing Mikhail Stefanovich, who is currently playing in Russia’s KHL.
Brunnstrom, a highly sought after free agent out of Sweden in 2008, had been playing for the Texas Stars of the AHL since early this season. He had 11 goals and 10 assists in 37 games with Texas. Brunnstrom is expected to join Toronto’s AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, this weekend.
The highly touted Brunnstrom never lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him when there were several teams pursuing him three years ago.
After signing with the Stars in the spring of 2008, Brunnstrom had an excellent rookie season in 2008-09, registering 17 goals in 55 games with Dallas. His second season didn’t go quite as well. In 2009-10 registered only 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) in 44 games. He was slowed by injuries and found himself a healthy scratch quite a few times as well. There were a couple of conditioning assignments in the AHL.
He had a strong start at the Stars training camp in Prince Edward Island this season, but he faded and could never secure a spot in the lineup. The Stars finally decided that he needed time in the American Hockey League. They put him on waivers October 15, he cleared the next day and was assigned to the AHL, where he has been ever since.
Thursday’s trade saves some money for the Stars, who added about $1.4 million to their payroll with the recent acquisition of Jamie Langenbrunner in a trade with New Jersey.
Brunnstrom is on a one-way contract, which pays him the same whether he plays in the NHL or AHL. He was making $675,000, so the Stars will no longer be paying his salary for the rest of the season. They also saved some money when they moved Brandon Segal to the AHL. Segal is on a two-way contract, which pays him $130,000 in the minors compared to the $550,000 he makes at the NHL level.
Stefanovich, who comes to the Stars in the deal with the Maple Leafs, is currently playing with Minsk Dynamo of the KHL, where he has one goal and a minus-two rating in 15 games. The 21-year-old native of Belarus, also played two games this season for the Toronto Marlies in the AHL, registering no points. He logged 4 games with the Reading of the ECHL, picking up three goals and two assists.
Stefanovich, a fourth round (98th overall) pick by the Maple Leafs in 2008, played three seasons for the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he had 210 points (106 goals, 104 assists) in 171 games.
Brunnstrom, a highly sought after free agent out of Sweden in 2008, had been playing for the Texas Stars of the AHL since early this season. He had 11 goals and 10 assists in 37 games with Texas. Brunnstrom is expected to join Toronto’s AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, this weekend.
The highly touted Brunnstrom never lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him when there were several teams pursuing him three years ago.
After signing with the Stars in the spring of 2008, Brunnstrom had an excellent rookie season in 2008-09, registering 17 goals in 55 games with Dallas. His second season didn’t go quite as well. In 2009-10 registered only 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) in 44 games. He was slowed by injuries and found himself a healthy scratch quite a few times as well. There were a couple of conditioning assignments in the AHL.
He had a strong start at the Stars training camp in Prince Edward Island this season, but he faded and could never secure a spot in the lineup. The Stars finally decided that he needed time in the American Hockey League. They put him on waivers October 15, he cleared the next day and was assigned to the AHL, where he has been ever since.
Thursday’s trade saves some money for the Stars, who added about $1.4 million to their payroll with the recent acquisition of Jamie Langenbrunner in a trade with New Jersey.
Brunnstrom is on a one-way contract, which pays him the same whether he plays in the NHL or AHL. He was making $675,000, so the Stars will no longer be paying his salary for the rest of the season. They also saved some money when they moved Brandon Segal to the AHL. Segal is on a two-way contract, which pays him $130,000 in the minors compared to the $550,000 he makes at the NHL level.
Stefanovich, who comes to the Stars in the deal with the Maple Leafs, is currently playing with Minsk Dynamo of the KHL, where he has one goal and a minus-two rating in 15 games. The 21-year-old native of Belarus, also played two games this season for the Toronto Marlies in the AHL, registering no points. He logged 4 games with the Reading of the ECHL, picking up three goals and two assists.
Stefanovich, a fourth round (98th overall) pick by the Maple Leafs in 2008, played three seasons for the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he had 210 points (106 goals, 104 assists) in 171 games.
Texas Stars/Idaho Steelheads report
January, 10, 2011
1/10/11
5:58
PM CT
By
Mark Stepneski | ESPNDallas.com
The past week
The Texas Stars went 0-2-0 over the past week. The Stars are now 21-13-4 and are in fourth place in the AHL’s West Division based both on points and points percentage.
In San Antonio on Friday, Fabian Brunnstrom ran his goal scoring streak to four games when he tallied 4:20 into the game to give Texas a 1-0 lead. But San Antonio scored five unanswered goals the rest of the way to beat Texas 5-1, ending the Stars’ seven-game points streak. Richard Bachman made 17 saves.
Saturday at Cedar Park Center, Lake Erie scored early in the second and two more times in the third period to build a 3-0 lead on the Stars. Aaron Gagnon scored with 2:40 remaining to make it a 3-1 final score. Bachman stopped 26 of 29 shots.
The Stars hit the road this week for three games.
The week ahead
Wednesday January 12, at Chicago
Friday January 14, at Rockford
Saturday January 15, at Peoria
Notes
*G Richard Bachman ranks ninth in the AHL with a 2.21 goals against average and is seventh with a .926 save percentage.
*The Stars are averaging 2.87 goals per game, which ranks 17th in the AHL.
*The Stars are giving up 2.68 goals per game, which ranks 9th in the AHL.
*Texas ranks 19th in the AHL in power play efficiency at 16.0 percent.
*Texas ranks 27th in the AHL in penalty killing at 77.6 percent.
*G Brent Krahn (leg) and D Severin Blindenbacher (undisclosed) remain out for Texas.
Transactions
*1/8: D Guillaume Monast recalled to Texas (AHL) from Idaho (ECHL)
*1/6: D Philip Larsen recalled by Dallas
Idaho Steelheads
The Idaho Steelheads went 2-2-0 this past week and are 15-15-7 on the season. The Steelheads currently rank third in the Mountain Division and fifth in the Western Conference. LW Michael Neal picked up three assists in four games last week.
Here are the statistics for the Texas Stars and Dallas players in Idaho.
The Texas Stars went 0-2-0 over the past week. The Stars are now 21-13-4 and are in fourth place in the AHL’s West Division based both on points and points percentage.
In San Antonio on Friday, Fabian Brunnstrom ran his goal scoring streak to four games when he tallied 4:20 into the game to give Texas a 1-0 lead. But San Antonio scored five unanswered goals the rest of the way to beat Texas 5-1, ending the Stars’ seven-game points streak. Richard Bachman made 17 saves.
Saturday at Cedar Park Center, Lake Erie scored early in the second and two more times in the third period to build a 3-0 lead on the Stars. Aaron Gagnon scored with 2:40 remaining to make it a 3-1 final score. Bachman stopped 26 of 29 shots.
The Stars hit the road this week for three games.
The week ahead
Wednesday January 12, at Chicago
Friday January 14, at Rockford
Saturday January 15, at Peoria
Notes
*G Richard Bachman ranks ninth in the AHL with a 2.21 goals against average and is seventh with a .926 save percentage.
*The Stars are averaging 2.87 goals per game, which ranks 17th in the AHL.
*The Stars are giving up 2.68 goals per game, which ranks 9th in the AHL.
*Texas ranks 19th in the AHL in power play efficiency at 16.0 percent.
*Texas ranks 27th in the AHL in penalty killing at 77.6 percent.
*G Brent Krahn (leg) and D Severin Blindenbacher (undisclosed) remain out for Texas.
Transactions
*1/8: D Guillaume Monast recalled to Texas (AHL) from Idaho (ECHL)
*1/6: D Philip Larsen recalled by Dallas
Idaho Steelheads
The Idaho Steelheads went 2-2-0 this past week and are 15-15-7 on the season. The Steelheads currently rank third in the Mountain Division and fifth in the Western Conference. LW Michael Neal picked up three assists in four games last week.
Here are the statistics for the Texas Stars and Dallas players in Idaho.
Texas Stars/Idaho Steelheads report
January, 3, 2011
1/03/11
2:08
PM CT
By
Mark Stepneski | ESPNDallas.com
The past week:
The Texas Stars were on the road the past week and won all three of their games, improving to 21-11-4 on the season and pulling to within one point of the West Division lead. The Stars have won three straight and have points in seven straight games (5-0-2).
They opened the week with a 4-3 shootout win at Oklahoma City on Tuesday. The Stars rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the game. Tomas Vincour scored early in the third to make it 3-2 and Fabian Brunnstrom scored with 49 seconds left to tie it. Vincour, Colton Sceviour and Mathieu Tousignant scored in the shootout. Richard Bachman made 32 saves in the game and stopped three of five in the shootout.
On Thursday, the Stars won 4-1 at Abbotsford behind a 38-save performance from Bachman. Vincour, Brunnstrom, Ondrej Roman and Luke Gazdic scored for the Stars.
On New Year’s Eve, the Stars won again in Abbotsford as Tyler Beskorowany stopped 25 shots for his first AHL shutout in a 3-0 victory. Brunnstrom, Tousignant and Ray Sawada were the goal scorers.
The week ahead:
Friday, Jan. 7, at San Antonio
Saturday January 8, vs. Lake Erie
Notes
*Stars goalie Richard Bachman ranks seventh in the AHL in goals against average (2.03) and sixth in save percentage (.933).
*Goalie Tyler Beskorowany has stopped 169 of 179 shots over his last five starts for a .944 save percentage.
*Defenseman Philip Larsen is a plus-9 over his last 14 games.
*In his last 19 games forward Colton Sceviour has 5 goals, 8 assists and a plus-7 rating.
*Fabian Brunnstrom has scored goals in his last three games.
*Brunnstrom’s last two goals were both game-winners and he’s now tied for second in the league with four game-winning goals this season.
*G Brent Krahn (leg) and D Severin Blindenbacher (undisclosed) remain out for Texas.
Transactions
*12/31: C Tristan King assigned from Texas (AHL) to Idaho (ECHL)
*12/30: C Aaron Gagnon assigned to Texas (AHL) by Dallas (NHL)
*12/27: C Aaron Gagnon recalled to Dallas (NHL) from Texas (AHL)
Idaho Steelheads
The Idaho Steelheads went 0-3-1 last week, losing a pair of games in regulation at Alaska and then dropping two games to Bakersfield in Boise, including one in a shootout. The Steelheads are 13-13-7 on the season and currently rank third in the Mountain Division and 5th in the Western Conference.
Here are the statistics for the Texas Stars and Dallas players in Idaho.
The Texas Stars were on the road the past week and won all three of their games, improving to 21-11-4 on the season and pulling to within one point of the West Division lead. The Stars have won three straight and have points in seven straight games (5-0-2).
They opened the week with a 4-3 shootout win at Oklahoma City on Tuesday. The Stars rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the game. Tomas Vincour scored early in the third to make it 3-2 and Fabian Brunnstrom scored with 49 seconds left to tie it. Vincour, Colton Sceviour and Mathieu Tousignant scored in the shootout. Richard Bachman made 32 saves in the game and stopped three of five in the shootout.
On Thursday, the Stars won 4-1 at Abbotsford behind a 38-save performance from Bachman. Vincour, Brunnstrom, Ondrej Roman and Luke Gazdic scored for the Stars.
On New Year’s Eve, the Stars won again in Abbotsford as Tyler Beskorowany stopped 25 shots for his first AHL shutout in a 3-0 victory. Brunnstrom, Tousignant and Ray Sawada were the goal scorers.
The week ahead:
Friday, Jan. 7, at San Antonio
Saturday January 8, vs. Lake Erie
Notes
*Stars goalie Richard Bachman ranks seventh in the AHL in goals against average (2.03) and sixth in save percentage (.933).
*Goalie Tyler Beskorowany has stopped 169 of 179 shots over his last five starts for a .944 save percentage.
*Defenseman Philip Larsen is a plus-9 over his last 14 games.
*In his last 19 games forward Colton Sceviour has 5 goals, 8 assists and a plus-7 rating.
*Fabian Brunnstrom has scored goals in his last three games.
*Brunnstrom’s last two goals were both game-winners and he’s now tied for second in the league with four game-winning goals this season.
*G Brent Krahn (leg) and D Severin Blindenbacher (undisclosed) remain out for Texas.
Transactions
*12/31: C Tristan King assigned from Texas (AHL) to Idaho (ECHL)
*12/30: C Aaron Gagnon assigned to Texas (AHL) by Dallas (NHL)
*12/27: C Aaron Gagnon recalled to Dallas (NHL) from Texas (AHL)
Idaho Steelheads
The Idaho Steelheads went 0-3-1 last week, losing a pair of games in regulation at Alaska and then dropping two games to Bakersfield in Boise, including one in a shootout. The Steelheads are 13-13-7 on the season and currently rank third in the Mountain Division and 5th in the Western Conference.
Here are the statistics for the Texas Stars and Dallas players in Idaho.
Texas Stars/Idaho Steelheads report
November, 1, 2010
11/01/10
11:25
PM CT
By
Mark Stepneski | ESPNDallas.com
The past week
The Texas Stars played five games in a six-day span over the past week and managed to go 3-2-0. It finished a stretch where they played seven games in ten days and went 4-3-0. The Stars are now 6-4-0 on the season.
Last week’s play started off in Cedar Park, where the Stars defeated Peoria 3-0 on Tuesday behind a 38-save shutout by Richard Bachman, who was making his first start of the season. “The guys were great in front of me, clearing rebounds, blocking shots, and let me settle into the game," Bachman told the Austin American Statesman. "They picked up sticks and let me see shots.” Travis Morin was among the goal scorers for Texas.
On Wednesday the Stars hit the road and defeated Rockford 4-3 in a shootout. Mathieu Tousignant scored the winner in the 9th round of the skills competition. Brent Krahn stopped 28 shots in the game and 7 of 9 in the shootout. Aaron Gagnon, Maxime Fortunus and Tristan King scored in regulation. It was King’s first professional goal.
The Stars won their third straight game, winning 4-3 at Chicago on Thursday. Fabian Brunnstrom scored the game-winner at 1:08 of the third period for Texas. Richard Bachman stopped 40 of 43 shots for his second win of the season. King, Tousignant and Fortunus also scored for Texas.
The Stars returned home Saturday and loss 3-1 to Houston. Brunnstrom scored the lone goal for Texas and Bachman stopped 14 of 17 shots in taking his first loss of the season.
In Houston on Sunday, the Stars lost 4-2. Tousignant and Francis Wathier scored the goals and Bachman stopped 24 shots in falling to 2-2-0 on the season.
The Stars don’t play again until the weekend, when the play games on Friday and Saturday.
The week ahead
Friday November 5, at Oklahoma City
Saturday November 6, vs. Toronto
Notes
The Idaho Steelheads went 1-1-1 over the past week in a three-game set against the Utah Grizzlies in Boise. The Steelheads are 2-2-2-1 on the season.
Tyler Beskorowany got all three starts for the Steelheads and stopped 85 of 91 shots. He is now 2-2-2 on the season with a 2.49 goals against average and a .923 save percentage. He ranks 7th in the ECHL in save percentage and 12th in goals against average.
Idaho plays at Victoria on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday this week.
Here are the statistics for the Texas Stars and Dallas players in Idaho.
The Texas Stars played five games in a six-day span over the past week and managed to go 3-2-0. It finished a stretch where they played seven games in ten days and went 4-3-0. The Stars are now 6-4-0 on the season.
Last week’s play started off in Cedar Park, where the Stars defeated Peoria 3-0 on Tuesday behind a 38-save shutout by Richard Bachman, who was making his first start of the season. “The guys were great in front of me, clearing rebounds, blocking shots, and let me settle into the game," Bachman told the Austin American Statesman. "They picked up sticks and let me see shots.” Travis Morin was among the goal scorers for Texas.
On Wednesday the Stars hit the road and defeated Rockford 4-3 in a shootout. Mathieu Tousignant scored the winner in the 9th round of the skills competition. Brent Krahn stopped 28 shots in the game and 7 of 9 in the shootout. Aaron Gagnon, Maxime Fortunus and Tristan King scored in regulation. It was King’s first professional goal.
The Stars won their third straight game, winning 4-3 at Chicago on Thursday. Fabian Brunnstrom scored the game-winner at 1:08 of the third period for Texas. Richard Bachman stopped 40 of 43 shots for his second win of the season. King, Tousignant and Fortunus also scored for Texas.
The Stars returned home Saturday and loss 3-1 to Houston. Brunnstrom scored the lone goal for Texas and Bachman stopped 14 of 17 shots in taking his first loss of the season.
In Houston on Sunday, the Stars lost 4-2. Tousignant and Francis Wathier scored the goals and Bachman stopped 24 shots in falling to 2-2-0 on the season.
The Stars don’t play again until the weekend, when the play games on Friday and Saturday.
The week ahead
Friday November 5, at Oklahoma City
Saturday November 6, vs. Toronto
Notes
- Texas is ranked 10th in the AHL in scoring at 2.60 goals per game.
- The Stars are ranked 18th in goals against at 2.70 goals per game.
- Texas is 3-32 on the power play over its last seven games and is ranked 21st in the league at 12.8 percent (6-47).
- The Stars are ranked 20th in penalty killing at 81.1 percent (30-37).
- D Severin Blindenbacher has missed seven games with concussion-like symptoms following a minor car accident in Austin
- RW Ray Sawada has missed nine games with an undisclosed injury
- G Brent Krahn missed time due to what was said be illness
- 10/31: D Guillaume Monast was assigned to Idaho (ECHL)
- 10/31: G Joel Paprocki added to roster
- 10/29: D Philip Larsen assigned to Texas by Dallas (NHL)
- 10/27: D Guillaume Monast recalled to Texas from Idaho (ECHL)
- 10/27: D Philip Larsen recalled by Dallas (NHL)
The Idaho Steelheads went 1-1-1 over the past week in a three-game set against the Utah Grizzlies in Boise. The Steelheads are 2-2-2-1 on the season.
Tyler Beskorowany got all three starts for the Steelheads and stopped 85 of 91 shots. He is now 2-2-2 on the season with a 2.49 goals against average and a .923 save percentage. He ranks 7th in the ECHL in save percentage and 12th in goals against average.
Idaho plays at Victoria on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday this week.
Here are the statistics for the Texas Stars and Dallas players in Idaho.
Texas Stars/Idaho Steelheads report
October, 18, 2010
10/18/10
3:54
PM CT
By
Mark Stepneski | ESPNDallas.com
The past week
The Texas Stars (2-1-0-0) played two games the past week as they opened a five-game homestand, winning one and losing one.
On Saturday, the Stars won their home opener, defeating San Antonio 5-4 in overtime before a crowd of 6,302 at Cedar Park Center. Scott McCulloch scored two goals, including the overtime winner. Aaron Gagnon, Francis Wathier and Ondrej Roman also scored. It was Roman’s first AHL goal. Travis Morin had two assists. Tomas Vincour, who missed the season opener due to illness, picked up his first AHL assist in the game and defenseman Philip Larsen notched his first AHL assist as well. Brent Krahn had 26 saves.
On Sunday, the Stars lost 5-2 to Peoria at Cedar Park Center. Krahn got pulled after 30:05 of work and allowing four goals on 18 shots. Richard Bachman saw his first action of the season, stopping 12 of 13 shots in 29:55 of ice time. McCulloch and Morin scored the Texas goals. Severin Blindenbacher registered his first AHL assist. Larsen picked up his second assist of the season. Fabian Brunnstrom, assigned to Texas earlier in the day, had no points, two shots and a minus-two rating. He played on line with Greg Rallo and Colton Sceviour.
The week ahead
Friday October 22: vs. Lake Erie
Saturday, October 23: vs. Peoria
Notes
The Idaho Steelheads opened the season with two games at home against the Victoria Salmon Kings, winning one and losing one.
On Friday, Tyler Beskorowany stopped all 24 shots he faced to earn a shutout in his first professional game as the Steelheads topped the Salmon Kings 5-0.
”If he doesn’t make a couple big saves in the first 10 minutes, it could have turned into a very, very different game,“ Steelheads coach Hardy Sauter told the Idaho Statesman.
Said Beskorowany: ”I was stretching before the game and the legs were shaking. But after that I calmed down and played my game.“
Michael Neal was among the goals scorers for Idaho in the game.
On Sunday, the Steelheads lost 4-0 to Victoria. Beskorowany only lasted 31:37 in this game, getting pulled after allowing four goals on 20 shots.
“We didn’t give him a whole lot of help,” Sauter told the Statesman. “One of those goals I didn’t like. But the other goals? They were hockey goals.”
Idaho plays two games at Alaska this coming weekend.
Here are the statistics for the Texas Stars and Dallas players in Idaho.
The Texas Stars (2-1-0-0) played two games the past week as they opened a five-game homestand, winning one and losing one.
On Saturday, the Stars won their home opener, defeating San Antonio 5-4 in overtime before a crowd of 6,302 at Cedar Park Center. Scott McCulloch scored two goals, including the overtime winner. Aaron Gagnon, Francis Wathier and Ondrej Roman also scored. It was Roman’s first AHL goal. Travis Morin had two assists. Tomas Vincour, who missed the season opener due to illness, picked up his first AHL assist in the game and defenseman Philip Larsen notched his first AHL assist as well. Brent Krahn had 26 saves.
On Sunday, the Stars lost 5-2 to Peoria at Cedar Park Center. Krahn got pulled after 30:05 of work and allowing four goals on 18 shots. Richard Bachman saw his first action of the season, stopping 12 of 13 shots in 29:55 of ice time. McCulloch and Morin scored the Texas goals. Severin Blindenbacher registered his first AHL assist. Larsen picked up his second assist of the season. Fabian Brunnstrom, assigned to Texas earlier in the day, had no points, two shots and a minus-two rating. He played on line with Greg Rallo and Colton Sceviour.
The week ahead
Friday October 22: vs. Lake Erie
Saturday, October 23: vs. Peoria
Notes
- Travis Morin has registered a point in each of Texas’ first three games (3 goals, 2 assists)
- Morin is tied for fifth in the league with a plus-five rating
- The Stars are 4-16 (25.0%) on the power play through their first three games
- The Stars are 9-12 (75.0%) on the penalty kill through their first three games
- 10/17: C Aaron Gagnon recalled by Dallas (NHL)
- 10/17: LW Fabian Brunnstrom assigned to Texas by Dallas (NHL)
The Idaho Steelheads opened the season with two games at home against the Victoria Salmon Kings, winning one and losing one.
On Friday, Tyler Beskorowany stopped all 24 shots he faced to earn a shutout in his first professional game as the Steelheads topped the Salmon Kings 5-0.
”If he doesn’t make a couple big saves in the first 10 minutes, it could have turned into a very, very different game,“ Steelheads coach Hardy Sauter told the Idaho Statesman.
Said Beskorowany: ”I was stretching before the game and the legs were shaking. But after that I calmed down and played my game.“
Michael Neal was among the goals scorers for Idaho in the game.
On Sunday, the Steelheads lost 4-0 to Victoria. Beskorowany only lasted 31:37 in this game, getting pulled after allowing four goals on 20 shots.
“We didn’t give him a whole lot of help,” Sauter told the Statesman. “One of those goals I didn’t like. But the other goals? They were hockey goals.”
Idaho plays two games at Alaska this coming weekend.
Here are the statistics for the Texas Stars and Dallas players in Idaho.
Here are some notes from Sunday's practice.
Jamie Benn (concussion-like symptoms) went through a full practice and looked good. He's day-to-day. He'll be traveling with the team on the trip to Florida and if he isn't ready by Monday he looks like a good possibility by Thursday.
"We'll probably make a decision on him tomorrow. He looked very good today," Stars coach Marc Crawford. "He's really chomping at the bit. He's doing some extra skating [today], so you're really trying to ramp him up and push him to the limits to make sure there is no counter-reaction to what's been happening. So far he's cleared all the steps along the way. He's progressing and we'll make the decision tomorrow. I would think for sure by Thursday."
As expected, the Stars sent Fabian Brunnstrom to the Texas Stars. They also recalled center Aaron Gagnon from Texas. Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk said Gagnon will probably play Monday against Tampa Bay. Crawford said Gagnon should help on the trip.
"We're playing against some good skating clubs in Tampa Bay and in Florida. We wanted to make sure we had a real good skating forward," Crawford said. "Aaron played so well for us in the preseason. We have a lot of confidence in him."
Steve Ott did not practice today. Crawford said Ott was a little sore and needed a maintenance day. Crawford said Ott will play Monday in Tampa.
Here was Sunday's practice lineup:
Neal-Richards-Eriksson
Morrow-Ribeiro-Burish
Sutherby-Benn-Petersen
Barch-Wandell-Segal
Grossman-Robidas
Fistric-Daley
Skrastins-Niskanen
Woywitka
Lehtonen
Raycroft
Jamie Benn (concussion-like symptoms) went through a full practice and looked good. He's day-to-day. He'll be traveling with the team on the trip to Florida and if he isn't ready by Monday he looks like a good possibility by Thursday.
"We'll probably make a decision on him tomorrow. He looked very good today," Stars coach Marc Crawford. "He's really chomping at the bit. He's doing some extra skating [today], so you're really trying to ramp him up and push him to the limits to make sure there is no counter-reaction to what's been happening. So far he's cleared all the steps along the way. He's progressing and we'll make the decision tomorrow. I would think for sure by Thursday."
As expected, the Stars sent Fabian Brunnstrom to the Texas Stars. They also recalled center Aaron Gagnon from Texas. Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk said Gagnon will probably play Monday against Tampa Bay. Crawford said Gagnon should help on the trip.
"We're playing against some good skating clubs in Tampa Bay and in Florida. We wanted to make sure we had a real good skating forward," Crawford said. "Aaron played so well for us in the preseason. We have a lot of confidence in him."
Steve Ott did not practice today. Crawford said Ott was a little sore and needed a maintenance day. Crawford said Ott will play Monday in Tampa.
Here was Sunday's practice lineup:
Neal-Richards-Eriksson
Morrow-Ribeiro-Burish
Sutherby-Benn-Petersen
Barch-Wandell-Segal
Grossman-Robidas
Fistric-Daley
Skrastins-Niskanen
Woywitka
Lehtonen
Raycroft
The Dallas Stars are recalling forward Aaron Gagnon from the Texas Stars of the AHL today and have sent forward Fabian Brunnstrom, who cleared waivers, down to Texas.
Gagnon, who has one goal and one assist in two games for Texas, is expected to play against Tampa Bay Monday night.
Jamie Benn, who has missed the Stars' last two games with concussion-like symptoms, remains day-to-day.
Gagnon, who has one goal and one assist in two games for Texas, is expected to play against Tampa Bay Monday night.
Jamie Benn, who has missed the Stars' last two games with concussion-like symptoms, remains day-to-day.
Fabian Brunnstrom clears waivers
October, 16, 2010
10/16/10
12:00
PM CT
By
Mark Stepneski | ESPNDallas.com
Stars forward Fabian Brunnstrom cleared waivers this morning and will be headed to the Texas Stars of the AHL, most likely on Sunday.
Stars coach Marc Crawford believes the time in the AHL will benefit Brunnstrom, who hasn't been able to crack the Stars lineup this season after struggling all of last season. Brunnstrom will get plenty of ice time in key situations and, Crawford said, he should get some more valuable experience.
"It's about the journey and getting street smart in the ways of hockey," said Crawford. "That's going through the tough developmental periods of major junior hockey or a tough college weekend or the American League with three in three nights. You've just got to survive and find a way to forge through. That's the one part of the game that's missing from Fabian's repertoire. We all know he has skill, great puck protection skills and pretty good creativity. There's a knock on him and that is on that combative, dig in and fight through turmoil that is a big part of a lot of games. Guys that become good in the National Hockey League become good at it. They learn how to accept it and to deal with it."
Benn skates with team, status is day-to-day
Stars forward Jamie Benn (concussion-like symptoms) skated with the team for the first time since being knocked out of action last Saturday by a hard hit from New York Islanders defenseman James Wisniewski.
"I feel great," said Benn. "I had a couple of headaches after the game. I got hit pretty good there. I am just taking my time getting back. You really can't rush these things."
Benn is out for tonight's game against St. Louis and he is considered day-to-day at this point. The Stars next game after tonight is Monday at Tampa Bay.
"I am not sure about Monday," Benn said. We'll see day-to-day how I feel."
Stars coach Marc Crawford said the team will do what's best for Benn, so they aren't setting a timetable for his return.
"It is day-to-day," Crawford said. "It's difficult to put a schedule on it. Being early in the season you want to do the right thing. There's so much more information, not only from the medical standpoint but also the players are making sure they are doing the right things when your head has an injury."
Tonight's game
Don't forget, tonight's game has been changed to a 7:30 p.m.
Kari Lehtonen will start in goal.
With Jamie Benn still out and Fabian Brunnstrom to the AHL, the Stars have 12 healthy forwards. That means the lineup should look a lot like the last night.
Stars coach Marc Crawford believes the time in the AHL will benefit Brunnstrom, who hasn't been able to crack the Stars lineup this season after struggling all of last season. Brunnstrom will get plenty of ice time in key situations and, Crawford said, he should get some more valuable experience.
"It's about the journey and getting street smart in the ways of hockey," said Crawford. "That's going through the tough developmental periods of major junior hockey or a tough college weekend or the American League with three in three nights. You've just got to survive and find a way to forge through. That's the one part of the game that's missing from Fabian's repertoire. We all know he has skill, great puck protection skills and pretty good creativity. There's a knock on him and that is on that combative, dig in and fight through turmoil that is a big part of a lot of games. Guys that become good in the National Hockey League become good at it. They learn how to accept it and to deal with it."
Benn skates with team, status is day-to-day
Stars forward Jamie Benn (concussion-like symptoms) skated with the team for the first time since being knocked out of action last Saturday by a hard hit from New York Islanders defenseman James Wisniewski.
"I feel great," said Benn. "I had a couple of headaches after the game. I got hit pretty good there. I am just taking my time getting back. You really can't rush these things."
Benn is out for tonight's game against St. Louis and he is considered day-to-day at this point. The Stars next game after tonight is Monday at Tampa Bay.
"I am not sure about Monday," Benn said. We'll see day-to-day how I feel."
Stars coach Marc Crawford said the team will do what's best for Benn, so they aren't setting a timetable for his return.
"It is day-to-day," Crawford said. "It's difficult to put a schedule on it. Being early in the season you want to do the right thing. There's so much more information, not only from the medical standpoint but also the players are making sure they are doing the right things when your head has an injury."
Tonight's game
Don't forget, tonight's game has been changed to a 7:30 p.m.
Kari Lehtonen will start in goal.
With Jamie Benn still out and Fabian Brunnstrom to the AHL, the Stars have 12 healthy forwards. That means the lineup should look a lot like the last night.
Stars put Fabian Brunnstrom on waivers
October, 15, 2010
10/15/10
1:28
PM CT
By
Mark Stepneski | ESPNDallas.com
The Dallas Stars put Fabian Brunnstrom on waivers on Friday and if he clears he will head to the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League.
"He's cool with it. He needs to play," said Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk. "He's not playing right now, the team's going well. He wouldn't have been in the lineup tomorrow. So, we put him on waivers today."
The Stars did try to trade Brunnstrom, who struggled to find a niche with the team last season and has been a healthy scratch in the first three games this season.
"We'll see what happens on the wire. I know there are some teams interested, but I don't know whether they'll claim him," Nieuwendyk said. "I think it's just important that he gets playing again. It's hard from his standpoint to be a part-time player. Either way, we have to get him in games. Austin will be a good fit for him, if that's the case."
If Brunnstrom goes to Austin there's a good chance he'll be there for a while.
"Our intentions would be to leave him there for quite some time to get his game in order, get him play 18, 19, 20 minutes a night," Nieuwendyk said.
Nieuwendyk had a long talk with Brunnstrom on the bench following the team's practice in Frisco Friday morning.
"I just want to play," Brunnstrom said. "Of course, I want to play in the NHL. I just want to play, have some fun, get the rhythm going and start over."
Brunnstrom scored 17 goals in 2008-09, his first season in the NHL. Last season he struggled, scoring just 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) in 44 games. He had a strong start to training camp this year, but then tailed off and has been unable to find a spot in the lineup.
"Last year was really tough. I started out pretty good this year, but kind of the same thing. It's frustrating," Brunnstrom said. "What can you do? I just want to start over, get a fresh start and work from there."
Teams have until Saturday at 11 a.m. Central Time to claim Brunnstrom. If no one claims him he'll head to the AHL.
"He's cool with it. He needs to play," said Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk. "He's not playing right now, the team's going well. He wouldn't have been in the lineup tomorrow. So, we put him on waivers today."
The Stars did try to trade Brunnstrom, who struggled to find a niche with the team last season and has been a healthy scratch in the first three games this season.
"We'll see what happens on the wire. I know there are some teams interested, but I don't know whether they'll claim him," Nieuwendyk said. "I think it's just important that he gets playing again. It's hard from his standpoint to be a part-time player. Either way, we have to get him in games. Austin will be a good fit for him, if that's the case."
If Brunnstrom goes to Austin there's a good chance he'll be there for a while.
"Our intentions would be to leave him there for quite some time to get his game in order, get him play 18, 19, 20 minutes a night," Nieuwendyk said.
Nieuwendyk had a long talk with Brunnstrom on the bench following the team's practice in Frisco Friday morning.
"I just want to play," Brunnstrom said. "Of course, I want to play in the NHL. I just want to play, have some fun, get the rhythm going and start over."
Brunnstrom scored 17 goals in 2008-09, his first season in the NHL. Last season he struggled, scoring just 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) in 44 games. He had a strong start to training camp this year, but then tailed off and has been unable to find a spot in the lineup.
"Last year was really tough. I started out pretty good this year, but kind of the same thing. It's frustrating," Brunnstrom said. "What can you do? I just want to start over, get a fresh start and work from there."
Teams have until Saturday at 11 a.m. Central Time to claim Brunnstrom. If no one claims him he'll head to the AHL.
Crawford pleased with camp scrimmage
September, 19, 2010
9/19/10
4:53
PM CT
By
Mark Stepneski | ESPNDallas.com
CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island -- Stars coach Marc Crawford liked what he saw from his team’s scrimmage Sunday afternoon at the Charlottetown Civic Center.
Team Black beat Team White 5-3. James Neal’s penalty shot goal with 6:27 proved to be the game winner for Team Black.
“Lots of positives, very few negatives,” Crawford said after watching the scrimmage from the press box area. “For a scrimmage it had everything you’d want. It had some good goals, guys working and it had a fight at the end between our two tough guys (Krys Barch and Luke Gazdic). It was a tough day for them and they put in a good effort. It was a good evaluation tool. “
Crawford liked what he saw from goaltender Kari Lehtonen, especially in the first period of the scrimmage. Lehtonen stopped all 12 shots he faced in his first 20 minutes of action. Richard Bachman was impressive too, not allowing any goals while playing about half of the 60 minute scrimmage.
Andrew Raycroft and Brent Krahn, who will battle to backup Lehtonen this season, had their ups and downs.
“I thought Lehtonen was outstanding early and I really liked young Bachman. I thought the other guys (Raycroft and Krahn) were fine for a second day,” Crawford said. “I am sure they would have liked to be a little bit better, but that will be a battle that will happen all through camp.”
Mike Ribeiro, who had two assists – both on Brenden Morrow goals – drew rave reviews from Crawford.
“Up front, I thought Ribeiro was arguably the best player on the ice,” Crawford said.
Jonathan Cheechoo, who is in camp on a tryout basis, is getting a look at right win on that line with Morrow and Ribeiro.
“Cheechoo was OK there,” said Crawford. “He went to the net and helped create a goal there.”
The line of Fabian Brunnstrom, Jamie Benn and Steve Ott chipped in three goals for Team Black.
“I liked what we saw from Bruno,” Crawford said of Brunnstrom, who played left wing on that line today. “We knew that he was going to have a good camp and he looks good right now. … I liked that line of Ott, Brunnstrom and Benn.”
Among the forwards, Crawford also noted the play of center Aaron Gagnon and prospects Tomas Vincour and Scott Glennie.
Trevor Daley received high marks from Crawford for his play during the scrimmage and among the new faces on defense, Severin Blindenbacher got noticed.
Scrimmage stats (unofficial):
Goal scorers: Morrow (2), Petersen, Brunnstrom, Petersen, Neal, Benn, Ott, Richards
Assists: Ribeiro (2), Robidas, Daley, Brunnstrom, Coyle, Barch, Neal, Eriksson
Team Black beat Team White 5-3. James Neal’s penalty shot goal with 6:27 proved to be the game winner for Team Black.
“Lots of positives, very few negatives,” Crawford said after watching the scrimmage from the press box area. “For a scrimmage it had everything you’d want. It had some good goals, guys working and it had a fight at the end between our two tough guys (Krys Barch and Luke Gazdic). It was a tough day for them and they put in a good effort. It was a good evaluation tool. “
Crawford liked what he saw from goaltender Kari Lehtonen, especially in the first period of the scrimmage. Lehtonen stopped all 12 shots he faced in his first 20 minutes of action. Richard Bachman was impressive too, not allowing any goals while playing about half of the 60 minute scrimmage.
Andrew Raycroft and Brent Krahn, who will battle to backup Lehtonen this season, had their ups and downs.
“I thought Lehtonen was outstanding early and I really liked young Bachman. I thought the other guys (Raycroft and Krahn) were fine for a second day,” Crawford said. “I am sure they would have liked to be a little bit better, but that will be a battle that will happen all through camp.”
Mike Ribeiro, who had two assists – both on Brenden Morrow goals – drew rave reviews from Crawford.
“Up front, I thought Ribeiro was arguably the best player on the ice,” Crawford said.
Jonathan Cheechoo, who is in camp on a tryout basis, is getting a look at right win on that line with Morrow and Ribeiro.
“Cheechoo was OK there,” said Crawford. “He went to the net and helped create a goal there.”
The line of Fabian Brunnstrom, Jamie Benn and Steve Ott chipped in three goals for Team Black.
“I liked what we saw from Bruno,” Crawford said of Brunnstrom, who played left wing on that line today. “We knew that he was going to have a good camp and he looks good right now. … I liked that line of Ott, Brunnstrom and Benn.”
Among the forwards, Crawford also noted the play of center Aaron Gagnon and prospects Tomas Vincour and Scott Glennie.
Trevor Daley received high marks from Crawford for his play during the scrimmage and among the new faces on defense, Severin Blindenbacher got noticed.
Scrimmage stats (unofficial):
Goal scorers: Morrow (2), Petersen, Brunnstrom, Petersen, Neal, Benn, Ott, Richards
Assists: Ribeiro (2), Robidas, Daley, Brunnstrom, Coyle, Barch, Neal, Eriksson
Players to watch at Stars camp
September, 17, 2010
9/17/10
7:31
PM CT
By
Mark Stepneski | ESPNDallas.com
CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island -- Here are some players to watch during Dallas Stars training camp, which begins Saturday. Everybody's worth a look, but these are some notable ones in my opinion. Some of them will need to be impact players this season. Some will push to play in the NHL this season. And some are expected to big parts of the team in years ahead.
1. Kari Lehtonen, G: Some people would look at the Stars’ decision to hand over the No. 1 goaltending job to Lehtonen as a gamble. The talent is there, but Lehtonen’s been injury prone during his career and that’s cause for concern. But the 26-year-old Finn changed his conditioning routine over the summer and said he’s healthy and in the best shape ever as he comes into camp. If the Stars are going to show improvement in the goals against department -- a big sore spot last season -- Lehtonen will need to deliver.
2. Brenden Morrow, LW: Morrow wasn’t himself on the ice last season. Coming off ACL surgery had a lot to with that. The hope is he can move beyond that now because the Stars will need their captain back to form if they are going to push forward and push for a playoff spot this season.
3. Mike Ribeiro, C: Ribeiro, who is Morrow’s center, had a down season as well. He struggled to adjust to coach Marc Crawford’s push the pace style and ended up being the subject of trade rumors this summer. GM Joe Nieuwendyk said Ribeiro is staying put and Ribeiro, who worked hard this summer, looks like a focused, determined player heading into the season. An effective Morrow-Ribeiro combination would be a big boost for the Stars.
4. Jonathan Cheechoo, RW: The former 50-goal scorer is in came on a tryout basis. His production has dropped way off in recent years, but if he can regain some of his old form he’d give the Stars a right shot that can score, something the team could use. He’s going to get a look on the right side with Morrow and Ribeiro in camp.
5. Matt Niskanen, D: He’s coming off a disappointing season that saw him register a team-worst minus-15 rating. He’s worked hard in the offseason and a big improvement in his game would be a big boost for a Stars defense where any improvement will need to come from within at this point.
6. Tom Wandell, C: He’s worth watching to see how he bounces back off ACL surgery. He had the other knee done a few years back, so he knows the routine. He’s looked pretty good skating in Frisco, but if he’s slow starting out of the gate, then Marc Crawford might have to adjust his line plans.
7: Fabian Brunnstrom, LW/RW: The question surrounding Brunnstrom is where he fits among the Dallas forwards. After a solid rookie season in 2008-09, he fell off the map last season. He has NHL level offensive talent, but he’s struggled to find consistency. He needs to play in the top six forward group to be effective, but there may not be room for him.
8. Brent Krahn, G: He’s going to get a chance to land a backup spot in Dallas, but only if he can beat out veteran Andrew Raycroft. Krahn was a first round pick of Calgary in 2000, but has had his career derailed by knee problems. That issue seems to be behind him now and he was excellent in the AHL last season, but missed time due to sports hernia surgery and a concussion. This is a big chance for Krahn to finally break through into the NHL.
9. Philip Larsen, D: He’s the Stars' top defense prospect and he’s close to becoming a regular player in the NHL. He might need time in the AHL to help him adjust more to the North American game, but the smooth skating, highly skilled defenseman is knocking on the door.
10. Severin Blindenbacher, D: The Swiss defenseman was an under-the-radar free agent signing in July. Crawford has liked what he’s seen from Blindenbacher as he’s skated out in Frisco prior to camp. He’s played in the Swedish Elite League and in big tournaments on the international stage, so he has experience against quality competition. Time will tell if he’s NHL worthy, but he’s worth watching.
11. Scott Glennie, RW: The Stars’ 1st round pick (eighth overall) in 2009 didn’t get to skate with the team at last year’s camp due to a groin injury. He’s made nice strides over the past year, and it will be interesting to see how he fares on the ice at his first NHL camp. He’s expected to play his final year of junior hockey in the WHL this season.
12: Jack Campbell, G: The Stars' first-round pick (11th overall) in 2010 is still a few years away and he'll play junior hockey with Windsor of the OHL this season, but the fact that he is a high draft pick and this is his first NHL camp make him worth a look, especially to see how he stacks up against other goaltending prospects Tyler Beskorowany and Richard Bachman.
[+] Enlarge
Jamie Sabau/Getty ImagesKari Lehtonen is banking on a new conditioning routine to keep him in shape at goal for the Stars.
Jamie Sabau/Getty ImagesKari Lehtonen is banking on a new conditioning routine to keep him in shape at goal for the Stars.2. Brenden Morrow, LW: Morrow wasn’t himself on the ice last season. Coming off ACL surgery had a lot to with that. The hope is he can move beyond that now because the Stars will need their captain back to form if they are going to push forward and push for a playoff spot this season.
3. Mike Ribeiro, C: Ribeiro, who is Morrow’s center, had a down season as well. He struggled to adjust to coach Marc Crawford’s push the pace style and ended up being the subject of trade rumors this summer. GM Joe Nieuwendyk said Ribeiro is staying put and Ribeiro, who worked hard this summer, looks like a focused, determined player heading into the season. An effective Morrow-Ribeiro combination would be a big boost for the Stars.
4. Jonathan Cheechoo, RW: The former 50-goal scorer is in came on a tryout basis. His production has dropped way off in recent years, but if he can regain some of his old form he’d give the Stars a right shot that can score, something the team could use. He’s going to get a look on the right side with Morrow and Ribeiro in camp.
5. Matt Niskanen, D: He’s coming off a disappointing season that saw him register a team-worst minus-15 rating. He’s worked hard in the offseason and a big improvement in his game would be a big boost for a Stars defense where any improvement will need to come from within at this point.
6. Tom Wandell, C: He’s worth watching to see how he bounces back off ACL surgery. He had the other knee done a few years back, so he knows the routine. He’s looked pretty good skating in Frisco, but if he’s slow starting out of the gate, then Marc Crawford might have to adjust his line plans.
7: Fabian Brunnstrom, LW/RW: The question surrounding Brunnstrom is where he fits among the Dallas forwards. After a solid rookie season in 2008-09, he fell off the map last season. He has NHL level offensive talent, but he’s struggled to find consistency. He needs to play in the top six forward group to be effective, but there may not be room for him.
8. Brent Krahn, G: He’s going to get a chance to land a backup spot in Dallas, but only if he can beat out veteran Andrew Raycroft. Krahn was a first round pick of Calgary in 2000, but has had his career derailed by knee problems. That issue seems to be behind him now and he was excellent in the AHL last season, but missed time due to sports hernia surgery and a concussion. This is a big chance for Krahn to finally break through into the NHL.
9. Philip Larsen, D: He’s the Stars' top defense prospect and he’s close to becoming a regular player in the NHL. He might need time in the AHL to help him adjust more to the North American game, but the smooth skating, highly skilled defenseman is knocking on the door.
10. Severin Blindenbacher, D: The Swiss defenseman was an under-the-radar free agent signing in July. Crawford has liked what he’s seen from Blindenbacher as he’s skated out in Frisco prior to camp. He’s played in the Swedish Elite League and in big tournaments on the international stage, so he has experience against quality competition. Time will tell if he’s NHL worthy, but he’s worth watching.
11. Scott Glennie, RW: The Stars’ 1st round pick (eighth overall) in 2009 didn’t get to skate with the team at last year’s camp due to a groin injury. He’s made nice strides over the past year, and it will be interesting to see how he fares on the ice at his first NHL camp. He’s expected to play his final year of junior hockey in the WHL this season.
12: Jack Campbell, G: The Stars' first-round pick (11th overall) in 2010 is still a few years away and he'll play junior hockey with Windsor of the OHL this season, but the fact that he is a high draft pick and this is his first NHL camp make him worth a look, especially to see how he stacks up against other goaltending prospects Tyler Beskorowany and Richard Bachman.
Talking lines with Marc Crawford
September, 10, 2010
9/10/10
7:35
AM CT
By
Mark Stepneski | ESPNDallas.com
Stars coach Marc Crawford doesn’t like to put numbers on his lines as in first, second, third and fourth, but he does know you need a total of four good lines these days if you are going to compete for a playoff spot.
“Your top guys end up playing a lot of minutes because of power play and penalty killing situations, but you need to be able to roll four lines in the Western Conference or you won’t last the rigors of the season,” Crawford said.
The process of putting together those four good lines will start at training camp in Prince Edward Island in a little more than a week. Nothing’s definite yet and it will be a process. There are prospects that need to be evaluated and players need to be given a chance to show their stuff, but eventually those lines will start to take shape.
“When we get into games three, four and five that’s when you start looking at guys in their actual roles. That’s when you’ll see it unfold a little bit more,” Crawford said. “For the first week to ten days we want to see the other people and give them good opportunities to show us what they’ve got.”
Crawford has some ideas on what he wants to try with his lines in camp and the preseason. One of them involves right wing Jonathan Cheechoo, who will attend camp on a tryout basis. The former 56-goal scorer will be given an opportunity to play on line with left wing Brenden Morrow and center Mike Ribeiro.
“We’re hopeful that he finds lightning in a bottle and that he finds some instant chemistry with who we are going to play him with in training camp,” Crawford said. “We can give him a pretty good center to play with and he’s a scorer, so initially we are going to try him with Ribeiro and Morrow.
“You want to give a guy like that a great opportunity. Let’s see if he can come in and do what he’s done in the past. A good way to do that is to give him a good opportunity.”
The opportunity given to Cheechoo on the Morrow-Ribeiro line will give the Stars another opportunity to line up Jamie Benn at center, where he played a lot last season when Ribeiro and Tom Wandell went down with injuries.
“Nothing is written in stone. We know that Jamie Benn with Morrow and Ribeiro works and we can quickly move to that, but we wanted to give Jonathan a good opportunity and we wanted to continue to see Jamie Benn at center. It allows us to do both those things, in training camp anyways. “
Benn is one option on the Morrow-Ribeiro line if Cheechoo doesn’t work out. Brandon Segal is another, said Crawford.
The plan for now, however, is for Benn to play center and to be paired with Steve Ott on a line. And when it comes to his lines, Crawford is thinking pairs and then will try to see which of the remaining forwards will round out the trio.
“We’re pretty committed to Brad Richards and Loui Eriksson. James Neal would certainly be there should he be there. If he’s not, there’s an opportunity for someone,” said Crawford, referring to Neal not being signed to a contract yet. “We’re committed to Ribby and Morrow. Otter and Benner is an experiment. It’s training camp. We like [Adam] Burish and Wandell because we want more edge and determination.
“And the other guys – Toby Petersen, Krys Barch, Brandon Segal, Brian Sutherby and Fabian Brunnstrom – they are in the battle for those complementary positions.”
And Crawford said he expects some of the team’s minor league forwards, such as Aaron Gagnon, to push for spots as well.
“Your top guys end up playing a lot of minutes because of power play and penalty killing situations, but you need to be able to roll four lines in the Western Conference or you won’t last the rigors of the season,” Crawford said.
The process of putting together those four good lines will start at training camp in Prince Edward Island in a little more than a week. Nothing’s definite yet and it will be a process. There are prospects that need to be evaluated and players need to be given a chance to show their stuff, but eventually those lines will start to take shape.
“When we get into games three, four and five that’s when you start looking at guys in their actual roles. That’s when you’ll see it unfold a little bit more,” Crawford said. “For the first week to ten days we want to see the other people and give them good opportunities to show us what they’ve got.”
Crawford has some ideas on what he wants to try with his lines in camp and the preseason. One of them involves right wing Jonathan Cheechoo, who will attend camp on a tryout basis. The former 56-goal scorer will be given an opportunity to play on line with left wing Brenden Morrow and center Mike Ribeiro.
“We’re hopeful that he finds lightning in a bottle and that he finds some instant chemistry with who we are going to play him with in training camp,” Crawford said. “We can give him a pretty good center to play with and he’s a scorer, so initially we are going to try him with Ribeiro and Morrow.
“You want to give a guy like that a great opportunity. Let’s see if he can come in and do what he’s done in the past. A good way to do that is to give him a good opportunity.”
The opportunity given to Cheechoo on the Morrow-Ribeiro line will give the Stars another opportunity to line up Jamie Benn at center, where he played a lot last season when Ribeiro and Tom Wandell went down with injuries.
“Nothing is written in stone. We know that Jamie Benn with Morrow and Ribeiro works and we can quickly move to that, but we wanted to give Jonathan a good opportunity and we wanted to continue to see Jamie Benn at center. It allows us to do both those things, in training camp anyways. “
Benn is one option on the Morrow-Ribeiro line if Cheechoo doesn’t work out. Brandon Segal is another, said Crawford.
The plan for now, however, is for Benn to play center and to be paired with Steve Ott on a line. And when it comes to his lines, Crawford is thinking pairs and then will try to see which of the remaining forwards will round out the trio.
“We’re pretty committed to Brad Richards and Loui Eriksson. James Neal would certainly be there should he be there. If he’s not, there’s an opportunity for someone,” said Crawford, referring to Neal not being signed to a contract yet. “We’re committed to Ribby and Morrow. Otter and Benner is an experiment. It’s training camp. We like [Adam] Burish and Wandell because we want more edge and determination.
“And the other guys – Toby Petersen, Krys Barch, Brandon Segal, Brian Sutherby and Fabian Brunnstrom – they are in the battle for those complementary positions.”
And Crawford said he expects some of the team’s minor league forwards, such as Aaron Gagnon, to push for spots as well.
Six more players joined the skating at the Dr. Pepper StarCenter in Frisco today. Those players were Jamie Benn, Loui Eriksson, Tom Wandell, Fabian Brunnstrom, Jeff Woywitka and Philip Larsen.
Wandell, who is coming off ACL surgery, looked pretty good. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him because he was running late for an appointment with the doctor. I’ll talk to him next week and get a status report.
I talked a little with Brunnstrom as well. Last year was obviously a rough one for Brunnstrom, but he looks at it as a learning experience, is staying positive and wants to prove that he can be a good NHL player.
“Last year was a disappointment for me,” Brunnstrom said. “You always want to play well, be part of a team and help the team win games. I am going to work hard and try to do better than last year.”
Locker room shuffle
I noticed today that they moved some of the players around in the locker room out in Frisco. Stephane Robidas is now in Mike Modano’s old spot, which is between Steve Ott and Matt Niskanen. It’s the spot dead ahead as you walk in the door to the room.
Loui Eriksson, who had been sitting in one of the corner areas with some of the younger players and Toby Petersen, has moved across the room and is now located next to Brad Richards.
Mike Ribeiro, who had been next to Robidas near the corner where Marty Turco had been, has moved to the other side of the room next to James Neal and Krys Barch. Those three are close to Kari Lehtonen's corner.
Ribeiro in net
Kari Lehtonen has been the lone goaltender for several of these skates in Frisco, but he got some help today. Mike Ribeiro dressed in full goaltender gear and manned one of the nets.
Ribeiro was pleased with his outing. Asked after the skate for an assessment of his performance, Ribeiro responded: “I was the second star today.”
Here are a couple minutes of video of Ribeiro in net. You’ll notice he's very active with his stick. Towards the end (at about the 1:49 mark) he has to deal with Fabian Brunnstrom on a breakaway.
Wandell, who is coming off ACL surgery, looked pretty good. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him because he was running late for an appointment with the doctor. I’ll talk to him next week and get a status report.
I talked a little with Brunnstrom as well. Last year was obviously a rough one for Brunnstrom, but he looks at it as a learning experience, is staying positive and wants to prove that he can be a good NHL player.
“Last year was a disappointment for me,” Brunnstrom said. “You always want to play well, be part of a team and help the team win games. I am going to work hard and try to do better than last year.”
Locker room shuffle
I noticed today that they moved some of the players around in the locker room out in Frisco. Stephane Robidas is now in Mike Modano’s old spot, which is between Steve Ott and Matt Niskanen. It’s the spot dead ahead as you walk in the door to the room.
Loui Eriksson, who had been sitting in one of the corner areas with some of the younger players and Toby Petersen, has moved across the room and is now located next to Brad Richards.
Mike Ribeiro, who had been next to Robidas near the corner where Marty Turco had been, has moved to the other side of the room next to James Neal and Krys Barch. Those three are close to Kari Lehtonen's corner.
Ribeiro in net
Kari Lehtonen has been the lone goaltender for several of these skates in Frisco, but he got some help today. Mike Ribeiro dressed in full goaltender gear and manned one of the nets.
Ribeiro was pleased with his outing. Asked after the skate for an assessment of his performance, Ribeiro responded: “I was the second star today.”
Here are a couple minutes of video of Ribeiro in net. You’ll notice he's very active with his stick. Towards the end (at about the 1:49 mark) he has to deal with Fabian Brunnstrom on a breakaway.
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Mark Stepneski
Mark Stepneski joined ESPNDallas.com in July 2010. A former news/special projects producer for KXAS-TV, he has run the Andrew's Dallas Stars Page website since 1997.
Richard Durrett
Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.