Stars and the Kids from Iowa

The Stars finished a week where they went 4-1 and a strectch that saw them play 8 games in 13 days. The reason for the most recent success despite the rash of injuries is the strong play by the kids brought up from Iowa. Joel Lundqvist and Loui Erikkson solidified their stigma as the future for the stars, with special notice of the strong play by Lundqvist. However new to the lineup Chris Connor registered 5 shots in his first NHL game and was amongst the top ice time leaders for the game. Even though only Erikkson will be staying with the big club, as a majority of the injured Stars are slated to return this week, the players on the bubble of the stars roster better watch out as their jobs may be in jeopardy.

Hiatus and Injuries

I first want to apologize for the month long hiatus in updates, as I have been in St. Petersburg, Russia. I managed to catch a few superleague games while i was there and even checked up on Stars prospect Vadim Khomitski, who was forced to return to Moscow after starting the season in Iowa to tend to his pregnant girlfriend. Khomitski is going to be a guy that if the Stars can develop properly, could turn out to be like a Sandis Ozolinsh type player (hopefully with out substance abuse issues).

On to the Stars, the injury bug, which was almost non existant last season, has heavily depleted the Stars roster. Steve Ott (ankle), Brenden Morrow (groin), Eric Lindros (foot), Antti Miettinen (lower-body), Darrly Sydor (upper-body), Trevor Daley (post-concussion) and Mike Modano (lower-body) are all out of the line up for the time being. The stars will be supplementing their roster with a lot of kids from Iowa, which in the long run may turn out to be a good thing for the Stars, as they will get a real taste of the kind of talent that they have waiting in the wings. With Zubov and Modano, especially, reaching the end of their carrers it is good that we all we are getting a glimpse at who might be the next version of these two superstars. Watching the game last night with San Jose, right now I would have to say the most promissing out of the youth movement has to be Joel Lundqvist (yes the twin brother of the Rangers goalie Henik). The center has size, speed, grit and some real puck saavy. Loui Erikkson also continues to impress, and Niklas Grossman, not looking at his first shift, has been solid on the blue line. If Turco can continue to manufacture preformances like the one last night, the Stars just may get through this rash of injuries not only with some wins, but some real confidence, not only in the team now, but in the team of the future.

Stars Week

The Stars put together a lack luster week, although no one can really complain, as they took 4 of a possible 6 points, with the only loss in a 4-3 match with the Wings. Dave Tippett sited the NHL schedule misfortunes the Stars deal with as a possible reason for their lack of energy in recent games, and while the Stars do have the worst schedule in the NHL, as they have to travel out of their time zone more than anyother team in the league, that can not be used as an excuse.

A few bright spots for the Stars, are the rock solid play of both goaltenders (Turco 2.10 GAA, .929 sv%, 7-2 and Mike Smith 1.00 GAA, .964 sv%, 2-0), and the wealth of scoring depth, with every player who has appeared in a game registering at least a point, and some unexpected contributions from grinder Niklas Hagman. The Stars’ management should also be praised for the acquisition of center Mike Ribiero who so far has been excellent in Dallas, playing mostly on the fourth line but also on the power play unit.

The Stars only real misfortune so far for the Stars is the ankle injury to Steve Ott that will keep him out of the lineup for at least 8 weeks. Ott sustained the injury while fighting LA tough guy Tom Kostopolous. This couldn’t come at a worse time for Ott who seemed to be getting into an offensive groove registering 4 points in his last 5 games. This injury opens up a highly coveted spot in the Stars lineup, and while many are calling for rookie Loui Eriksson to be called up from Iowa, Tippett has said that he will be filling the spot with either Mathias Tjarnqvist or Patrik Stefan as “they have been patient waiting” for their turn to break into the game roster. It appears as though Patrik Stefan will get the first chance to show what hes got tonight in St. Louis, as he spent most of practice yesterday playing on the fourth line left wing with Ribiero at center and Antti Miettinen on the right side.

The Stars will start a road trip through Canada on friday. More after the weekend.

Ott sidelined with fractured ankle

Dallas Stars centre Steve Ott will be sidelined for the next two months with a fractured ankle that will require surgery on Monday. Ott suffered the injury against the Los Angeles Kings when he was involved in a fight with defenceman Tom Kostopoulos. He seemed to have fell awkwardly when he was hit by the Kings blueliner.