Scouting Report: Game 1 vs Dallas Stars
Think you know all about the Dallas Stars? You may have on January 2nd, 2011 when the Blues played them last, but a lot has changed down in Texas since then. Brad Gardner, one of two Manging Editors of at Defending Big D, will enlighten us all with the need to know details.
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BlueNoteZone: With the departures of Brad Richards and James Neal who feels more pressure to produce and why? Jamie Benn, Loui Eriksson or Mike Riberio?
Brad Gardner:The Stars are taking a score by committee approach to this season with Brad Richards gone, so I think the pressure is spread somewhat equally. Through three games, however, Mike Ribeiro’s line has produced next to nothing and is getting the lions share of the defensive attention after a stellar preseason. If Ribeiro is going to replace Brad Richards as the Stars’ number one center, Dallas needs to see improvement starting tonight.
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Alex Goligoski was acquired after the Blues and Stars wrapped up their 2010-11 season series. What does he bring to the Stars? How important is he?
BG:The Dallas Stars have been looking for a puck moving defenseman since the departure of Sergei Zubov, and they think they’ve found at least a reasonable facsimile in Alex Goligoski. He put up 15 points in 23 games with Dallas last year on the blue line, ran the power play in Richards’ absence, played on the PK, and saw his minutes increase nearly 30% over what he was playing in Pittsburgh. He compliments and takes a lot of pressure off Stephane Robidas, who has been dragging this group behind him for the last three seasons. Best of all is he’s just 26 years old, a restricted free agent, and he’s still getting better. He will be an important piece in Dallas for years moving forward.
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Kari Lehtonen was stellar against the Blues last season and a big reason why the Stars were in the playoff hunt till the end. How has he performed so far this season? What is expected of him?
BG:It has been written by everyone who covers the Dallas Stars that they will go only as far as Kari Lehtonen takes them, and through three games it’s not hard to see why. He’s allowed only a single goal in each of his first two starts, stopping 77 of 79 pucks sent his way and has two wins. He lost some weight over the summer and looks slimmer and more fit. He is focused on taking the next step, staying healthy, and proving that last year was something he will build on. He was over-used by Marc Crawford last year and with Andrew Raycroft having a rough first outing the question is how much they’ll need to use him this year as well.
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Blues fans know Stephane Robidas and Brenden Morrow very well as key leaders. Is anyone new stepping in to a leadership role?
BG:Those are good examples, and I think Steve Ott, Loui Eriksson and Adam Burish are leaders on this team as well. Sheldon Souray is a guy who I think could also emerge as a leader on this team. His play through three games has been a pleasant surprise for Stars fans. He sticks up for these guys on the ice and he’s said a goal is to mentor the big young defensemen Dallas has like Grossman, Adam Pardy and Mark Fistric.
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Can you summarize the roster additions made this summer and what they bring to the Stars.
BG:With the lowest payroll in the entirety of the NHL, the Stars’ off-season additions were not about glitz and glam, but many feel they’ve made themselves a much deeper team than they were last year. Vernon Fiddler, Michael Ryder and Sheldon Souray were the biggest names added and early returns are promising. Jake Dowell is serviceable as a 4th line guy and has contributed already on the PK effectively. Eric Godard is one that might not work out, as he was sent to the AHL before the season began. Stars fans could get their first look at D Adam Pardy tonight, who began the season on IR with a cracked rib. The Stars also added LW Eric Nystrom yesterday to meet the salary cap floor requirement after Sean Avery was waived by the Rangers and his cap hit came off their books.
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Steve Ott. A misunderstood player who is an effective agitator or a questionable risk taker who has earned a bad reputation?
BG:I think he’s a little of both. Ott had two twenty goal seasons before a bit of a regression last year and is looking to be a more responsible player in a top six role on a line with Jamie Benn and Loui Eriksson. Early returns are sketchy and he’s taken some minors Stars fans would rather not see. Ott has play making ability and can obviously score goals, though most NHL fans don’t realize it. The Blues always seem to bring out his feistier side so tonight could be a bit of a departure from “top six” Ott, but Stars fans expect a big step forward from him this season. Whether or not he can toe the line remains to be seen.
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Brad also provided an update on the sale of the Stars
BG:The sale of the Dallas Stars is proceeding through a pre-packaged bankruptcy process that is necessary to protect the new owner from any leftover financial obligations that Tom Hicks has left behind, as it appears that not all creditors will be paid everything they’re owed. It does not mean that the Dallas Stars are bankrupt. Far from it. Canadian businessman Tom Gaglardi has provided what is known as the “stalking horse” bid in the legal documents. Other interested parties have until October 22nd to submit NHL approved bids that must be at least $10 million over Gaglardi’s. An auction will be held on November 21st, and a confirmation hearing will follow on the 23rd, meaning Stars fans will know who their new owner is the week of Thanksgiving. When it’s all said and done it’s expected that the franchise will go for upwards of $260-$270 million dollars, which could have interesting implications for the sale of the Blues depending on it’s current state
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A big thank you to Brad for taking the time to provide quality insight. It’s a busy time down in Dallas.
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