Bleacher Report - Articles by Dallas Stars Podcast

And The Page Turns—Thoughts From the Cheap Seats

Dallas Stars Podcast — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 09:53:00 -0400

So now we have a new GM and a new coach.

What do we think about that?

Here are some general thoughts and points—let us know what you think below.

Obviously, there is a lot of unknown. Would Tippett have been able to continue to have success in the regular season, probably.

Would he have been able to have success in the playoffs, maybe; maybe even probably. I think the conventional wisdom after Joe Nieuwendyk was brought in to be the lone GM was that Tippett would be allowed at least a preseason and a fair run in the regular season to prove himself.

Well, that didn't happen.

Earlier this week, Marc Crawford was named as the new gaffer for the Dallas Hockey Club, and now the questions are about his goals: how does he want to play, who does he want to play, how is he going to manage all the personalities.

Publicly he has said he wants a more offensive system, and it sounds like he wants to roll three lines—not the Dallas Stars traditional four.

Crawford comes in with some significant skins on the wall.

Then again, those skins aren't hot off the presses, either.

Fair or not, some are going to look at this as "Marc had better win in the playoffs." Are you in that camp? I'm not sure I am, but I certainly see the validity of it.

I like the fact that GM Joe is reputed to be smart, Bob Gainey-like. Obviously, that is a name that is well respected not only in Dallas, but throughout the game.

And I want to see GM Joe do with the Stars what we've seen with the other Hicks team, the Texas Rangers—build the kind of foundation that is set for success for a long period of time.

And as we know, the Stars aren't—or, weren't—that far two seasons ago. How much of that was lost last season? It is hard to tell.

But from my cheap seat, if GM Joe thinks we need to take a slight step back to redirect and have a more successful road ahead, and that means that Crawford takes a season to instill a new philosophy, then I'm willing to give them the space to do that.

Now, I'll admit some trepidation—obviously, it is scary to walk away from what we knew, another solid regular season and, most likely, a good playoff push. There is a queasiness even as I write this. But the intellectual side of me is the stronger—at least in this discussion.

But enough about me and my egg-head. Where are you?

Sean Avery Returns to New York-ish

Dallas Stars Podcast — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:36:00 -0500

Sean Avery has resurfaced as top news with his return from banishment. He recently completed his NHL-Mandated anger management therapy and was added back to the Dallas Roster, forcing Dallas to send Chris Conner back to the minors.

Yesterday was an eventful day for Sean, starting with a plane trip to Dallas where he spent about six hours in town for a visit with the Stars team doctors to clear a medical release so he could play in the minors.

Concurrently the Stars announced that Sean had cleared waivers and rumors resumed regarding his placement in the AHL, where it was assumed he would join the Hartford Wolfpack to prove he was ready to play again.

This morning the rumors were confirmed that New York wanted Sean back as his first practice with the Wolfpack began and quotes were released from GM Glen Sather, Sean Avery, and Rangers coach Tom Renny:

"I would like to thank Glen Sather and the Rangers organization for giving me the chance to resume my hockey career by affording me this opportunity with the Hartford Wolf Pack. I am looking forward to getting back on the ice, working my way back to the NHL and playing the game I love. While I appreciate the many interview requests, at this point in time, I would like to focus on hockey and will not be making any further statements while with the Wolf Pack." - Sean Avery

"Sean and the Dallas Stars approached me looking for an American Hockey League team for him to resume playing, and I am happy to provide him with the opportunity to continue his career. Sean was a good player for the Rangers during his time here and has worked extremely hard off the ice over the last two months. He remains under contract to and property of the Stars, therefore, any further comment would be inappropriate." - Glen Sather

"Sean's a good hockey player. He can help anybody he plays for, there's no question about that. This is a guy who could play and was a great teammate, and was always there for his teammates and laid it on the line every single night. How could you not admire that?" - Tom Renny

I know Avery did well in New York the past two years, but doesn't it sound a bit too much like Renny is hoping Sean is the Rangers' love child? During his time in the AHL, then Detroit, then the LA Kings and finally here in Dallas the only person to speak so highly of Sean was Brett Hull, and you can see how that worked out for him.

Doesn't this make you wonder, exactly what kind of "anger management" therapy do the Rangers' front office actually think he went through?

One last thing to remember, New York, this is not a done deal. When they decide they are ready for him he has to go back through recall waivers, which is where they are expected to claim him and will assume half his salary.

Before they can claim him, however, EVERY TEAM in the league that is lower in the standings then them will have an opportunity to claim him. Les Jackson is rumored to have stated other teams have an interest in Sean.

The question is, which team has the balls to actually take him on?

Jason Arnott to miss Wednesday's game

Dallas Stars Podcast — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:02:00 -0400

For those of you who care to remember game #2 for the Stars you'll recall a certain fan favorite showing us what we're missing ... yes, I'm talking about Jason Arnott.

Allow me to first say the following two disclaimers:

I do not approve of the taking of pleasure in someone else's injury.
I do not approve of basking in a win over a competitor who is missing their top player(s)

That said, Jason Arnott will THANKFULLY not be on the ice Wednesday night due to a fracture in one of the fingers on his right hand [ Tennessean ]. I enjoy seeing Jason on the ice as much as the next guy (more likely girl, he always had a way with the ladies!) but he absolutely kept us in our place on Saturday night.

The Stars need this win: mentally for themselves and physically for their fans. There is no two ways about it, we need to win. I know it's only game 3 of 82 before the playoffs, but it's not healthy to be where we are right now - these are hard points to make up in the points racing leading up to the playoffs, and a losing skid is not a good way to start the season, especially not for a team being touted as Stanley Cup contenders [ Hockey News ].

Jason, you're welcome back later in the season, after we've gotten our feet under us again - and please, get better soon, just not by Wednesday!

At least we're not the Canucks!

Dallas Stars Podcast — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:54:00 -0400

AKA: YAY! CENTER ICE!!

To start off, my girlfriend let me buy Center Ice. This may not be profound to you young, single guys but to you married types I'm sure you understand. So much thanks to the Best Girlfriend in the World^TM! It does help that she loves hockey; Stars hockey!

On to the title I chose to use. The stars are off to a rough season. The more I think about it the more I feel like we've lost our chemistry (except Ribs). I was talking to one of my coworkers the other day and I described it as this: "It looks like a bunch of skilled hockey players who were just put together for the first time ... All Star Game, slightly less skill."

I'm sure different people will argue it differently, and when it comes down to it, there are different thoughts on each player, but as an overall explanation, I think that's what it comes down to.

I did comment on one specific player - and it's not totally his fault. We're only two games in so far but Mike Ribeiro has been billed as "the play maker". Forgive me if I add "the Five Million Dollar play maker". I'm all about giving players the chance to have a slump, the chance to be over-billed ... I'm not the kind of guy who normally holds on to things like this - but WHERE ARE You RIBS!

The Fanatics LOVE Ribs. We chant for him, we cheer for him, we hold inappropriate signs for him. But in the 2 games plus the pre-season I've seen NOTHING spectacular from him. Not a single thing.

On the positive side, here's a player whose name you don't hear me chanting very often ... Trevor Daley. After two games Daley has the most points on the team - with one goal per game. DALEY! TWO GOALS! TWO GAMES! That's not an average, ladies and gentlemen, that's a statistic! Think he'll come anywhere near keeping it up?

As for the title of the post? In jumping around Center Ice tonight I watched the final 10 minutes of the Capitals hosting the Canucks ... who had 10 shots on goal for the night. Yes, 10 shots FOR THE NIGHT. Come on Stars fans, we're off to a slow start, but when is the last time you said that about your team?

Allow me to make a prediction - this slow start sucks, but it won't last. The boys are building confidence and chemistry ... while we, as fans, don't see why the chemistry and confidence were gone, it was. Another week of practice, playing and Tippett's foot up their ass ... you'll see the Stars you thought you'd see on opening night.

ESPN Choo-Choo-Chooses Matthew Barnaby

Dallas Stars Podcast — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:44:00 -0400

Ok—this isn't an official announcement, yet, but the rumor from Buffalo News is that in the next few days, everyone's favorite (in recent times) instigator, Matthew Barnaby (everyone loves Matthew Barnaby), will be announced as ESPN's replacement for Barry Melrose, who left ESPN to return to coaching for Tampa Bay.

This isn't the first news suggesting this WONDERFUL information, as back at the end of June Puck Daddy on Yahoo! had this bit of information on the subject, including some links proving the leak.

While Wyshynski is right that ESPN could still screw this up, Barnaby has an excellent opportunity to help the NHL find its way back to the biggest sports network in the U.S.

It's not that he'll be organizing the return, but his personality and lack of smug holier-than-thou attitude (can't stand Melrose, sorry) allow him the opportunity to really get people who have forgotten the NHL since the lockout thinking about the sport again.

While I don't personally care about those people, they're the ones that can demand ESPN return the NHL back to its TV glory—and HD camera systems!

Prospects Win, Sergei Zubov and Philippe Boucher Go Down...Again

Dallas Stars Podcast — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:33:00 -0400

Allow me to start off with the best greeting possible: Happy last day of summer before hockey begins!

The Dallas Stars' prospects squad just won the Prospects Tourney in Traverse City, Mich.—major props to them. James Neal came away with most points in the tourney (expect to see him a lot in Dallas) with nine, and Fabian Brunnstrom, although he started slow, really showed that he has potential to shine.

But what really made me post today was this bit of news posted by both Heika and Keeli over at the Star-Telegram:

Sergei Zubov underwent an arthroscopic hip procedure on Thursday. He will be re-evaluated in four weeks.

Also, Philippe Boucher is day-to-day with a sore foot.

—Keeli Garza, Five For Fighting

I'm sorry, what? Heika reports Zubbie could be out up to eight weeks on the procedure. Can anyone tell me exactly what is going on here? I know, they're both old; I know, this is bound to happen; I know, we'll be fine.

This is not me paniking; this is me being pissed off they waited so long to get on the ice that they both just realized they have issues.

Sean Avery to Help Pick Hockey Night in Canada Theme?

Dallas Stars Podcast — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:51:00 -0400

First, if you didn't know about it, at the end of last season Hockey Night in Canada lost its rights to the theme they have used for many, many years. Earlier this summer they opened a contest soliciting user submissions from which to choose the new theme [CBC].

Second, they have over 12,000 submissions [AnthemChallenge.com] to date, with the voting to begin Oct. 4. Point worth noting, they actually have close to 15,000 entries, if you count the total number displayed in their Anthem Gallery.

Third, they have announced, so says the Detroit Free Press, some of the judges. Well, at least three of them: Dan Cleary of the Wings, Jason Priestly of the original Beverly Hills 90210, and Sean Avery...yes, yes, I said Sean Avery.

I had no idea the Canadians loved him so much...

Dallas Stars Announce TV Schedule

Dallas Stars Podcast — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:21:00 -0400

I've always wondered when reading these articles—why doesn't the NHL announce the TV schedule?

Worth noting: FSN will have 62 regular season games. Versus will exclusively carry 4 games including Detroit, San Jose, Phoenix (why?), and Minnesota. NBC has an option on one game against Nashville (again, why?).

WBAP will continue to be the home of Stars games on the radio.

The full schedule is available as a PDF document.

Also, this did affect some game times, so be wary of these game changes:

Sunday October 18 vs Colorado: 1pm start
Tuesday, December 2 @ Calgary: 8:30pm start
Saturday, January 17 vs LA: 1pm start
Saturday February 21 vs Chicago: 1pm start
Wednesday March 18 @ Calgary: 8pm start

Note that the Saturday start time, for you locals, means breakfast with the Fanatics in our usual spot, three hours before the puck drops!

Stars-Red Wings: Yes, We Have Ourselves a Series

Dallas Stars Podcast — Sun, 18 May 2008 20:48:00 -0400

What a beautiful goal from Trev. Back to front, with the nice pass from Richards and the emphatic finish from the young defenseman. WOW!

And then Marty, son. Well done! Way to be the guy we've grown to know as a true playoff-winning net-minder. The fact that you're starting to get into the Red Wings heads is phenomenal.

(If you haven't read their comments about needing to keep the puck away from him, do so. Forcing Detroit to make adjustments to you is a beautiful thing.)

And Joel. Good on ya'! Way to take command of the situation, no fear, no hesitation and a bloodthirsty finish. That has to make Osgood question whether he can make the stops he needs when a young gun like that can gut him like a fish.

But really, it goes to the team as a whole. What a complete game—in some ways, a more complete game than we've seen them play much of this year, if at all. From minute 1 to minute 60, they were hustling, fighting, scrapping, blocking pucks, checking, hitting, doing all the little things that allow the Stars' talent to shine.

What a wonderful feeling.

[deep breath]

And now back to reality.

We're still in a 3-2 hole. If Detroit was not really worried about this series, they are now. You don't win in front of their fans without getting their attention.

I would imagine that if they could, they would be saying, "That's it, Biggs, we're going in, and we're going in full throttle. That ought to keep those fighters off our backs."

Knowing that they have the talent to run at the Stars, even in our own barn, should give them the confidence to just let fly.

Knowing that the Stars can't let that happen—and that the way we've kept them back on their heels has been by scoring first—means that the Stars will probably try to come out with both barrels blazing again, too.

And that means that it could all be decided in the first period on Monday. Two heavyweights going for the knockout blow—20 minutes to define the series. What a collision that would be.

On the other hand, one of the teams, or both, could try to play controlled hockey (or don't have enough left in the tank to go full speed ahead) and that could alter the dynamics.

Either way, it will be high drama on Monday.

My hope is this: that the Stars don't think about Game Seven. We got here by playing one shift at a time, one period at a time, one game at a time. I expect—one way or the other—that we will get the best Detroit has at this time, and that is going to be pretty darn good. Dallas is pretty darn good, too, but to win, we have to maintain that hunger, that belief and that aggression.

Go get 'em, boys.

Dallas Stars: That's What I'm Talking About

Dallas Stars Podcast — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:43:00 -0400

Exactly.

That is exactly what I've been looking for out of these Stars since, oh, I don't know.... 2003? That was the kind of "I will kill him!"(*), epic, "You can't handle the truth" momentous game that defines a team/era. That was Brendan Morrow saying, "This is MY team, and we're going where I SAY we're going." That was Marty saying, "You don't die until I give you permission!"

[(*) For you Dune fans out there, think of the line by Sting in the first movie adaptation. Obviously, with a better end result for the speaker.]

And what is really great about it was that we took that proverbial shot in the mouth I mentioned after Game Three of the Sharks series - quite a few, in fact - and just smiled that evil smile and kept on trucking. Sort of like something out of Heavy Metal. And it was glorious.

That is the sort of game that binds a team, binds a fanbase, binds a city. "We few, we happy few."

That was the magic that every player fights for, every fan dreams about. And it happened right here.

Mad and major props to San Jose - gone are the fears that we would enter the next round without the confidence knowing that we could take a hit. Interestingly, same as it was at the end of the regular season. They shook off the first three games and played like madmen. And against a lesser team, it just might have been good enough.

But they were playing the Stars, and it wasn't. Sixty two shots weren't enough. More Toronto-review-madness wasn't enough. Knocking Stu Barnes out of the lineup in Game Three wasn't enough. All the great play they had - especially in the third period - wasn't enough.

Because Marty Turco, Brendan Morrow and their band of brothers said it wasn't.

"Goodness, gracious, great balls of fire" was what I said after Game Three in this series. In retrospect, it was a bit premature/inaccurate because after watching Marty and Nabokov go toe to toe, that was worth the price of admission. Damn. If you're a fan of hockey - hell, if you're a fan of sports - and you haven't seen the OT from that game Sunday/Monday, it is required viewer-ship. That was as epic as Belfour/Roy. Talk about broadsides at 20 yards! Some have compared it to the old Michael Jordan/Larry Bird McDonald's commercials, but the more I think about it, it sure was more like Ali-Foreman. Widow-maker after widow-maker to the jaw of the other team - "You think you just made the play to end this marathon? Go away, little boy, and take your toys with you."

And in the end, it was the grinders, the workers, the gritty, gutsy, ballsy guys who got it done - Robidas and Morrow. Should it really surprise people that those two took pucks to the face in these playoffs and kept playing? That is was that kind of player that made the winning play in the seventh period of play (essentially, the beginning of a third consecutive hockey game)? It shouldn't be. Just like it was players like Mike Keane who did it for the Stars in 1999. I love players like Ribero and Richards - I really do. But at the end of the day, when it is in the deep dark of night, it is the tough guys who get the job done.

It takes a team. It takes all the moving parts. In that sense, I'm not taking anything away from Modano, etc. Everyone played their part. But the Difference Makers are the guys who keep their heads when the race turns out to be over twice as long as you expected it to be, who still have the stones to do the hard work, the mental strength to not be tired when their body had every right to pack up and go home - enough to be That Guy who makes That Play.

Dallas - soak this up. Drink it in, Texas - your hockey team is a bad mutha. Let it sink in. Make sure you appreciate it for what it is.

Because up next is another monster - possibly the biggest. It could be argued that the Western Conference Finals will decide who wins Lord Stanley's. On one hand, you have the team with the best record in the league - by far - and the team that vanquished the only real challenger that team had to the top spot, along with the defending Stanley Cup champs.

This isn't to say that there isn't talent in the East - by all means, there sure is, and winning the WCF doesn't mean the SCF are going to be a cakewalk. Far from it. But I'm trying to put in perspective that as much as we've accomplished in these playoffs, it pales in comparison to the challenge laid before Your Dallas Stars in the next round. Hockeytown and all their fans. The history of the Detroit Red Wings. The players that wear those sweaters - the ones who pretty much laid the wood on the league this year. All of that awaits them starting Thursday.

I think we're ready. I think we have it in us to slay another Dragon.

But that is a column for another day. I bring it up only to give pause - to suggest you watch the tape again. And again. And again. Let Game Six of the San Jose series become a part of your essence. Because you will need every ounce of that confidence to be ready for the next challenge, and because no matter what happens in the next round, this feat needs to be recognized.

Hell, this game needs to be memorized.

If the Stars go on in these Stanley Cup Playoffs, this game will be seen as a catalyst. If the Stars don't, that game would probably be the highlight of the year. And even if that happens, this still has been the beginning of what probably is another era of incredible Dallas Stars play - have you looked at how young we are in a lot of areas? It reminds me of the Avs way back when - with kids who could kill.

Either way, May 4 will go down as one of the most important moments in Stars history.

Know your history, boys and girls. Know your history.

Colorado Stars-San Jose Sharks: A Time to Kill

Dallas Stars Podcast — Sun, 04 May 2008 04:59:00 -0400

So here I am, in Colorado on business and unable to watch the Stars games with my fellow fans. And as much as I wish I could be back with you guys, it is time. Game Six - time to finish off the Sharks. They've shown grit and determination and come back to win two games. Great for them. But enough is enough. Time for the Stars to show they have the kind of killer instinct that we saw from Detroit recently.

We saw it in Game Six of the last series. And there is no shame in being up 3-2 going into Game Six in your own barn against the team that won your division and all but caught the team with the best record in the game this year. So I'm not necessarily panicking that we've lost control of the series. The Sharks have a lot of talent and a lot of reason to not lose - jobs, for one. Lose to Your Dallas Stars, and more than one person on their roster sheet is going to be looking for work or working elsewhere in the fall. So the surge we've seen from San Jose should be no surprise. I expected us to be challenged, and it happened.

But we know the Stars have the ability to win on Sunday. And frankly, it is time for them to finish the deal. Sunday night, AAC, we end them. From the rafters down to the ice, every Stars fan, player and staff member should be about one and one thing only on Sunday - put a fork in them.

Obviously, I'm not saying this from a "I know this will happen" p.o.v., but rather a "this is what needs to happen." Certainly, with Stu still listed as day to day and with the way the Sharks have found a way to win games, nothing about tomorrow is for sure.

But the Sharks have had their opportunity to show they aren't chumps. It is time to close the deal.

Come on boys, put them out of our misery.

Dallas Stars:Goodness Gracious, Great Balls of Fire!

Dallas Stars Podcast — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:13:00 -0400

After last night's game, I found myself in disbelief.

After we smoked the Ducks, did we REALLY just win both games in San Jose against the team that almost caught the Detroit Red Wings for the best record in the league?

Did we REALLY have three line centers, three goals?

Are we seeing the Stars that were kicking everyone's butt in February, augmented by the Brad Richards that won the Stanley Cup? (Guys and gals, that finish on the tying goal last night was flat out Cold Blooded. Oof!)

Wow.

For a team that before the last game of the regular season had some chemistry questions and was struggling to get over a terrible March, this group has more than exceeded expectations - it has revised them.

Would it be anything but a complete shock to see the team not win this series?

Yes, I know. I really do know that San Jose has been as successful on our ice as we have on theirs and they could win both games in Dallas and then we'd be back to square one. And come tomorrow night, I'll be as nervous as I was in every other game this series. Every game means the world, etc., etc.

But I just can't help this feeling in my gut that we have the Shark's number, that they can't stack up to us. It would take a rattling of Marty's cage of epic proportions to really see the Sharks take three in a row (what I think it would take to really put the Stars on edge).

The truth is it would be ludicrous to look beyond this series, even now. Stranger things have happened, and if we do get beyond this round, it is a whole new game as we'd then be taking on a Red Wings team that seems to have gotten its collective act together.

So let's focus on the here and now. Let's make sure that we appreciate what we've done in the first two games of this series and the games we won in the Anaheim series. In essence, we've pretty much controlled the Important Moments. Sure, Anaheim won Game Three, and also Game Five. But when it came down to the game that really would have recovered them from their 0-2 start (specifically, Games Four and Six - win either one, and they were not just staving off elimination but had significant momentum), they just didn't have it.

And sure, San Jose has played well at times in this series. But when it came down to That Play by That Guy, for the most part it has been the boys wearing the Stars, not the goofs wearing teal, that have made the momentum changing play.

And the thing that really impresses me about this Stars team - when they decide to lay the hammer, fughetahbahtit. Its over - the fat lady doesn't even have time to warm up. Game Six? Overtime in Game One of this series? The Third Period on Sunday?

As someone used to winning tight games - 1-0 or 2-1 - it is overwhelming at times. This team had dominated two very very good hockey clubs so far in these Stanley Cup Playoffs.

So let's let all that soak in and appreciate the sea change we've seen in Our Dallas Stars. After all the heartache and suffering we've endured over the past six years, we need to acknowledge to wonder in our midst that is our boys in black.

[Deep breath/soaking it all in]

Okay, now back to reality. At some point, some team is going to give us a bloody nose. I kept thinking it was the Ducks - I thought Game Six was going to be a one-goal game and when they scored the first one, I thought we were in for a loooooong night.
But it didn't happen. Then I thought it was going to happen against the Sharks, first in Game One and then in Game Two (especially Game Two as we heard horror stories about how they fired 27 pucks at the Flames in their Game Two). And still it didn't happen.

But it will. And we as fans need to be ready for it. Ready to support the boys and help them get back on their feet. We know they are warriors - Stephane Robidas, anyone? But making sure that the atmosphere in the room is just as warrior-like might make the difference between the Stars responding in time or not. And whether that is Game Three or Game Four or Game Six of this series or later down the line, let's remember one thing - no one waltzes through the Stanley Cup Playoffs. At some point, you run into a team that will make you bleed. (Granted, usually sooner than now, but never-mind that now.) And the real question about your heart is how you react to it.

So take the time to soak in the success we've had, then refocus on the next game, the next challenge, the next shift. We know that is what Tip is going to want of his guys. Let's make sure we're on board too.