Entries with the tag: dallas+stars

Canucks & Super Stars

by Alanah on 03/15/08 at 02:48 PM
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The Vancouver Canucks play the “gutless-pigs” tonight, and Alain Vigneault has a plan:

In: Trevor Linden, Jeff Cowan, Rick Rypien
Out: Brad Isbister, Byron Ritchie, Ryan Shannon

Yeah. That’ll solve everything.

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Brad Richards Conference Call Transcript

by Alanah on 02/29/08 at 03:35 PM
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It’s been a busy week for Brad Richards.  On Tuesday he was traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Dallas Stars along with Johan Holmqvist for Mike Smith, Jeff Halpern, Jussi Jokinen and a fourth-round pick in 2009.  Last night he played in his first game for the Stars and made it a memorable one by becoming the first player in NHL history to record five assists in his first game with a team as Dallas defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 7 to 4.

Today, Richards participated in an NHL teleconference and below is the transcript of that Q&A with various members of the media.

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The Equipment Debate

by Alanah on 12/20/07 at 05:43 PM
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Is the Goalie of the Year a cheater or an innovator?  Grant Kerr at the Globe & Mail:

The Dallas stars are in a flap over a small portion of the goaltending equipment used by Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks.

At issue are two small flaps that extend from the leg pads used by the 6-foot-3 Luongo. The flaps extend outside the allowable 11-inch width of each leg pad near the knee.

Dallas netminders Marty Turco and Mike Smith brought the issue into focus Thursday when they wore exaggerated cardboard flaps on their pads during the morning skate before the evening NHL game, with #1 written on each flap.

Luongo wears jersey No. 1 for the Canucks and has five shutouts this season, along with a goals against average of 2.04 and save percentage of .928.

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Surgery For Boucher

by Paul on 12/05/07 at 10:48 AM
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via the Dallas Stars,

The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has placed defenseman Philippe Boucher on the injured reserve list and have recalled right wing Junior Lessard from the Iowa Stars, Dallas’ primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League.

Boucher, 34, is set to have shoulder surgery today and will be re-evaluated in four weeks

Stars of the Week

by Alanah on 11/26/07 at 01:51 PM
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From NHL.com

Philadelphia Flyers center Daniel Briere, Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov and Dallas Stars goaltender Mike Smith have been named the NHL’s ‘Three Stars’ for the week ending November 25.

continued... with video available featuring each player’s highlights

Lehtinen Out With Abdominal Strain

by Paul on 11/24/07 at 07:57 AM
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via the AP,

Stars right wing Jere Lehtinen will be out indefinitely with an abdominal strain, but might not need surgery as the team originally thought, coach Dave Tippett said after Friday night’s 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Earlier on Friday night, the club said Lehtinen would undergo surgery on Monday, but Tippett said that was “premature.”

“We’ll continue to look at it,” Tippett said. “We’ll do some tests and see how it reacts over the next few days.”

Todd Fedoruk Claimed Off Waivers by Wild

by Alanah on 11/22/07 at 12:38 PM
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From the Dallas Stars,

The Dallas Stars announced today that left wing Todd Fedoruk has been claimed off re-entry waivers by the Minnesota Wild. The Stars and Wild will split Fedoruk’s salary (signed one-year deal for $875,000 in off-season) for the remainder of the 2007-08 season.

added 5:10pm, Tom Lynn, Asst. GM for the Wild on the Fedoruk pick-up via Russo’s Rants,

“The general manager is not happy where we are right now, so he’s made this move (Fedoruk). Some guys will have to step up or there will be other moves.”

He added, “In order to compete against some of the teams in our conference that we need to get ahead of, we need a grittier, more committed physical team. Fedoruk, we didn’t get just to come and fight. He makes us a tougher team.”

Did Brett Hull Save JFJ’s Job?

by Alanah on 11/19/07 at 03:05 PM
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From Jim Kelley at Sports Illustrated,

Is it possible that Brett Hull might save Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Ferguson, Jr.’s job?

Seems illogical, but then logic rarely is a dominant theme at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, a behemoth in terms of producing revenue, but a consistent failure in terms of on-ice success in the NHL.

The buzz for weeks has been that MLSE’s board of directors has been contemplating Ferguson’s dismissal, but the recent appointment of Hull as interim co-director of the Dallas Stars may have made an impact in Toronto.

The argument in favor of keeping the beleaguered Ferguson has long centered on a simple question: “Who can we get to replace him?” That question gave the board some pause this past offseason when several high profile (and under contract) GMs quietly let it be known they weren’t interested in the board’s plan to bring in an experienced hockey man to “mentor” Ferguson.

continued... including a look at shakeups in Dallas, St. Louis and Florida

Mattias Norstrom Placed on IR in Dallas

by Alanah on 11/16/07 at 04:56 PM
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From the Dallas Stars,

The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has placed defenseman Mattias Norstrom on the injured reserve list retroactive to November 9. The Stars also recalled defenseman Mark Fistric from the Iowa Stars, Dallas’ primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Norstrom, 35, suffered a small fracture to his orbital bone in the Stars’ Nov. 7 contest at San Jose and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Doug Armstrong Will Land on his Feet

by Alanah on 11/16/07 at 04:44 PM
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From Pierre Lebrun, CP via MetroNews,

“It’s just part of the business. I’m viewing this as a great time to teach them how to respond to adversity. I have to be strong at home and go out and get another job and let them know that when you have a setback and you have to stand up and get back on your feet.  That’s what society demands and that’s what we demand of ourselves.”

Armstrong’s deal with the Stars pays him through the 2010-11 season but he doesn’t plan on sitting on the couch. He wants to work.

He’s already been contacted from numerous friends around the league and given his excellent reputation he needn’t worry.

“Someone said when you get let go, because it’s never if but when, just make a list of names of people that called you and that’ll give you a pretty good feeling of what you’ve done,” said Armstrong. “So I’ve got that list and I’m on the third or fourth page now. It means a lot when people around the league reach out to you and show their support.”

more...

Ice Level Game Call

by Paul on 11/16/07 at 06:46 AM
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from William Houston of the Globe and Mail,

TSN will use a new play-by-play configuration for tonight’s Montreal Canadiens-Buffalo Sabres telecast. Chris Cuthbert and Glenn Healy will call the game at ice level, which they’ve done before, but this time Pierre McGuire will provide additional analysis from the broadcast booth as an “eye in the sky.”

TSN’s Mike Milbury called the appointment of Brett Hull, who has no managerial experience, to the position of interim co-general manager of the Dallas Stars “an insult” to all NHL general managers.

more hockey notes…

Hull On Hull

by Paul on 11/14/07 at 07:51 PM
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from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,

How would Brett Hull the GM have handled the outspoken, larger-than-life Brett Hull as a player. His answer, word for word:

“You know what? That was the problem. Everyone tried to deal with him (Brett, speaking in the third person) instead of just letting him go out and play - or letting him be himself. If there was a Brett Hull out there right now, I would try to get him - because I know, he’s passionate about the game and brings a dynamic into my room...”.

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Advice For Hull

by Paul on 11/14/07 at 12:44 PM
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from Mike Brophy of the Hockey News,

If I am Brett Hull, I call Bob Gainey and ask him about patience as a GM. How developing and sticking with a game plan is better than always being on the lookout for a one-timer.

If I am Brett Hull, I call Ken Hitchcock and get him to thoroughly explain to me the value of teamwork, preparation and defensive play.

If I am Brett Hull, I call Lombardi and ask him how to build and guide a scouting staff.

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Note: earlier reaction to this news here

Jim Lites Stepping Down

by Paul on 11/14/07 at 10:39 AM
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from the Dallas Morning News,

The Dallas Stars will announce today that Jeff Cogen has been named the new president of the team, according to outgoing president Jim Lites.

Lites is stepping down as president of the Stars, a decision he said was mutual with owner Tom Hicks. Lites will take an expanded role in the Hicks Sports Group.

continued

Note: more on changes with the Stars earlier, here

Wrong Move Dallas

by Paul on 11/14/07 at 08:49 AM
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from the Star-Telegram,

Same coach? Same goaltender? Same guy who hired Armstrong?

Add to that the announcement that Brett Hull was being transferred from the golf course to the interim co-general manager’s office, and it was an odd day at Stars Inc.

Would somebody please explain it to me? I’m wondering what, exactly, does an “interim co-general manager” do? Make trades? Harvest the locker room gossip? Draft the next Sidney Crosby?

Why, after three straight quick playoff exits and after this season’s disappointing start, fire the general manager and not head coach Dave Tippett?

more

Update 12:16pm ET: Scott Burnside of ESPN weighs-in on the Brett Hull selection.

Dallas Stars Have New Interim GMs

by Alanah on 11/13/07 at 06:40 PM
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From the Dallas Stars,

Dallas Stars Chairman of the Board and Owner Thomas O. Hicks announced this afternoon that Brett Hull and Les Jackson have been named Interim Co-General Managers to run the Stars’ Hockey Operations for the remainder of the season. Earlier today Hicks announced that he relieved Doug Armstrong from his duties as General Manager of the hockey club.

*Doug Armstrong was let go earlier today

Dallas Fires GM Doug Armstrong

by Alanah on 11/13/07 at 01:39 PM
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From the Dallas Stars,

Dallas Stars Chairman of the Board and Owner Thomas O. Hicks announced today that he has relieved Doug Armstrong from his duties as General Manager of the hockey club.

“As an owner I have to be responsible for one person in Hockey Operations and that is the General Manager of the team,” said Hicks. “I thought that the team needed a change in direction. I know that change can be healthy and it was my determination that this move needed to be made.  I want the Dallas Stars to return to being one of the elite teams in the league.

continued...

What A Comeback

by Paul on 11/11/07 at 08:47 AM
Comments (2)

Normally I don’t do game recaps, but last night the Kings were down 4-0 going into the 3rd period and came back to win 6-5 in OT…

from the AP via NHL.com,

Marty Turco didn’t seem too rattled after Dustin Brown spoiled his shutout bid with 7:14 left in the third period. After all, the Dallas Stars still had a three-goal lead, so what could possibly spoil it?

How about five goals on six shots?…

“The whole third period was brutal,” Turco said. “Other than embarrassing, it’s a total lack of respect for each other. You can’t just sit back and wait for it to go your way. You’ve got to make things happen. And we haven’t been making enough happen. We were just lucky to get a point out of all that.”

read on…

Watch the comeback…

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President Bush Calls Modano

by Paul on 11/10/07 at 07:19 AM
Comments (10)

from the Dallas Morning News,

The Stars center was on the ice playing the Phoenix Coyotes when a call came from the White House. So he had to wait until Friday morning to take the call in which President Bush offered congratulations to Modano for becoming the all-time American-born point scorer in NHL history.

“He was great,” Modano said. “He just told me how special it was and how I should be proud.”

read on

Modano Gets it Done

by Alanah on 11/08/07 at 01:22 AM
Comments (2)

From the CP via TSN,

Dallas centre Mike Modano broke Phil Housley’s NHL record for career points by an American-born player with two quick goals in the opening minutes of the Stars’ game against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night.

Modano’s two goals in the first 4:24 gave him 1,233 points in 1,253 regular-season games _ 242 games fewer than Housley played.

continued...

added 6:50am, Watch the record breaking goal…

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Housley Feels For Modano

by Alanah on 11/03/07 at 01:30 AM
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From Mike Heika at The Dallas Morning News,

Phil Housley feels for Mike Modano.  He thought his record would be broken earlier in the season, too.

Housley, the owner of the NHL’s all-time scoring record by an American-born player, has been waiting for the phone call telling him that Modano had eclipsed his total.

But Modano’s slow start has allowed the record chase to drag on a bit.

“It’s tough on him, I can tell,” Housley said by phone as he vacationed in Arizona on Friday. “But I know he’s going to get it. It’s just a matter of time.”

continued...

Modano Has No Plans To Waive NTC

by Paul on 11/02/07 at 01:44 PM
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from the Dallas Stars Blog at the Dallas Morning News,

Called up Mike Modano and asked him about the Eklund rumor that he might waive his no-trade clause for a chance to move somewhere else, and Modano said he has not thought about that and doesn’t plan on asking for a trade or waiving his no-trade clause.

“Yeah, I heard about that, too. It’s not true,’’ he said. “I plan on being there tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that. I’m just going to keep showing up and work myself through this.’’

more and thanks to Spector for the pointer…

How many of these made-up rumors have come true?  If you are a true fan of the game, stick to people who actually know the game!

2 Goal NHL Debut

by Alanah on 10/30/07 at 11:49 AM
Comments (4)

From David Pollak at the Mercury News,

The guy hasn’t been around the locker room long enough for the Sharks to agree on his nickname - Coach Ron Wilson calls him Seto, Joe Thornton refers to him as Gooch.

Either way, rookie Devin Setoguchi was the difference-maker Monday night, scoring two third-period goals in his first NHL game to lead the Sharks to a 4-2 comeback victory over the Dallas Stars.

My vote is definitely ‘Seto’. Anyway, just for the heck of it, here’s the video from ESPN showing his career highlights thus far.  Nice way to start.

USA Hockey Milestones in Reach Tonight

by Alanah on 10/29/07 at 02:10 PM
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From Mike Heika at The Dallas Morning News,

Tonight could be a memorable night for USA Hockey.

Stars center Mike Modano sits two points shy of tying Phil Housley for the most points by an American-born player. San Jose forward Jeremy Roenick is two goals shy of becoming only the third American-born player to record 500 goals in his career. Roenick said he’d like to see both milestones attained on the same night.

“It would be nice, because Mike would be in the building,” said Roenick, who contemplated retirement in the off-season. “He’s one of the guys who told me, ‘Hey, you’ve got to stick around,’ which meant the world to me.”

continued...

Travelling in Style

by Alanah on 10/24/07 at 05:33 PM
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The Dallas Stars have a new plane:

It can accommodate up to 71 total passengers, includes 24 fully-reclining, 360-degree swiveling sleeper seats for the players, and has 47 other first-class seats located in three other sections throughout the plane.

The new 757, which will be utilized by both the Stars and the Texas Rangers baseball team, also features an upgraded video entertainment system and an iPod docking station that allows passengers to play movies from a lap-top, iPod or DVD player in each section. There are also two electrical outlets and phone jacks at each seat, a bar in the back, as well as a comfortable four-seat couch.

More can be read here.  The Stars also have a photo gallery to show off their new toy.

Painful Moment in Dallas

by Alanah on 10/24/07 at 02:23 PM
Comments (3)

The Dallas Stars commercial below features the one-and-only Daryl Reaugh.

*youtube video online here

A Squabble in Dallas

by Alanah on 10/10/07 at 04:15 PM
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From Mike Heika’s blog at the Dallas Morning News,

Jeff Halpern is responsible for Mike Smith’s injury, but the Stars said it was not a fight. Halpern and Smith were playing ``the rebound game’’ after practice when the two started to get very competitive. Halpern then (they say) accidentally slashed Smith while going for a puck that was in the air. That led to a verbal confrontation which was very heated. I was in the locker room, so I didn’t see it.

Smith is listed as day to day, but the plan is for Turco to take the next four games. With the way the games are scheduled after that, Turco could actually play every game for the rest of October. A lot will depend upon how well he plays and how hurt Smith is.

And from the Stars, this announcement:

Dallas Stars General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today that the club has activated center Mike Ribeiro from the injured reserve list and placed goaltender Mike Smith on injured reserve, retro-active to October 9.

Trouble In Dallas

by Paul on 10/09/07 at 10:26 AM
Comments (1)

from Jennifer Floyd Engel (the other Little Ball of Hate) of the Star-Telegram,

Dear Jim Lites:

I want to start by apologizing. You wrote Stars fans and local media a letter back in July, and I have been remiss in not answering. Cowboys season has been front of mind, and y’all seemed so convinced that what you wrote was truth, not spin doctoring, that waiting seemed like a prudent course.

No longer.

Rumblings already have begun in the Stars locker room that what plagued this team last season has not been fixed. So I’ve highlighted some of your more cogent points about your fans and your team and responded as necessary:

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Dallas Stars Spaces

by Alanah on 10/05/07 at 03:28 PM
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Some Dallas Stars fan resources.  First, there’s a Stars MySpace page; this is only the second one I’ve seen, other than the Coyotes’ page. (Do other clubs have them? Do you care?) Plus there’s the Dallas Stars Icegirls MySpace page—probably a rather popular destination…

Also a reminder: the Stars “write your own billboard” contest is still going on—entry deadline is October 17th.

The image below is an example from the team’s own website. So I guess the gloves are off in Texas this season.

Stars Have Attendance Issues

by Paul on 10/05/07 at 08:49 AM
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from the Dallas Morning News,

And what about the Stars? Dallas ranked 12th in average tickets distributed at 17,914 last season. It ranked 16th in percentage of capacity at 96.7 percent.

This season, the Stars could fall slightly below that. The season-ticket base is down 10 percent to fewer than 13,000. On some nights, there could be a lot of empty seats.

The same goes for Colorado and Detroit. If those two can’t sell out with Anaheim and Dallas in town on opening night, what kind of crowd will show up for Columbus on a Tuesday in November?

read on

Dallas Stands on Defense

by Alanah on 09/30/07 at 05:31 AM
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From Mike Heika at the Dallas Morning News,

Armstrong said he still wants the Stars team that will open the season on Wednesday at Colorado to be creative offensively. He still wants the coaching staff to squeeze out every goal. He still wants players to reach their goal-scoring potential. But they won’t do that at the expense of a strong team commitment to defense.

“I just am not going to apologize for being one of the best defensive teams in the league,” Armstrong said. “I am not going to apologize for having one of the best regular-season records in the league. We will always strive to improve in every department, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with having a strong identity.”

more...

Modano is Chasing History

by Paul on 09/27/07 at 02:50 PM
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With 507 goals, 719 assists and 1,226 career regular-season points in 17 seasons, Mike Modano of the Dallas Stars enters the 2007-08 season just seven points from establishing a record for NHL points by a U.S.-born player.

Modano is attempting to become just the sixth player in history to hold the U.S. mark; Phil Housley has been the all-time leader since March 13, 1999.

Below is a Mike Modano tribute video, produced by the NHL as the Dallas Star enters his 18th NHL season.

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Mattias Norstrom Leads Without The “C”

by Paul on 09/27/07 at 07:37 AM
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from the Star-Telegram,

When the Stars acquired Norstrom in February, they got a big defenseman who added a more defensive touch to the blue line. They also got a player who has a take-charge quality about him, be it on the ice, in the locker room—or when they had their team-bonding exercises recently in Colorado.

“He’s a natural leader, that’s just who he is,” coach Dave Tippett said. “When you come in the middle of the year, it’s not hard but you don’t get the full effect of things. He’s come in this year and he’s familiar with the group. He’s very good for us, on and off the ice.”

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