So, last night when I saw the score against Florida (looks like I picked the right weekend to move and be without TV), my first thought was, "I need to go to practice tomorrow." I wanted to see how the team would be after their worst showing this young season. The most important key that I noticed was Glen Gulutzan was as clam and even keel as every other time I've observed him. This is vital to the success of this team now and in the future, as there's a time and place to rip your team for a poor showing. Hell, even after the loss in Pittsburgh, he was quick to shoulder the blame saying there was "more that he could have done to have them prepared."
The other thing I noticed was the players themselves were more business-like. There were a few smiles, especially from Jamie Benn. It's obvious this kid KNOWS how good he is...and that is confident...not cocky. But it appeared as if the guys knew that was not the Dallas Stars (@dallasstars) brand of hockey they're capable of playing. This team went into a good Carolina arena and completely dominated them, then went into one of the toughest and arguably the hands-on favorite to win the Stanley Cup venues in Washington DC and played their most complete game of the season.
I am concerned that Kari Lehtonen seemed to be very much inside his own head. During the first drills of the afternoon, Eric Nystrom (@enystrom) went high blocker side and Kari slammed his stick to the ice. When he and Andrew Raycroft switch ends, Kari was visibly upset as he pounded the water bottle on top of the net and just stood with his arms on the cross bar, back to the ice as the forwards and defense men were receiving instruction. Kari is proving himself to be among the elite in the league, but he's going to have stinker nights. Just don't let it carry over into practice because if your practice is effected, your games will suffer too.
Steve Ott (@otter2nine) was back on the ice and was obviously happy to be getting back to his routine. His hip that kept him out of 6 games didn't show signs of giving him any issues as he was able to cut back and forth during one-on-one drills. Also, as much speculation has been floating around as to what Gully would do with his top two lines upon Otter's return, Ott was working with Morrow and Ribeiro as it remained Ryder-Benn-Eriksson.
The injury bug that plagued the team last season has shown up early in 2011. Of course Ott is returning from missing six games with his hip pointer and Alex Goligoski (@gollygoose33) was placed on IR retroactive November 11th with a broken thumb after taking a puck off his hand. Well, now add Adam Burish to that list as he is expected to miss four to six weeks with a broken hand of his own. The great Bruce LeVine (@brucelevine22) tweeted a great point today: This and Goligoski's injury are a reminder why depth was more important than Brad Richards.
And the biggest news of all will be coming in a few days, but speculation is running rampant as it appears as if the Tom Hicks stranglehold will be released on Friday and the Tom Gaglardi era will soon begin. First item of business is being reported that former Stars president, Jim Lites will be returning to his old position that he held during the team's glory days in the late 90's. Hold on folks! These next few days are about to be magical!
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