Today's practice has caused quite the stir with people who cover this team for a living and people like me who wish they did. With the injury to Adam Burish (broken hand), Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) head coach, Glen Gulutzan has done the "unthinkable." He has split up his "top" line of Loui Eriksson-Jamie Benn-Michael Ryder. Today those in attendance were treated to Jamie Benn working with Steve Ott (@otter2nine) and Eriksson joining the Brenden Morrow-Mike Ribeiro line. The instant Ott-Benn were on the ice, you could just tell they met this change with open arms. Ott on two separate occassions had PERFECT saucer passes that just stuck to the tape of Benn's stick, but not for long as Benn would, with one motion as fluid as a stream pouring into an ocean, bury the puck in the top of the net...once, knocking the water bottle belonging to Andrew Raycroft up off the net.
Eriksson with Morrow and Ribeiro will take a little while longer to gel as it was evident with the passes just out of Eriksson's reach that #10 and #63 are less accustomed to playing with a winger with such breakout speed. There were even times where Brenden seemed lost and wasn't sure of the drill, at one point, motioning assistant coach, Stu Barnes over for an explanation.
I'm going to swallow my pride and just admit this now and get it out of the way. Apparently my disdain with Trevor Daley stemmed from the evidently wrong system brought in by former head coach, Marc Crawford. Daley's numbers are very strong this year and it seems that he's getting caught up ice less often than last year. I'm not saying I fully trust him just yet, as he's made several Daley-esque mistakes this year, but I like that he's able to adapt to Gully's system and at a rapid pace.
Kari, Kari, Kari. What are we gonna do with you? People start throwing around the word "Vezina" and you just don't seem "right." I even felt compelled to send a question to Mark Stepneski (@andrewsdsp) who covers the Stars for ESPNDallas.com asking if he thought Kari may be dealing with an injury. I can see having a lackluster practice the day after the Florida Panthers game, but he seemed VERY dejected today. He was very slow to get off the ice when going down for a save and in the not-so-often times he actually stopped the puck, he paused for a few seconds, as if he were unconfident as to where the puck was and what it was about to do in terms of a rebound.
I love seeing new faces at the practice facility in Frisco. I realize that makes it sound like a hangout, but I mean it. I enjoy seeing people taking advantage of watching this team when possible. Most important is that it's FREE to attend! It allows an opportunity to literately stand up against the glass (there are bleachers if standing isn't your gig) and literately have Sheldon Souray (@SSouray) stand in front of you (we're talking the thickness of the glass) and wind up that "wonderbomb" shot of his. Or, if speed is your thing, then to be able to practically feel Eric Nystrom (@enystrom) fly by you will no doubt leave an impression in your mind the rest of the day.
Don't forget, we're going to have a live game thread on Saturday during the Stars vs. San Jose Sharks game that starts at 7:00PM. Details to come on how to take part via http://www.paranoidfan.com/ and you'll be enterened in a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Stars game against the New York Islanders on Saturday, 12/3. You will be able to purchase your tickets for $25 if you're interested in attending, just DM me on twitter @TonyJar34 if you're interested by Monday the 21st.
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