Dallas Stars

[bondon]

I'd like to thank Jason Spezza for going ice cold just as I was trying to sell high on him.

[NoWayOut]

Nuke toiling away. Playing badly? Or just a victim of the fact that the top six are playing well enough to not tinker?

He's playing some of his best hockey so far, but still can't buy a point. He's improving his play away from the puck, making better decisions with it since the demotion, but he's going to have to keep grinding until Ruff feels there's an opening.

Knowing Lindy he could turn lines on their collective heads tomorrow, and he does have Moen, Eaves, and McKenzie nearing return. The scenario I think might happen there is Faksa goes down, Fidds goes back to 4C, Eakin back to 3C, Spezza moves back inside, and maybe Ruff gives Val a trial on his wing. IF, if he does it's probably on a short leash, and hopefully he can seize it.

[NoWayOut]

I'd like to thank Jason Spezza for going ice cold just as I was trying to sell high on him.

Ruff's decision to kick him to wing hasn't helped matters.

[Instant Karma]

Ruff's decision to kick him to wing hasn't helped matters.

Ruff is like me with my fantasy team. I just can't resist tinkering with it, even if it's winning...

[NoWayOut]

Klingberg you magnificent bastitch.... A thing of beauty!

[blayze]

Klingberg = Karlsson 2.0

[Big Ev]

Klingberg = Karlsson 2.0

I would say he's OEL if he was on a way better team. He fits him more stylistically

[NoWayOut]

Klingberg = Karlsson 2.0

Nah...OK=Original Klingberg!

Goes without saying that was a successful home stand. Should have beaten the Leafs, but hey, they won the two they really, really needed to. That leaves two more big tests left take, how they fare against the Blues and Preds, and how do they respond to the first losing streak. I'd even add the Hawks to St. Louis and Nashville, in spite of their start, as a measuring stick game. Loads of hockey left but most nights you can see incremental improvements in at least one or two areas. If they can keep learning, growing, and winning all at the same time....

Speaking of Klingberg, I had to chuckle at the headline on NBC about how you can't ignore Klinger anymore after last night. If last night was when you finally figured out he's pretty F'ing good, you haven't been paying attention before last night. Tell us something we didn't already know NBC.

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2015/11/15/...fter-saturday/

I was ripping the replay official a new arsehole for bungling the goalie interference call on the Wild's first goal. In hindsight, thank you, anonymous blind moron. Without your incompetence we wouldn't have been treated to that beautiful Seguin-Klingberg two-on-one. Silver linings.

Faksa sent back down today to make room for Moen and Eaves. It was inevitable, but Faksa played very well and has served notice that he can be a good role player for the Stars. Just needs to bide his time.

[NoWayOut]

Curtis McKenzie was reassigned to Texas and with that all of the Texas Stars players are back in Cedar Park.

Mark Stepneski had today's lines in the morning skate as:

Benn-Seguin-Sharp
Janmark-Spezza-Eaves
Roussel-Eakin-Nichushkin
Sceviour-Fiddler-Hemsky

[STONE.]

Any news on Brett Ritchie? I haven't been able to find any updates. Gotta think he's starting to rehab a bit?
I'm sure he'll spend some AHL time this season, but hopefully he gets into some games with the big club too.

[NoWayOut]

I haven't heard or read anything since early October. At last report he was skating but not expected back until sometime in December or possibly January. The timetable given after the surgery was 3-4 months, so that window should start to open here in the next 3 weeks. The Stars have studied at the New England Patriots School of Advanced Injury Report Obfuscation, also known as "We aren't saying much more than jackshit even if you pull our fingernails out".

[Axeman33]

I'd say he's still weeks away from returning, and that's probably returning to the AHL for conditioning at the very least. I wouldn't expect to see him ready for Dallas until the new year, assuming they even need him at that point.

This tweet was from Oct 31st.

https://twitter.com/brandonworley/st...73792557596672

The Stars get Brett Ritchie back in December...

I am trying to find out some more details on his return.

[NoWayOut]

I'd say he's still weeks away from returning, and that's probably returning to the AHL for conditioning at the very least. I wouldn't expect to see him ready for Dallas until the new year, assuming they even need him at that point.

This tweet was from Oct 31st.

https://twitter.com/brandonworley/st...73792557596672



I am trying to find out some more details on his return.

I jumped in on Heika's live chat to see if he's got any new info.....

[Axeman33]

I jumped in on Heika's live chat to see if he's got any new info.....

Cool. He's in the loop. I tweeted Mark Stepneski and asked if he had any info on when he may return. This was his reply to me:

https://twitter.com/StarsInsideEdge/...86655343841280

@chrispudsey @Walker_K_Priddy Some time next month.

Thanks for nothing that we didn't already know. LOL!

[NoWayOut]

Cool. He's in the loop. I tweeted Mark Stepneski and asked if he had any info on when he may return. This was his reply to me:

https://twitter.com/StarsInsideEdge/...86655343841280



Thanks for nothing that we didn't already know. LOL!

That's about what I'm expecting, if my question even makes the cut. Also asked what the chances are that he could even break into the rotation when he does come back. Honestly if they keep this up he's going to need an injury to open the door to even see the ice in Dallas this season. But there's still a lot of hockey to play and things can, or should I say, will change.