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 Stars News & Notes

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Stars center Toby Petersen has a reputation as a versatile player who can play in any situation and all three forward spots. And some times that versatility on the ice can go beyond just playing center, right wing or left wing.

"My last couple of periods in Iowa I was playing defense, so you never know," Petersen pointed out after Thursday's optional skate in Frisco. 

Actually, playing on defense is nothing new to Petersen. He's done it on the NHL level as well. Last season the Edmonton Oilers put Petersen on the blue line when they ended up short on defensemen due to injuries.

"Versatility, that's my tag. It has just followed me around," Petersen said. "Coaches have always told me that I can play any position at any time."

Of course, the Stars didn't bring Petersen in to play defense. They brought him in to add some depth at forward down the stretch, and he said he expects the Stars to tap into his versatility.

"I am sure they'll be looking at that here, getting me used to systems and make sure I have a good knowledge of what every guy has to do in case I have to play right wing or left wing," Petersen said.

The 29-year-old Minneapolis native, who was called up on Tuesday after clearing re-entry waivers, was one of the bright spots in Wednesday night's 2-1 loss to Phoenix.

He played on a line with Stu Barnes and Brad Winchester and that trio combined for the Stars' only goal of the game.

"Stu pulled me aside and pulled Brad aside and said 'We haven't worked together before, so let's stick to the basics.' That helped a lot," Petersen said.

Petersen has been compared to Barnes because both are smart players who can move around the lineup and play in all kinds of situations.

"Toby is a real speed guy with good skill," said Barnes. "He has a lot of experience and is a lot better player than he gets credit for."

Petersen, who was signed as a free agent over the summer, and his linemates got a good review from Stars coach Dave Tippett.

"He was very good," Tippett said. "I thought their line was very good. Played with speed and intensity. They were rewarded with a goal."

And when it comes to Petersen, Tippett brought up that versatility issue.

"He's a versatile player," Tippett said. "There are two things. He has the skill and speed to play in a lot of situations and he has the smarts. He's a clever player. He picks up on things very quickly and makes adjustments very quickly. That's a nice utility player to have."

Injury update

• Stars defenseman Philippe Boucher, who injured his shoulder in Wednesday's game, had x-rays take on Thursday. It's not the same shoulder Boucher had surgery on earlier this season. No word yet on what the x-rays showed. "He's not a player on the weekend, that's for sure," Stars coach Dave Tippett said after Thursday's optional skate. Boucher is considered week-to-week.
   

• Tippett said defenseman Sergei Zubov, who had surgery on his foot February 24, is progressing on schedule. The Stars said Zubov would return in three to four weeks following the surgery, which puts him coming back in late March. Zubov wasn't wearing skates, but did go on the ice during Thursday's optional skate and shoot some pucks around from near the bench. He was still wearing the protective boot on his injured foot.

Minor league note: Lammer's named ECHL's Player of the Month

Idaho Steelheads left wing John Lammers has been named the ECHL's Player of the Month for February. Lammers scored 14 goals, including on the power play, and had nine assists in 14 games as the Steelheads went 8-4-2 during the month.

Lammers, a third round pick (86th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, has 23 goals and 12 assists in 25 games for Idaho this season.

Quotable

"Those were pre-lockout."

Stars captain Brenden Morrow, during his weekly appearance on The Ticket, when asked where the easy games on the schedule are.