Krahn hopes he’s finally on the NHL path

Friday, February 13, 2009-1:07:am
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page                            

Stars goalie Brent Krahn's first three games as a backup to Marty Turco were in a way a glimpse of where he was and where he'd like to go. 

In each of those three games Krahn shared a bond with a goalie on the other side. There was New York's Henrik Lundqvist on Friday, who didn't play due to illness. Sunday it was former Star Dan Ellis, the starter for Nashville. And on Wednesday it was both Coyotes starter Ilya Bryzgalov and backup Mikael Tellqvist.

The bond? They were all selected in the 2000 NHL Entry draft.

The Calgary Flames took Krahn in the first round (9th overall) 2000. He was the top ranked goalie in Central Scouting's North American rankings all season until just before the draft, when Rick DiPietro opted in and was moved to the top spot.  DiPietro went first overall to the New York Islanders and Krahn was the second goalie selected. Bryzgalov (44th overall) and Ellis (60th overall) both went in the second round. Tellqvist (70th overall) went in the third round. Lundqvist didn't go until the seventh round and 205th overall.

Those four goalies Krahn has seen in the past few days have all established themselves in the NHL in varying degrees. Krahn, highly touted as a prospect because of his size and agility, is still waiting to breakthrough and get his first taste of NHL game action.

"As you get more experiences you learn that people's path to the NHL is different," said Krahn, who is just 26-years-old. "Some guys get there right away and some guys take a bit of time. For me it's taking some time."

Krahn's path to the NHL was sidetracked by injuries, most notably a problem with his kneecap.

"I had this problem since I was playing midget hockey in Canada. It's doesn't completely dislocate, it slides off and pops back in," said Krahn. "There were a few dislocations along the way. It was off and on since I was 15-years-old."

The knee problems started taking a toll his last two years in junior hockey and continued to be a problem as he toiled away in the Flames' minor league system. After playing 57 games in 2004-05, he played only 28 games in 2006-07 and 14 last season. Last spring, Krahn opted to get the kneecap problem corrected surgically.

"I had a few surgeries on my knee, but never one to correct the patella subluxation problem. It got to the point where I couldn't play through it anymore and I had to get something done," Krahn said. "The doctors operated April 4 and it's the best it's felt since I was 17."

That was after a long summer of rehab that stretched into the fall. The Stars agreed to a deal with Krahn in the offseason, patiently waited for him to be ready and then put him in the minors. 

"Working back up the ladder," said Krahn. "Started off in Vegas and that was getting my feet under me again and stopping some pucks in game action."

The Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL was his first stop. He played there for a month, seeing his first game action in early November.  In the middle of December it was on to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL, where he played eight games and posted a 2.28 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.

"Picked up my game more and got more games. I got more games in less time, playing three in four nights or three in five," said Krahn. "I got more repetition and started finding my groove a bit more. Now I am here and I've got to keep looking to build and move my way up."

Krahn was called up to Dallas when the Stars sent Tobias Stephan to Bridgeport to get some playing time as Marty Turco continued to start every game in goal. It's not known if Krahn will see a game during this stint with the Stars, but he is relishing the opportunity to be in the NHL.

"It's getting better every day," said Krahn. "It's nice to be working with an elite goaltender like Marty Turco. He does so many things right that help make you successful. I am just here soaking it up, working hard and trying to be the best team guy I can be. The team's been great. The guys here and the personnel are unbelievable. I am having a lot of fun."

The reviews of the 6-4, 212 pound Krahn were favorable as well.

"There's commitment to the team and himself in preparing well. He gets here early and is excited to play. That's a good sign to see from a young guy," said Turco. "He's got tons of skill. He's a big man, who is real agile and that's a great recipe for a goaltender."

Stars coach Dave Tippett said he likes what he has seen of Krahn.

"He looks like he is getting more comfortable. The first couple of days he was very excited to be here. It was almost giddiness.  I've watched him very close in practice here the past few days and he's very solid. Very solid," Tippett said. "He looks like a good goaltender. You never know until he gets into a game, but he has the look of a good goaltender."

And Krahn hopes to prove that. With the knee issue hopefully behind him and the experiences he has learned along the way, Krahn has himself a fresh start.

"I feel like my old self. I've been through a lot and it's made me grow up. I've learned how to be a pro and I've learned how to play goal in a more efficient manner and I've learned the mental aspects. It's all helped me become who I am today.

"Everybody has their own path to the NHL and I am just here to keep working hard and do what ever the team needs me to do."

And if the Stars need him to play?

"I am ready to go," he said.

Stars notes

• Jere Lehtinen and Steve Ott did not practice Thursday. Both had the day off. Mark Parrish and Landon Wilson took their spots on a line with Mike Ribeiro. Here were the lines used in Thursday's practice: