Opportunity knocks, Segal answers
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page
Sometimes all a player needs is an opportunity. Brandon Segal is getting that opportunity with the Dallas Stars and he is making the most of it right now.
"Half the battle in this game is finding the right spot and a good fit," Segal said after Wednesday's practice in Frisco. "Obviously, it's been great so far. I am really happy the way things have been going. The team, staff and organization have treated me great. I couldn't ask for anything more."
And the 26-year-old Segal has paid dividends for the team. He's registered five goals and three assists in seven games since the Stars plucked him off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings just before the Olympic break.
He's had four multi-point games and nobody on the Stars' roster has scored more goals than Segal since he played his first game with the team in Phoenix on February 13.
Not bad for a guy who has bounced around five different minor league teams since 2003-04 and had one goal and one assist in 27 career NHL games before joining the Stars.
"He's been a great addition to our club," said Stars coach Marc Crawford.
Of course, playing on a line with Mike Ribeiro and Brenden Morrow helps.
"When you're playing with two very skilled players and two big name players in the league, it makes it pretty easy," Segal said. "Obviously we've been clicking together, we've been working hard and things have been working well for us."
Segal's scored three goals and picked up one assist over the last two games for the Stars while playing on a line with Ribeiro and Morrow.
"He seems to have found a home on that line, playing with a terrific playmaker like Ribeiro," said Crawford. "But you have to give him credit for subtlety doing some very positive things. There's a guy that's got a couple of tip-in goals, a couple of quick release goals and it's been goal scoring habits that he's showed.
"Dave Taylor (Stars' Director of Player Personnel) told us that subtlety he's got some great talent and the more you watch him, you more you say, 'he does this well, he does that well.' He's not the guy that's fleetest of foot, but he works hard."
There's nothing fancy about Segal's role. It's about being strong on the forecheck, being physical and bringing some energy to the line.
"I go in and take the body and create space for the other two guys," said Segal. "Brenden does the same thing. He goes in and will crash and bang and create separation. We try to control the puck and with Ribeiro you try to get open with that guy because he will find you any where. He's one of the most skilled guys in the league."
And Ribeiro likes having Segal as an option, because the 6-2, 209 pound forward is a right-handed shot. Before his arrival, Jere Lehtinen was the only other right shot among the Stars' group of forwards.
"[Segal's] a guy with a hard shot and he hits the net with his shot most of the time too. He's a big body too. He's a right shot," said Ribeiro, who prefers having a left-handed and a right-handed shot on his wings. "It gives you different options on the ice, different angles. It's easier on the breakouts and easier to play with. We can use those corners in the offensive zone and can we have one-timers on both sides. I've always liked that and I hope we can stay together."
Segal also drew high marks from Crawford for dropping the gloves with Matt Hendricks on Sunday after the Colorado forward nailed Stars defenseman Karlis Skrastins along the boards
"I like the fact that in the Colorado game that he showed another side of himself, which is the toughness and the physical nature with which he can play," said Crawford. "He came of the aid of a teammate. Those things - although it didn't pay an immediate dividend - it serves the team very well and in a funny sort of way it brings people closer together. It makes everybody realize that you are definitely with us and one of us. As much as that's cliché, I think it's important that players make their presence felt and let everybody know that they are there through thick and thin."
Not only has Segal, who is under contract for next season, been adjusting to his new team, which obviously has been going well, he's getting used to living in a new area as well. He's got a place in downtown Dallas and although he hasn't had a lot of time to look around, so far so good.
"I love downtown, the restaurants and the people. It's been great so far.," Segal said. "And the weather, can't complain."
As for checking out the city more thoroughly, Segal hopes he can delay that for a while. There's still work to do over the final games of the regular season.
"There's a long road ahead of us here," he said. "We've got 13 games left and we want to make the best run possible for a playoff spot."
