Stars News and Notes
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page
It's only two games into the season, but Stars left wing James Neal looks determined not to be slowed by the so-called sophomore slump.
"Everyone always talks about the sophomore slump going into your second year," Neal told Sun Media this week. "But you just have to have a good summer and be prepared for the year. I thought I had a good rookie season, but that's behind me now and I have to keep doing the things that I did to get here and keep things simple and play hard."
Neal, coming off a rookie season that saw him score 24 goals in 77 games, has already popped in three goals in the first two games.
He found a home on a line with center Brad Richards and right wing Loui Eriksson early in training camp. The trio clicked immediately and has shown no signs of slowing down.
Neal's play in Tuesday night's game - in which he had one goal, seven shots, three hits and four takeaways - drew rave reviews on the Oilers postgame show on CHED Radio.
And there was national attention as well. Hockey analyst Bill Clement, appearing XM's Power Play program Wednesday, had some lofty praise for the 22-year-old left wing.
“He looked like an NHL player dropped into a men’s senior league game. He was that good," Clement said of Neal's performance in Tuesday's game. "He looked that much faster, that much stronger and hit that much harder than everybody else in that hockey game. I was really impressed with James Neal.
"I think you can even make the case early in the season is one of the top three or top four all-around young power forwards in the game that bring everything - speed, size, scoring touch, hitting game and smarts. I can see James Neal continuing to push through a ceiling that is there and really becoming a premier player offensive player, and then combine that with the all-around ability he has."
And there was praise from his teammates. The subject of Neal came up during Brenden Morrow's weekly radio show on The Ticket Thursday afternoon.
"I don't know he is going to stay on this pace but he's got a bomb - an absolute bomb - for a shot. He's a big lanky guy, he's been aggressive on forechecks, he's good with his stick at turning pucks over," said Morrow. "I don't think he's playing out of his mind. I think that's what we are expecting from that line with Eriksson coming off the career year and Richie healthy. That line is going to do big things for us and James is kind of a catalyst for that line."
While Neal is getting a lot of praise, he'll also be getting a lot of attention from opponents too as the season moves along. He's ready to handle that part of the sophomore campaign as well.
"It's always a bit of a surprise when a young guy comes into the league, because not a lot is known about him," Neal said. "In your second year, you're going to be paid more attention to. But all good players are looked at in that light and you have to fight through that, because that's what good players do."
Injury update
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Forward Jere Lehtinen (hip/groin) practiced Thursday. He is doubtful for Friday's game in Calgary.
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Center Mike Modano (rib) did not practice Thursday. He is out for Friday.
Quotable
"I think I'm 3-3 in my career. I don't know how many people know that. I am 1-1 in my shootout career and 2-2 on penalty shots. I am waiting for my time. I wouldn't put myself on the top three either. Those three guys out there are pretty skilled, but once in a while I think I could find hole."
Stars captain Brenden Morrow talking about his shootout abilities during his weekly appearance with BaD Radio on The Ticket.
