Stars News and Notes: Back to work
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page
The Olympics may be still be going but the Olympic break is over for the Dallas Stars. They were back on the ice in Frisco on Friday. And they are hoping to pick up where they left off just before the break.
The Stars were 4-1-1 in their last six games before the break and pulled to within one point of the final playoff spot. Now the goal is to get into the top eight.
"It's pretty easy, win," said Stars goaltender Marty Turco. "We had a good finish, especially on the road into the break, and we have to come out producing like that out of the break. It’s just imperative. No team’s going to go into the tank, or at least you assume not."
The Stars are getting healthier as they get ready to resume play on Tuesday. Forward Steve Ott, who missed the final three games before the break because an emergency appendectomy, was on the ice Friday.
"I am doing better," Ott said after the team came off the ice. "I am still a little sore but I was pretty happy with today's skate. I felt pretty close to 100 percent, which was nice. I look to return next game."
Also on the ice was defenseman Mark Fistric, who missed the last four games due to arthroscopic knee surgery.
"Coming along," Fistric said. "The break has been good for me, rehabbing and I've been at the rink a lot. Still have a ways to go, but overall it's going pretty well. I was happy with it today. I got a little fatigued at the end, but no soreness."
Forward Brian Sutherby, who missed the last six games due to a shoulder injury, also practiced Friday.
"He hasn't been cleared for ultimate contact, he's been cleared for practice," said Stars coach Marc Crawford. "He's been cleared for light contact. The same with Steve and Mark Fistric."
Not on the ice were the Stars' four Olympians. Brenden Morrow (Canada) and Jere Lehtinen (Finland) played on Friday and will play this weekend as well. They are expected to join the team Tuesday. Loui Eriksson (Sweden) and Karlis Skrastins (Latvia) saw their tournaments end earlier in the week and aren't scheduled to join the team until Monday.
Lehtonen on the ice
Goaltender Kari Lehtonen, acquired from the Atlanta Thrashers on February 9, was on the ice for his first practice in Frisco.
Lehtonen, who hasn't played in an NHL game since last April due to back problems, is coming off a conditioning stint with Chicago of the AHL.
"I do some things before I go on the ice to keep the back warm and flexible," Lehtonen said of his back. "But it’s no problem on the ice."
Stars coach Marc Crawford said they'd like to get Lehtonen in a game as soon as possible, but the decision on who plays will be made on a game-by-game basis.
"Our plan is we're going to try to win every game. That's the way it has to be," Crawford said. "Marty [Turco] is going to get the first game (Tuesday vs. Los Angeles) and that's as far as we've gone. For the sake of planning we do want to get Kari in. I don't think it's fair for him to go too long without playing. Apart from getting him into a game fairly quick, we're going to take a look at each game and do what ever we can to try to win it. That's what our schedule dictates, that's what our position dictates and that's what our players expect us to do."
Auld placed on re-entry waivers
The Stars placed goaltender Alex Auld on re-entry waivers Friday. Teams have until 11 am (CT) to claim Auld and pay only half of his remaining salary, which is just under $250,000 at this point in the season.
Stars goalie Marty Turco talked about Auld being placed on waivers following Friday's practice.
"I've seen him today. It's a real crappy part of the business," Turco said. "I've had a great season with Alex so far. He's such a good guy and a great goalie who I looked forward to coming to work with every day. We're disappointed that changes were made. I am going to miss him."
