Stars News and Notes: Modano out after appendectomy
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page
The Dallas Stars will be without center Mike Modano for probably a couple weeks after he underwent surgery to have his appendix removed Monday.
Modano, who did not practice with the team Monday morning in Frisco, is out indefinitely but the Stars believe he'll be back before the end of the regular season.
"I would think he'll play again this season," said Stars coach Marc Crawford. "We’ll just have to see how he comes out of it. He'll be indefinite until we see how he comes out of it."
Modano could be back in two weeks.
There's no immediate plans to call up another forward. The Stars are carrying 14 forwards and Crawford said he'll probably insert Brian Sutherby into the lineup Tuesday night against San Jose.
Modano's the second Stars player to have an appendectomy this season. Forward Steve Ott had one just prior to the Olympic break.
Modano, 39, has played in 54 games for the Stars this season, registering 13 goals and 13 assists. He missed 13 games early in the season with a rib injury suffered in the season opener and he missed one game with a knee injury in February.
Grossman getting close
Defenseman Nicklas Grossman, who has missed the last four games with a back injury, practiced Monday in Frisco and is getting closer to a return.
"I'll have a more definitive answer tomorrow," said Stars coach Marc Crawford. "But it looks like he is ready."
Lehtonen to start Tuesday
Goaltender Kari Lehtonen, who took over for Marty Turco in the second period of Sunday's game against Colorado, will get his second start as a Dallas Star Tuesday night against the San Jose Sharks.
"He’s had a good couple weeks with us now and he’s getting more familiar and, more importantly, conditioning-wise he’s ready to get the start, " Stars coach Marc Crawford said. "We're going to give him the opportunity and we’re hoping he comes in and plays a strong game."
Lehtonen's first start as a Stars came March 6 in Pittsburgh. He allowed six goals on 34 shots and showed signs of rust and fatigue in that game.
"I think I am more ready now than I was in Pittsburgh," said Lehtonen. "Now I just need to go out there and help this team. I am confident I can do that."
Lehtonen's start in that Pittsburgh game was his first NHL start since April 2009. He was coming off two offseason back surgeries and his only game action this season prior to being acquired by the Stars from Atlanta was a four-game conditioning stint in the AHL in late January.
"He's had an extended training camp almost," said Crawford. "For him this is game four or five of the season and unfortunately it's a playoff pace. But today's he's way more ready than he was coming back from the break to handle the rigors and intensity of these games."
Said Stars goaltending coach Mike Valley: "He's definitely got himself in better playing shape. When you are off that long it takes a little bit. We've had time to work on some goaltending specific drills. He's really itching to get in there, so it's going to be good for him. I don't know if there's a dramatic difference in that week-and-a-half other than getting some practice time in. I think it's going to come down to getting into a game, seeing some shots and feeling good about yourself in a game environment."
