Stars News & Notes: Turco doubtful, Modano talks about future

Friday, April 03, 2009-10:47:pm
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page                            

Stars goalie Marty Turco is day-to-day with a lower body injury and is doubtful for Saturday, Mike Modano was asked Friday if he's made a decision about playing next season, the Stars sign one of their 2007 draft picks and the Stars are still clinging to life in the playoff race.

Injury update: Turco day-to-day, Stars recall Climie

Stars goalie Marty Turco didn't practice Friday and is listed as day-to-day with a lower body injury. His status appears doubtful for Saturday's game against St. Louis.

The Stars have called up goalie Matt Climie from Idaho of the ECHL on an emergency basis. Climie is 27-12-1 and leads the ECHL with a 2.30 goals-against-average. He also has a .915 save percentage and four shutouts this season.

Also on the injury front, defenseman Trevor Daley (lower body), defenseman Mark Fistric (upper body) and center Brian Sutherby (lower body) all practiced Friday. They are questionable for Saturday, according to coach Dave Tippett.

It appears one of the defensemen could be back in the mix. The Stars assigned defenseman Dan Jancevski back to Hamilton of the AHL on Friday.

Modano on his future

Stars center Mike Modano made an appearance with Norm Hitzges on The Ticket Friday morning and was asked if he had made decision about playing next season. Here's what Modano had to say.

"No, not right now and I probably won't for a while," Modano told Hitzges. "I am going to take a step back for a long, lengthy part of the summer and see how I feel. I think time away from the game is going to help me mentally, just to kind of recharge, think things through and see where the team is heading. They certainly have a lot of things to iron out themselves. I think establishing our farm team in Austin is one of them and getting those kids up and running and the situation there.

"For me, I am going to take some time. I am not going to be in any rush to make that decision. The game has been great to me. Mr. Hicks has been one of the best owners in sports that I've known and been around to play for. If they feel I am suitable to come back and contribute and I they want me back, then certainly I will take that into account."

Stars sign prospect Gazdic

The Stars Friday announced that they had signed prospect Luke Gazdic to a three-year entry-level contract. Gazdic, a 6-3, 233 pound left wing, had 20 goals and 10 assists in 63 games with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League.  He also had a team-high 127 penalty minutes.

"Luke has shown a very good mix of skill and toughness in Erie the last three seasons," Stars co-general manager Les Jackson said in a statement. "He's a tough, physical power forward that is ready to make the jump into the professional ranks. We look forward to his continued development within our system."

Gazdic, a sixth round pick (172nd overall) in 2007, has signed a professional tryout contract with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL and will be on the roster for the Steelheads two remaining games this season and will be available for the ECHL playoffs as well.

Playoff race update: Stars still clinging to life

The Dallas Stars are still clinging to life in the Western Conference playoff race thanks to Nashville losing Friday night. The Stars could be eliminated Saturday if St. Louis picks up a point in their game in Dallas or if Nashville wins against Columbus.

• Nashville lost 3-1 at Chicago Friday. The Predators remain in ninth place, one point behind eighth place St. Louis.
• Minnesota won 4-0 over Calgary to move to within two points of eighth place.

Points pace for eighth; Tragic Number

The points pace for eighth place remained at 89 points following Friday's games. The highest point total the Stars could reach at this point is 86.

The Stars' tragic number remained at one after Friday's' games. The tragic number is the number of points squandered by the Stars or gained by the eighth place team that would eliminate them from the playoffs.

Playoff race standings

The current playoff race standings involving teams 6-12:

Practice lineup

Here were the forward lines used by coach Dave Tippett in Friday's practice.