Us having no cap space is really biting us in the ass, I think we would have traded for a #4/5 right now (or signed Malik or something) if it wasn't for that.
I come in peace. Just an outsider's observation...
You guys have a very good team, you just miss Lehtinen and Zubov. Other than that, if Turco plays better, you guys shouldn't have a problem making the playoffs.
Avery though, looks like he's going through the motions.
And the Devils did tonight. There were several times I was wondering if the Stars blue line were tying their laces instead of trying to hold the line, including one where Niskanen looked dead that lead to a score.
Yeah - not to pile on or anything, but that Madden goal was a good example of the defense not closing the gap. Martin just stepped up uncontested and dished to center once the D shifted to him... from there Madden could walk straight in.
That just shouldn't ever happen - gotta slow them down coming into your zone with gap control and buy time for the backcheckers to do their job.
I also think it's sad to see Modano on the 3rd line... shouldn't he still be at the very least 2nd line center? I hope he's getting PP time on a regular basis regardless... he deserves that.
Yeah - not to pile on or anything, but that Madden goal was a good example of the defense not closing the gap. Martin just stepped up uncontested and dished to center once the D shifted to him... from there Madden could walk straight in.
That just shouldn't ever happen - gotta slow them down coming into your zone with gap control and buy time for the backcheckers to do their job.
I also think it's sad to see Modano on the 3rd line... shouldn't he still be at the very least 2nd line center? I hope he's getting PP time on a regular basis regardless... he deserves that.
Better luck the rest of the way boys...
That play and goal never happens if the ref calls the tripping call on the Devils D not 30 sec -1min before the goal is scored. Petersen was upended right in front of the ref and Dallas already being behind the 8ball that call should of been called. NJ played a good game and there is no doubting that...there is no question they were the better team but man you guys clutch and grab more than any team i have seen this year.
Be nice, Addison. There were a lot of things not called on both teams.
RG - Modano is allegedly the third line center, but the Stars love to roll at least three lines, if not all four. He's still getting in the 15-17 minutes a game range, and he's been one of their most effective forwards thus far.
He's also stated he likes playing with the two rookies on his wings, so it seems like a win-win situation right now (except, you know, they're not winning).
You also hit the nail on the head with the Stars biggest problem - they're allowing opponents to gain speed through the neutral zone, and they're not able to deal with that speed in their own end. *kills them all*
i think all of the off season people got far too carried away with how good niskanen, grossman and fistric actually are. They had a good rookie season but alot of there mistakes were saved by the likes of robidas and norstrom who made them look good..everyone thought we could go 82 with these 3 to carry a top minute load...and they are all (except maybe grossman) getting found out..theyre still boys and not ready ready to be top minute guys...
i know zubov missed most of last year and norstrom big chucks too. but when it came to big time playoff games, they were the ones who carried us against the big teams, and at the moment there not there and so we have a "b" grade defense plain and simple..
neither of these 3 players are ready for top minutes despte everyones opinions...bouchers been ordinary too, but with his injury interupted pre season and end to last season..im gonna wait till about the 12 game mark for him to get back to hoprfully his 06-07 self or at least signs he is on the way back up, which i still think he can be...but its time to stop thining these kids are ready to be top minutes guys on a defense first dallas team...when zubovs back i want something like this
zubov-robidas
daley-boucher
niskanen-grossman
the kids arent ready (on D) so its time to lean on our veterans to get us through this tough time and hopefully be over 500 come chistmas...otherwise i will be worried....
Ok so theres my rant...might not be accurate or make sense an im sure ill read it tomorrow and think im wrong hehe...but i wanted to vent a little...
I come in peace. Just an outsider's observation...
You guys have a very good team, you just miss Lehtinen and Zubov. Other than that, if Turco plays better, you guys shouldn't have a problem making the playoffs.
Avery though, looks like he's going through the motions.
I think that about it sums it up. You lose your two best defensive players at their respective positions. I know last year Lehtinen was hurt, and I believe Zubov was as well... but how much overlapped?
Once Zubov comes back, the defense will settle down. Less experienced guys will get less minutes, but of higher quality. Your PP will get better because of him, as will the PK. And I don't have to tell you how much Lehtinen means to the PK, and the team as a whole really.
Turco was very good in that first period. I'd say the Madden goal was bad (I think it was the second one). But Turco is a great goalie. I think he benefits from having Zubov back there, being such a good stick handler he dishes it out to him, and then Zubov takes it from there.
I know the Stars are a much better team than this. I think your D, with the lack of Zubov, feels that added pressure. But NJ started off pretty bad last year as well. They finished off 4th in the East. Don't sweat it. And heck, you beat the Rangers... so we love you for that.
I also think it's sad to see Modano on the 3rd line... shouldn't he still be at the very least 2nd line center? I hope he's getting PP time on a regular basis regardless... he deserves that.
Ribeiro and Richards are centers of the future.
Modano is no where near the offensive level he use to be (or at least he wasn't last season).
But yea, he's always on the point on the PP regardless.
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Dallas Stars - Arsenal FC - FC Dallas - Alabama Crimson Tide - Kentucky Wildcats - SMU Mustangs Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs - 1997 to 2011 - WPHL Champions 1998, 1999, 2000 - CHL Champions 2011
i think all of the off season people got far too carried away with how good niskanen, grossman and fistric actually are. They had a good rookie season but alot of there mistakes were saved by the likes of robidas and norstrom who made them look good..everyone thought we could go 82 with these 3 to carry a top minute load...and they are all (except maybe grossman) getting found out..theyre still boys and not ready ready to be top minute guys...
i know zubov missed most of last year and norstrom big chucks too. but when it came to big time playoff games, they were the ones who carried us against the big teams, and at the moment there not there and so we have a "b" grade defense plain and simple..
neither of these 3 players are ready for top minutes despte everyones opinions...bouchers been ordinary too, but with his injury interupted pre season and end to last season..im gonna wait till about the 12 game mark for him to get back to hoprfully his 06-07 self or at least signs he is on the way back up, which i still think he can be...but its time to stop thining these kids are ready to be top minutes guys on a defense first dallas team...when zubovs back i want something like this
zubov-robidas
daley-boucher
niskanen-grossman
the kids arent ready (on D) so its time to lean on our veterans to get us through this tough time and hopefully be over 500 come chistmas...otherwise i will be worried....
Ok so theres my rant...might not be accurate or make sense an im sure ill read it tomorrow and think im wrong hehe...but i wanted to vent a little...
Come on STARS get back on track!!
why would you put Grossman, our best defensive defenseman, on the third pair? Niskanen should be a scratch.
