Stargazing is a daily assortment of Dallas Stars news, as well as a look at what's happening around the Pacific division and the rest of the NHL. Stargazing will run on Mondays and Thursdays, becoming a daily feature once the preseason begins.

While Mike Modano might be considered by some to be too old to make the United States Olympic hockey team (not our view here at Defending Big D), Brenden Morrow is considered anything but for Canada. As you will discover in today's Stargazing, Morrow is very well thought of north of the border. Still, it raises the question: Do you like to see Dallas Stars playing in the Olympics? Particularly one as crucial to the team as your Captain? I have to admit, it makes me very uneasy, but how could you deny anyone a chance to represent their country? (You can't really, the CBA says they can go play). Dallas Maverick fans have watched nervously for years as Dirk Nowitzki goes off to Germany to add extra mileage to his knees and ankles every summer, but that was finally stopped this year, with Dirk no worse for wear. Will watching Morrow, and possibly Modano in the Olympics next year make you more nervous, or proud?

Stars News and Notes:

The London Free Press seems to think that Brenden Morrow is a no-brainer for team Canada next February:

Needing some grit to go with skill up front, Dallas Stars captain Brenden Morrow is good as gold as long as he’s healthy, leaving others such as Ryan Smyth and Shane Doan to battle it out early in the upcoming NHL season with young hopefuls Milan Lucic, Patrick Sharp and Jeff Carter for one of those 23 spots on the team.

And I wish I was as optimistic as CBC.ca is about major knee surgery:

Brenden Morrow, Dallas Stars — Hard-nosed captain a force in front of the net; should bounce back fine from November knee surgery.

Still, it's nice to see the Canadian media has nothing but praise for our fearless leader...

The Ottawa Citizen on Morrow at camp Canada:

LW BRENDEN MORROW

Dallas, 30: Only five-foot-11, but grit is never questioned. Suffered a knee injury early last season -- after his heroic turn in the 2008 post-season -- and suited up only 18 times. Natural leader. Five 20-goals seasons for Stars captain. A career plus-115. As 22-year-old, he was invited to the 2002 Olympic orientation camp.

And still even higher praise coming from the Winnipeg Sun:

Size isn't everything, and smaller guys with heart have a place. But there probably isn't room for both Martin St. Louis and the younger, angrier Corey Perry.

Thanks for everything, Ryan Smyth, but your time as Captain Canada should be over with Shane Doan showing he can still score and Brenden Morrow becoming one of the best two-way players in the game over the past few NHL seasons.

That guy must own even more Brenden Morrow jerseys than I do.

Stars goaltending prospect Tyler Beskorowany gets some love from a local paper in Kingston, wherever that is:

Another goaltending coach who keeps an eye on Beskorowany is Andy Moog, the former Edmonton Oilers puck-stopper who is now the goaltending coach for Dallas.

"He keeps close tabs on me. He came to Owen Sound three times during (last) season. I'm expecting he's going to come and see me in Kingston, too," Beskorowany said.

The six-foot-five netminder hadn't talked to Moog since his trade to Kingston last week. Beskorowany did speak to Tim Bernhardt, director of amateur scoring for Dallas and a good friend of Frontenacs assistant coach and former Sudbury Wolves assistant coach Darren Keily, when he was shipped to the Frontenacs for forward Bobby Mignardi.

Dallasstars.com talked to Fabian Brunnstrom, who is back in Dallas after spending the summer back home in Sweden:

Tell us about your workouts in Sweden.

Brunnstrom: I have been working out almost every day in Sweden. I have a personal trainer there. He had a tough schedule for me, but at the same time I tried to relax and rest my body before this season. We worked on a balance between getting stronger, increasing my endurance and becoming more flexible in the offseason with my trainer. I skated a few times while I was in Sweden but not much.

He'll need that endurance if Marc Crawford should decide to give him some top six minutes like we discussed here the other day.

Andrew's has a cool depth chart for the entire Stars organization of every player under contract down to draft picks. Check it out.

And Mike Heika talks about Andrew Hutchinson:

So where does that leave Hutchinson?

Who knows, really. In addition to battling Stafford and Vishnevskiy, he now has to fight for ice time with Jeff Woywitka, a similar player who was signed as a free agent in the summer. The Stars have eight defensemen on guaranteed contracts, and it seems one might get washed out through waivers, a move to the minors or in a trade. Will that be Hutchinson? It might.

Around the NHL:

• Dany Heatley talks too much.
• Apparently Michael Wilbon has seen an NHL game, and even used to write about hockey. I learn something new every day.
• The Nashville Predators picked Marcel Goc up off a scrap heap somewhere.
• I'm not real familiar with Brett Festerling, but I know I don't like him much now that the Ducks signed him for two additional seasons.
• Battle of California pities Patrick Marleau...maybe.