Stargazing: Morrow's knee is ready to go

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.

Two and a half weeks, people. Two and a half short weeks and things really get cooking. We'll have the Traverse City Prospect tournament just before camp to look forward to as well, and we've seen word on the internet that the Stars are starting to gather back in Dallas to work out in Frisco. It's nearly one of the best times of the year and it is coming fast. In the mean time, the Olympics are already giving us plenty of news on our Captain, and word from Calgary about that knee just keeps getting better...

Stars News and Notes:

Canada.com gives us a reason to feel good about Captain Brenden's knee:

MORROW'S KNEE FEELS FINE

Dallas Stars captain Brenden Morrow isn't having any problem with his repaired knee that KO'd him for most of last season.

"It feels like the hand of God operated on me," said Morrow, who had reconstructive surgery early last season and played only 18 games.

I realize they're not really going at it hard out there and throwing the bodies around and what not, but this has to make you feel good. At the very least, assuming he is perfectly healthy, this time with team Canada could be helping him get his head right and his confidence where he needs it. They say one of the hardest parts about coming back from knee surgery is fully trusting it when you get back. If Brenden is happy then I am happy.

Morrow feels so good, he's talking about how much he has to keep the physicality in check on the ice at the friendly Canadian practices, says ESPN's Pierre Lebrun:

"It's so ingrained in you to go in and lower the shoulder and bury the guy. But you have to pull up here," said Morrow. "We're respectful here. It's a good social outing; we're getting to know the guys."

Having missed most of this past season because of injury, Morrow can't wait to pound some bodies when the NHL season begins.

"I've got a bit of pent-up aggression right now," said Morrow.

Yikes. We pity the rest of the Western Conference.

And Mike Heika weighed in Morrow as well, getting more of the same from our eager leader (unfortunate rhyme):

"It is a bit strange and kind of exciting because it is a real practice, a real workout, and I haven't done that in a while," Morrow said. "I know I'm itching to get back at it."

Morrow said his knee is feeling great and that he feels stronger than he ever has in his career.

The Hockey News put together a list of potential worries in every NHL city. Here is the Pacific division:

Dallas Stars Last year wasn’t just an anomaly for 34-year-old Marty Turco.

Los Angeles Kings Rob Scuderi has to make more kick-saves in lieu of the team’s goaltending.

Phoenix Coyotes The league’s bid to buy the team is successful and Gary Bettman decides to add NHL GM to his portfolio.

San Jose Sharks Another showing of Groundhog Day come spring.

Anaheim Ducks Scott Niedermayer is one incredible defenseman, but what if Chris Pronger’s absence proves he was the blueline’s real stud all along?

I'm a little more worried about the coaching change and the special teams myself, but I know there are a lot of you out there who feels this way about Turco.

ESPN did a nice piece with Stephan Robidas and Mike Green:

"I signed a contract in Germany for after the lockout because I didn't know if I was going to get an NHL job," Robidas said. "Dallas eventually called [in August 2005] and signed me for the minimum."

"We had him prior [2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons] and coming out of the lockout, we thought there would be a premium on skating and that size wouldn't be as dominant a force for defensemen as it was prior to lockout," said former Stars GM Doug Armstrong. "And we knew his character. Coming back in, he seized that opportunity."

Armstrong, now an executive with the St. Louis Blues and part of Team Canada's management team, said you can't help but cheer for a guy like Robidas.

Given what a fan favorite he is, and how much he's contributed, it's hard to imagine that Robidas almost didn't even make it back to the NHL after the lockout.

The Dr. Peppers Stars Center in Duncanville might get turned into basketball courts? It won't be a very good day for hockey in DFW if that happens, will it?

No decision has been made on the future of the city-owned ice arena in Duncanville.

The City Council had a special meeting Monday to hear a presentation from a company that proposes converting the ice at the Dr Pepper StarCenter into basketball courts. City officials were impressed with the presentation, City Manager Kent Cagle said.

The arena is operated by the Dallas Stars organization, which has a 25-year agreement with the city, Cagle said.

"It is premature to move forward on anything until we have resolution with the Stars," he said.

• Razor Reaugh, as goofy as always on his blog.
• Defending Big D interviewed about the Stars on SB Nation blog "Pensburgh"
• The Dallas Stars prospects are ranked in The Hockey News, via Andrew's Stars Page
• And Mike Heika voices some valid concerns about the development of Ivan Vishnevskiy

Around the NHL:

• Bettman and the NHL want to "socialize" purchase the Coyotes.
• Kovalchuk wants to win the Stanley Cup, he says. He might want to check his jersey.
• The Ducks want to re-sign Ryan for the long term, but can't talk to him until after the season.
• Somehow, Team Canada might be so good that Big Joe gets left in San Jose.
• Mike Sillinger retires.