Dallas Stars Daily Links: Bachman Earns Another Start, Likely Against Rangers

by Erin Bolen on Dec 11, 2011 6:01 AM CST in Dallas Stars Daily Links

To be fair to Andrew Raycroft, the entire Dallas Stars team, particularly the defense, was much sharper Saturday evening (or was that Sunday morning?) in their game against the Los Angeles Kings.

But call-up goalie Richard Bachman also played a very large role in the Stars 2-1 victory at the Staples Center. Other than a few rebounds cleaned up by his teammates and a 2-on-0 where he had no shot, Bachman did everything the Stars wanted against the old-school purple and gold.

And that performance not only earned him his first NHL victory, it has likely earned him another start very soon according to head coach Glen Gulutzan.

(On Richard Bachman): "He's a competitive guy and he's pretty clean when it comes to rebounds...He looked like himself. I just told him when he went out there it's the same game that you've been playing. He has that ability...He's going through the natural progression. He's a good goaltender.

``He had a really good start for us. I think he deserves another start, most likely against the Rangers. We'll give him that opportunity, and see if he can run with it."

After the jump, more on the Stars victory over the Kings, Andrew Raycroft evaluates his own play and are "concussion-like symptoms" ever not actually a concussion?

Dallas_stars_news_and_notes_medium_medium_medium

Mark Stepneski uses Bachman as his main storyline for the Stars victory, and he emphasizes that while not overly busy, he did have to come up with a handful of game-changing stops. [ESPN Dallas]
As the 12:26 a.m. final buzzer was well past the Dallas Morning News' deadline, their website was still relying on this Associated Press report as of early this morning. Hey, at least it's free. [DallasNews.com]
All the nasty numbers from the Kings perspective. Their offense is, um, struggel-uggel-uggling. [ESPN Los Angeles]
The loss of Mike Richards to a not-admitted-but-obviously-a-concussion is becoming a big concern, especially since the offense is struggling so mightily. [Los Angeles Times]
Because of the late game, this was the Stars story that ran in the DMN today (and, consequently, is behind the paywall). It talks about why the Stars traded the only designated enforcer, Krys Barch, to the Florida Panthers and why they don't think that will make them any less hard to play against. [DallasNews.com]
The second half of this pre-game notebook offers a few injury updates, with the sad news that Kari Lehtonen will likely not be back until after Christmas. [ESPN Dallas]
Andrew Raycroft knows he's been struggling, trust him. He doesn't plan on letting it continue. [DallasNews.com]
Meet the enemy: The New York Rangers reached their milestone 2,500th victory one game before the Stars game to town with a 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. [Blueshirt Banter]
Around the Pacific Division: Holy cow, the Stars gained ground on everyone. The San Jose Sharks gave up only one 5-on-3 goal but couldn't find the back of the net in a 1-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues. Jordin Tootoo trolled the Anaheim Ducks as he drew a penalty that led to a goal and scored another in a 3-2 Nashville Predators win. And the Minnesota Wild continued to roll with a 4-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes. [San Jose Mercury News/Los Angeles Times/Arizona Sports]
The Kings might not be copping to Richards' concussion, but they're hardly the only ones playing that game this year. [Puck Daddy]
New favorite backup goalie Bachman talks to the media after the game. He will have to learn to project his voice better if he wants to become a regular in this spot. Fun game - find me the first non-yes-or-no question of the interview.

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Rangers will be a tougher test, but based on his play in LA, I'm not worried about it.

I am curious how the backup situation is going to play out if he continues to put up good numbers back there with Kari out til what sounds like 2012. I suppose that will be a good problem to have if it comes to that.

Awesome day when you can gain 2 points on every team in your division! Makes the 2 they gave to San Jose the other night not hurt nearly as much. Stars have got to figure the Sharks out before they meet again.

by Travis Drybread on Dec 11, 2011 8:30 AM CST reply actions

I honestly believe that if we can get this kind of effort every night we are going to win the majority of our games.

I was pretty impressed by the team coming back out after the San Jose game and putting something really solid together against a good team.

by DStarsFan on Dec 11, 2011 9:12 AM CST reply actions

Bachman...so calm...

In the net, in front of the media, just such a calming presence. I hope the Stars give him a chance to make a real run of things on this call-up. It was so refreshing not seeing a scrambling Raycroft down on the ice.

BWFC + Dallas Stars = <3

by PGen98 on Dec 11, 2011 11:45 AM CST reply actions

ATTENTION 29 OTHER NHL TEAMS

Are you looking for a former #1 goaltender and Calder Trophy winner with an impressive resume that stopped being impressive eight years ago? Well the Dallas Stars have a deal for you. Andrew Raycroft is available at the bargain basement price of "future considerations". No need to hurry, you’ll probably have plenty of time to decide. Contact Joe Nieuwendyk for further details.

by TheGeach on Dec 11, 2011 12:05 PM CST reply actions

Let's hope he can be as good against the Rangers.

And – perhaps – against the Islanders.

Good times are here and Stars will take what belongs to them. Sooner or Later.

by Henri Muroke on Dec 11, 2011 12:08 PM CST reply actions

Bachs looked great!

Such a solid presence and effort last night. Exactly what we needed. While the team did play better in front of him I think it’s a chicken and egg thing. Personally, I think the team played better in front of him because they had a lot more confidence with him in net than they had in Crofty. Bacher was a machine last night and it just seemed like he was going to stop everything that he had a chance on. It was very nice to see after the last couple of games. I’m looking forward to seeing what he does against the Rangers. Crofty needs to stay on the bench and get his head right.

"I know the last couple of years have been especially hard for Stars fans. To all of you: First let me say thank you for your patience and support, and please know that the uncertainty is now over." -- Tom Gaglardi

by EagleBelf on Dec 11, 2011 1:40 PM CST reply actions

Bachman wants to stay in the NHL

He is going to do everything he can to make sure he does. I say let him be the number 1 untill Lehtonen gets back (depending on his performance that is). Then if he earns it, let him back up Kari. I would have no problem with Bachman playing 20+% of the games when Lehts is back. Just to keep Kari fresh.

Seems like a win-win-win. The extra win there is for Beskorowany, he gets more playing time in the AHL, Bachman gets some experience in the NHL, and seeing as he’s going to be a full time NHL’er next season he might aswell start early, and Lehtonen gets more rest so he doesnt slow down like last season

by Henderson33 on Dec 11, 2011 1:50 PM CST reply actions

Which D is going to be sent down when Fistric and Burish get back

The Stars are about $3.5 million above the cap floor, but have 26 guys on their 23 man roster due to players being on IR/Suspended who still count towards that cap. That means when they are healthy, the Stars will have to drop 3 players to minors or get rid of them by trade. Wathier is the obvious choice at forward, and Either Bachman or Raycroft at goalie. The interesting move will be the defensemen because of Larsen’s play and the Stars have just over $2 million to work with after the previous two things happen. As far as I know, Larsen is the only one with a two way deal, so sending anyone else to the minors will expose them to waivers. The players that could be sent down and the Stars stay above the cap floor are Larsen, Fistric, Grossman, Souray (not going down), Goligoski (no freaking way he’ll be exposed to waivers), and Pardy. While I hope Larsen is able to stay up, if the Stars lose anyone to waivers, they’ll be thin at D for the rest of the year if someone gets injured.

by JKil3 on Dec 11, 2011 2:19 PM CST reply actions

Wathier already got sent down. So a goalie and 1 D will be sent down, or a trade is going to happen. I hope Larsen doesn’t get sent down, but unless a trade occurs he will probably be going.

by Henderson33 on Dec 11, 2011 3:44 PM CST up reply actions

Just send Pardy.

If we lose him then yay, if not he can spend some time in the AHL.

@AdamBath on Twitter

by Elysian on Dec 11, 2011 5:26 PM CST up reply actions

agreed.

no one is going to touch that cap hit with a ten foot pole.

by Travis Drybread on Dec 11, 2011 5:50 PM CST up reply actions

That isn't much of a cap hit

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by Josh Lile on Dec 11, 2011 6:19 PM CST up reply actions

for Pardy it is.

All I’ve heard since we signed him is that we paid a high price for him.

by Travis Drybread on Dec 11, 2011 11:05 PM CST up reply actions

I tend to believe...

That the defense looked better because Bachman made them look better and gave them confidence. When Raycroft starts flopping all over the place, the D is out of position trying to cover for him and that’s when goals are scored. Very similar to Turco in his last few years. Bachman is usually in position, or quick to get back in position and he conserves his movement. If Bach’s looks good against the Rangers, I would hope they keep him up and look to move or waive Raycroft. Nothing personal, just business!

by fivefourfighting on Dec 11, 2011 7:41 PM CST reply actions

+1

"Only the dead have seen the end of war" Plato

by k9mike on Dec 11, 2011 7:59 PM CST up reply actions

If all of the current trends continue, then Pardy and Raycroft need to go down.

As someone mentioned, no one will touch Pardy’s contract, although they’ll only be responsible for half of it if he gets picked up on waivers.

by T-rom on Dec 11, 2011 8:39 PM CST reply actions

They'd be responsible for all of it if they pick him up while he's going down

If a team takes him on re-entry waivers the Stars will still owe him half his money for the rest of this season and half for next. That would mean the Stars would lose between $1 and 1.5 million. I’d rather the Stars try to find a trade partner. Trading him for peanuts to a team that is willing to absorb his contract would be fine with me. It would be similar to the Barch situation where the Stars gave him up to give Vincour a roster spot.

by JKil3 on Dec 11, 2011 9:30 PM CST up reply actions

Bachman looked good, but it was just one game.

Let’s not overreact, and see how he plays next one. Then start Raycroft on Islanders, then Bachman again on Devils, and THEN make a decision.

by iHorses on Dec 11, 2011 9:03 PM CST reply actions

And if we're going to overreact about the one game

LA may have scored the shorty either way, but he completely left the 5-hole open and didn’t play the pass OR the shot. It’ll come with time in the NHL but you can’t just not do anything on that play.

Otherwise, it was a great game and he looked very solid.

by jabudi on Dec 12, 2011 9:34 AM CST up reply actions

Bachman

Lets not get carried away with Bachman folks he’s played only one game and had a fairly easy game overall against L.A. He will be facing a much tougher opponent in the Rangers, because they just beat the panthers 6-1.

by rayzorsharp on Dec 11, 2011 9:31 PM CST reply actions

+1

by jabudi on Dec 12, 2011 8:41 AM CST up reply actions

Ok....

So, if he beats the Rangers….Will you be on board then?? Man, he cant do any worse then Raycroft…He has sucked this year and needs to go. Bachman looked great in that game and it was not like he wasnt even tested…this was a “One” goal game and he maintain composure and was solid. Give him a shot…What the hell.

"Only the dead have seen the end of war" Plato

by k9mike on Dec 11, 2011 10:58 PM CST reply actions

Bachman looked solid...and I liked the LA throwback jerseys

He was where he needed to be and made some of the scoring opportunities look like easy saves. Hope he can continue

And personally…I liked the LA purple jerseys. Someone should tell the Kings that the Raiders moved back to Oakland so the black and silver doesn’t really work there anymore. Hopefully next year we can get to see a new jersey with Dallas Stars’ green and gold instead of the typical “black and a hint of the team’s color”

by RB16 on Dec 12, 2011 8:53 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

We can only hope.

Green and Gold should be the main colors.

Gotta put some more color down there on the ice. You sell a lot more merchandise if you’ve got a nice looking jersey.

by Travis Drybread on Dec 12, 2011 10:17 AM CST up reply actions

Throwback

Wish they would do a throwback of the North Star Jersey…I grew up in MN. And would like to see the jersey again. :)

"Only the dead have seen the end of war" Plato

by k9mike on Dec 12, 2011 10:35 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Never going to happen.

But, I’m all up for returning to late 90’s type jerseys for the Stars.

by iHorses on Dec 12, 2011 11:26 AM CST up reply actions

That would be a bit awkward

With Minnesota having another team and all.

It would just be nice to see the team’s colors and logo on the jersey. It looks like they are a group of kids that could only afford lettering to be done.

A nice way to get fans involved again could be a design contest for the jerseys. Hell…redesign the colors if needed. Too bad the Cowboys have turned back into a bunch of putzes…it would be cool to have similar colors to bring all the Dallas teams together.

by RB16 on Dec 12, 2011 12:03 PM CST up reply actions