Dallas Stars Send Philip Larsen, Tomas Vincour, Matt Fraser Down; Activate Jamie Benn

by Brad Gardner on Jan 25, 2012 12:50 PM CST in Dallas Stars News

The Stars announced some roster moves today as the All-Star break takes effect, sending Matt Fraser, Tomas Vincour, and Philip Larsen down to the Texas Stars and officially activating Jamie Benn from the injured reserve list.

The Texas Stars had a long layoff this week but have two games this weekend before the AHL All-Star break, when Matt Fraser will travel to Atlantic City to participate.

Assuming that the Dallas Stars field a completely healthy roster at the resumption of play next Wednesday in Southern California, it will be very interesting to see what happens with the defense and with Tomas Vincour. There will be just one roster spot open if Brenden Morrow is healthy, and Philip Larsen has been in the lineup over both Mark Fistric and Adam Pardy lately.

Health will allow the team to play Adam Burish as a fourth line player, as well as Tom Wandell. The guess is that the coaching staff would rather have Philip Larsen available regularly than Tomas Vincour, but carrying eight defensemen is not generally done in this league. What they decide when practice resumes next Monday will be very interesting. Will a defenseman be dealt or sent through waivers, or will they simply use Vincour, who has been effective when healthy and carrying 14 forwards?

I'm sure we'll have more discussion of this as the break goes on but how do you think things will shake out?

Full release after the jump.

Frisco, TX - The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has activated Jamie Benn from injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 14, and assigned Tomas Vincour (vin-sooer), Philip Larsen and Matt Fraser to the Texas Stars, Dallas' primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Benn, 22, has missed the last five games recovering from appendectomy surgery. The 6-2, 205-pound forward leads the team with 29 assists and ranks second overall in scoring with 42 points (13g, 29a). Earlier this month, Benn was selected to participate in the 2012 NHL All-Star Game in Ottawa. He has been skating the last couple of days and is planning on full participation at the All-Star events.

Vincour, 21, has skated in 18 games for Dallas this season, earning one goal and two assists, totaling three points. The Brno, CZE native has been an even or plus player in 14 of his contests this season.

Larsen, 22, has skated in 21 games for Dallas this season, scoring one goal and two assists in that span. The Esbjerg, DNK native ranks second among Dallas defensemen with a +7 rating and is averaging 17:10 of time-on-ice per game. Earlier this season, Larsen became the first Danish-born defenseman to score an NHL goal since Poul Popiel in the 1971-72 season for the Vancouver Canucks.

Fraser, 21, played in his first career NHL game on Jan. 24, 2012 vs. the Anaheim Ducks going scoreless in 3:57 of ice time. Prior to his NHL recall, Fraser ranked second on the Texas Stars in scoring with 35 points (21g, 14a). He led the club with 21 goals and was tied for third overall in that category in the AHL. The 6-2, 207-pound forward was signed to a three-year entry-level contract by Dallas on Nov. 17, 2010.

The Dallas Stars' next practice will be Monday, Jan. 30, at 2 pm at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco. The team will then travel to Anaheim to face the Ducks at Honda Center on Tuesday, Feb. 1 (9 pm CT, TV: FOX Sports Southwest Plus; Radio: 1310 The Ticket).

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Hmm...

Vincour has looked alright in the limited minutes he’s been getting lately; while he’s not producing points, his overall game has looked solid (seems to be the usual thus far in his NHL career). But I would be ok with letting him get some top line minutes in Austin again.

I think Larsen is the more important player to keep around for the time being, because he adds quite a bit with his speed, puck movement, positioning, and recently his shot. My vote would be to send Pardy through waivers, and keep Fistric (who’s actually played pretty well I think) and Larsen.

And it will be so nice to have Benn and Ribs back again…

by rev0lver19 on Jan 25, 2012 1:14 PM CST reply actions

Shame to see Larsen sent down

Hopefully Fistric will be the one stepping in, in his place.

Will also be nice seeing Benn and Morrow back.

by MurrayW on Jan 25, 2012 1:14 PM CST reply actions

Larsen should stay

I have a pretty strong opinion on this. I’ve watched our d-core and Larsen is too good with puck, smart, and is showing some offensive development at the point with good solid shots on net to generate offense. Fistric and Pardy are a dime a dozen. Larsen is much better at getting the puck out of our zone…the other two are horrible at that. And to me, getting the puck out of the zone is more important than hitting in this new age of hockey

by Starzfanatic on Jan 25, 2012 1:16 PM CST reply actions

Really don't understand why they don't throw Pardy down

No team in their right mind would claim him, if someone were that crazy they’d prob be helping us out. Are we under the floor if we send him down?

by Trillmike on Jan 25, 2012 1:30 PM CST via mobile reply actions

I think someone said before that the team would be ok with cap floor issues sending Pardy down

"The Dallas Cowboys announced they have released Jerry Jones."

by T-rom on Jan 25, 2012 1:53 PM CST up reply actions

I think they sent them all down because Texas has a few more games to play this week.

Instead of just letting them sit around and do nothing for a week.

by Sugaa on Jan 25, 2012 2:15 PM CST up reply actions

exactly what i was thinking

larsen will be back but i dont know about the other two. fraser is definitely staying in the ahl for a bit, but as good as vicour plays when they call him up i still think he needs more minutes. he could be a great two way player if he could get going on offense, so more time in the minors is needed.

by the way worst e-news ever...

by heyitsthatguy! on Jan 25, 2012 3:37 PM CST up reply actions

Agree ... the real decision will come next week.

by 1paniolo on Jan 25, 2012 5:47 PM CST up reply actions

If Pardy was sent down

Larsen would definitely be back up. And if Pardy played in Austin a while, who knows, maybe he would work out some of his problems we’ve all seen in Dallas. But that would still leave an open spot, so would Dallas recall Vincour, or leave him in Austin to get more TOI? If he stays to get more playing time, who does Dallas call up?

by Chubbs78750 on Jan 25, 2012 2:24 PM CST reply actions

Larsen has potential and is a good fit

Pardy is the odd man out to me. Larsen moves the puck and could use the time on the ice with the team to see what develops. We played this game with Fistric before, but I would like to see what happens with Larsen a little longer term. If you are hurting on scoring, but getting some help off IR; why not keep Larsen too?

by HockeyRulez on Jan 25, 2012 5:22 PM CST reply actions