Dallas Stars Daily Links: Jamie Benn Takes Responsibility For First Two Goals

by Erin Bolen on Feb 15, 2012 6:01 AM CST in Dallas Stars Daily Links

Despite a disheartening first period, there were actually several good things to take from the Dallas Stars 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.

The biggest among those, at least in my mind? The fact that Jamie Benn took yet another step towards moving into a key leadership role.

It wasn't the best game of the season for Benn, who took a key penalty early that set the Stars reeling and lost a key draw on the second goal then couldn't come through with any desperately needed offense in the second and third periods.

But to his immense credit, he very publicly acknowledged that he needed to do better.

``There was a bad penalty in the first by me, and that led to a goal. And then, lose a faceoff and don't block the shot, and it goes into the back of the net and you're down 2-0 right away,'' Benn said. ``I have to be better than that. I have to take accountability for that.''

Now, there are lots of other mistakes to break down on both goals, and it would be easy for Benn to fall back on something like that and talk about team concept and everyone needing to be better. And the real test will be how he responds Thursday against the Calgary Flames.

But personal accountability is a great start.

After the jump, more on the loss to the Red Wings, why the Stars should trade for Rick Nash and all the scoreboard watching to get your hopes up and then quash them.

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If you want to relive all the infamy that was the last 15 minutes of the first period, Mark Stepneski's got you covered. [ESPN Dallas]
Another of the good things from the game was a bounce-back performance from goalie Kari Lehtonen, who seems to be better the more shots he sees. This paywalled gamer from Mike Heika details what the Stars learned about him on Tuesday. [DallasNews.com]
Here's how our friends over at Winging it in Motown saw the game. I did get a good chuckle out of the headline. That's how you make a Valentine's Day pun without making the readers groan at the punniness. Also, props for the permalink in all its abruptness. [Winging it in Motown]
All the focus from the Detroit side, rightfully, is on the Red Wings home winning streak, which while done in a different era than the original records is certainly a huge accomplishment in and of itself. [Windsor Star]
This blog makes the case that the Stars should try to pry Rick Nash away from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Now, I'm not sure I agree with the author on all facets, but he does lay out a solid argument. [The Hockey Writers]
If you want a little bit of an outside perspective on how the Stars prospects are developing, check out this write-up from earlier in the month. [Hockey's Future]
This is mostly an Edmonton OIlers Q&A column, but Loui Eriksson gets a nice mention as a possible Lady Byng candidate. [Vancouver Sun]
If you're looking for a job in professional sports, the Stars are holding a career fair at the end of the month. Plus you get tickets to a Stars game - what's not to like? [NHL Hockey Jobs]
If you want a guy to root for, if you can get past the fact that he's a prospect for the San Jose Sharks, goalie Alex Stalock has a very nice story of his recovery from a nasty, nasty skate cut. Remember, kids, those are knives on the bottoms of their feet. [The Oakland Tribune]
Meet the enemy: The Calgary Flames are also trying to make a playoff push and took a good step towards that with a 5-1 rout of the Toronto Maple Leafs. [TSN]
Around the Pacific Division: The Anaheim Ducks are closer to their quest to move up in the Western Conference with a 2-1 regulation win over the Minnesota Wild. [Minneapolis Star-Tribune]
Other scoreboard watching: I don't know quite what is going on in the Windy City, but the Chicago Blackhawks continued what has been an incredible free-fall with a 3-2 regulation loss to the Nashville Predators. [Chicago Tribune]
If you need someone to laugh at today, might I suggest Phil Kessel of the Maple Leafs, who was picked by his fellow NHLers as the easiest star to intimidate. [Backhand Shelf]
These aren't nearly as fun as the mic'ed up morning skates from a few years back (which featured such gems as Steve Ott getting called out by Stu Barnes for snot in the towel). But the raw, if silent, film of the Stars morning skate is a nice behind-the-scenes peak.

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Comments

I certainly wouldn't mind seeing Nash end up here.

A deal through 2018 makes him 33 at the time the contract ends, which isn’t too bad.

The biggest problem is his 7.5M cap hit and the fact that it’ll likely take a king’s ransom to have the best offer of every team calling about him.

If we get him, expect to lose at least our 1st round pick, a 2nd rd pick and someone like Larsen.

by Travis Drybread on Feb 15, 2012 7:47 AM CST reply actions

Or the picks and a young goalie such as Bachman or Campbell.

Since we all know about Columbus and the goaltending troubles they have dealt with for awhile.

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

by T-rom on Feb 15, 2012 7:48 AM CST up reply actions

The article was really long on

how Nash would be such a great fit. Duh … we’ve been saying that forever. But is was glaringly short on how to make that happen! Wave a magic wand?? The problem is what do we have that would work for the BJ’s. Then that is compounded by Nash’s NTC so he would have to want to come to a rebuilding team instead of one pushing for a cup.

Love to see him here, but I don’t see how it works on several levels.

by 1paniolo on Feb 15, 2012 10:30 AM CST up reply actions

Interesting to see accountability pop up all of a sudden after there was so much talk here about it

It is nice to see guys take responsibility though. It shows that it all means something to them. As long as everyone is learning from their mistakes.

Overall, from what I saw of the game (3rd period) they played well even though they were obviously out-talented. It would be have been a very interesting end of the game had Goligosky not screwed up and slid over next to Robidas to leave the pass wide open for the 3rd goal.

by RB16 on Feb 15, 2012 8:13 AM CST reply actions

The first period was like watching a WHL team face the Gretzky-era Oilers

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by Josh Lile on Feb 15, 2012 8:57 AM CST up reply actions

I'm glad I missed it.

by RB16 on Feb 15, 2012 9:01 AM CST up reply actions

13-0 scoring chances

by Josh Lile on Feb 15, 2012 9:05 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah, it was bad

Hard to watch. I was pretty disengaged emotionally. Just watching and not caring because well, it really did seem like your description. FSSW listed the Stars with two first period SC’s, but I don’t remember any.

by StarzenheimerSchmidt on Feb 15, 2012 9:56 AM CST up reply actions

I saw that on Twitter and wasn't sure if I wanted to switch over to the game or not

But…what I saw impressed me. They did play really hard and had some great pressure. They just hit a couple of posts and were so damn close. It felt like if they can play like they did in the 3rd in other games, they will win most of them. Against non-top-tier talent teams at least.

by RB16 on Feb 15, 2012 12:13 PM CST up reply actions

The expression on Benn's face at the end of the game

When the players were filing off the ice, Benn was the last one off the bench. He looked pissed off and determined. It sure doesn’t appear that he will settle for being mediocre. The Stars probably will not make the playoffs this year, but the future looks very bright with number 14.

by TXHockeyNut on Feb 15, 2012 8:23 AM CST reply actions

I saw that

He looked very upset and P.O.‘d. I actually liked the look he gave as he finally was leaving. he looked back that one last time…almost if he was thinking…"I’ll be back".

by medicin3man on Feb 15, 2012 8:32 AM CST up reply actions

One last look..

It was almost as if he was soaking in the feeling of having the crowd going nuts. It was like he wanted to see the celebration, the fans going crazy, so he knows what this team wants to get to. I love the Stars to death and I hate seeing this. I am ready to be able to have those same loud crowds and celebrations to Jamie. Soon, very soon. I think this kid will take that step and become the leader we all keep talking about.

by Section 314 on Feb 15, 2012 10:22 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah, I noticed it too.

Clearly had a purpose. I felt he was letting the celebrations of the fans and the players soak in. Building his desire to be at that point … and to deprive the enemy of that kind of celebration.

by 1paniolo on Feb 15, 2012 10:38 AM CST up reply actions

Nash

Nash is one of those rare players who convinces me to watch the odd Columbus game every now and again just so I can see him play. I don’t think he’s overrated. He’d be a good draw here in downtown Dallas.

What the Puck?

by DirtyBrotenScoundrel on Feb 15, 2012 8:32 AM CST via mobile reply actions

I wouldn't mind Nash or Carter....

I think both players would make an immediate impact and definately put fans back into the seats. I wouldn’t mind giving up a 1st, 2nd and Larsen or some other prospect.

by JQ$ on Feb 15, 2012 8:54 AM CST reply actions

Why would Nash waive his NTC to go to Dallas?

The difference between Dallas and Columbus is that Stars’ starting goalie is playing well this season. You swap Mason and Lehtonen, and Stars would be sitting where Columbus is.

by Solveig on Feb 15, 2012 9:07 AM CST up reply actions

They're pretty terrible defensively too

by Josh Lile on Feb 15, 2012 9:14 AM CST up reply actions

And seemingly

their entire roster is having a below average offensive season.

by StarzenheimerSchmidt on Feb 15, 2012 9:57 AM CST up reply actions

Exactly

by irchmo on Feb 15, 2012 10:35 AM CST up reply actions

NOT Carter, he was cancer at the end in Philly

and now he is under performing in BJ land. I don’t trust him unless you get him in a prove it contract situation. That won’t happen since he has once of those awesome decade long contracts remaining for $52M, or about 5.27M/yr cap hit. That is a gamble that is very very expensive. Nash has been worth every penny of his $7.5M/yr. to the BJs.

by HockeyRulez on Feb 15, 2012 10:27 AM CST up reply actions

Nash the Stars Killer to Dallas.... mmmm yes.....

It would be nice to see a guy who has regularly rung us up through the years come over, but we would have to get the NTC waived and that won’t happen unless the owner can convince him they will build a team around him with all that cap space. This could be a wild next 6 months even if we don’t make the playoffs…

by HockeyRulez on Feb 15, 2012 9:58 AM CST reply actions

Bringing Nash in here and adding him

to Benn, Eriksson, Ribeiro, Ryder, a healthy Morrow, Goligoski, Robidas and Lehtonen will definitely make Dallas a much more attractive destination to free agents in the offseason.

I’m not saying that we can pull it off, but having a proven superstar like Nash along side Benn as he continues to improve should boost both his and Nash’s numbers significantly. It would help this season for sure and help us in the future as well.

I’d be willing to lose our 1st, 2nd, and Larsen to bring him in because the odds that Nash’s value exceeds that of what becomes of those picks and Larsen are fairly high. That being said, I’m about 99% sure it’ll take more than that to pry him from Columbus even IF he were to make the unlikely decision to waive his NTC to come to Dallas.

Either way it goes, to make a splash Joe is going to have to mortgage a little bit of what is now considered to be “the future”. Our current picks and prospects are still a crapshoot as far as how effective they’ll be in the NHL, if they even make it that far. If he decides to roll the dice and trade a few prospects for a guy like Nash, odds are he’ll get back more than enough on that investment to make it worthwhile.

by Travis Drybread on Feb 15, 2012 11:09 AM CST up reply actions