Dallas Stars Daily Links: Gaglardi Says He Will Open His Checkbook For A Scorer

by Erin Bolen on Feb 3, 2012 6:00 AM CST in Dallas Stars Daily Links

Okay, I promise I will get to the Dallas Stars 5-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks eventually.

But in the larger-term picture of the season, I thought this column by Mac Engel offered some tantalizing quotes from new owner Tom Gaglardi.

While talking about Engel's obsession with landing a Top 6 forward, Gaglardi acknowledged that he believes overall scoring is a team weakness he'd like to address at some point.

"Are we looking at making our team better in the top six? The answer is yes. If that means more payroll, are we prepared to do it? The answer is yes. The question is, what is the cost?"

Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/mac-engel/2012/02/dallas-stars-owner-targets-a-top-six-forward-will-spend-money-for-one.html#storylink=cpy

To clarify for those who are still in a Pacific Division road-start induced haze, in terms of cost, he's talking about assets the Stars would have to give up in order to acquire such a player via a trade. He goes on to talk about how some of the Stars best players are at the dawn of their career, so why would you pick up somebody who wouldn't be around for the long term?

Another quote, the one that got me the most excited. I know he's said things like this before, but I loved the forwardness with which he talks about giving this team the budget to be successful.

"We will be pursuing things. I think we will be active in the trade deadline, and certainly during the summer (during free agency). We are not going to be a floor team (of the NHL's salary cap). We can't be a floor team. We have to be in the middle to a top cap team to be able to thrive in Dallas. We want to be successful and be an elite team and I don't think you can do that and be a floor team. My eyes are wide open about this. If you look at Dallas, we will be rewarded if we are competitive. If we are a so-so, blah team the market has spoken there is not enough interest in following that team."

Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/mac-engel/2012/02/dallas-stars-owner-targets-a-top-six-forward-will-spend-money-for-one.html#storylink=cpy

After the jump, because I know you really want to relive it, more on the Stars loss to the Sharks, Sam Gagner had the biggest night of any NHL player in 23 years and the NHL shockingly admits it screwed up.

Dallas_stars_news_and_notes_medium_medium_medium

I don't think there's a lot positive to say about that game, so I will sum it up with "Icky" and let Mark Stepneski talk you through it instead. [ESPN Dallas]
What message are Stars fans to take about this team from the last two games? Even Mike Heika is not sure. [DallasNews.com]
Brian Boyle er.... Steve Ott scored the first goal on a Sharks goalie in more than four games, so yeah. They've been playing pretty well recently, and that didn't change on Thursday. [San Jose Mercury News]
In a clear sign of how absurdly bad things got, even the Stars faceoff percentage was pretty abysmal, to the point that it may have been the worst since the lockout (depending if you believe the replies to this fairly authoritative Tweet). [Twitter]
I will give the Stars credit for trying new things to deal with back-to-backs and travel back from the West Coast. Not that it seems to be working yet, but you'd think if you they keep trying, they'll eventually hit on something that works. [DallasNews.com]
The one good part about last night's game? Jamie Benn is still awesome. But is he the next Mike Modano? Also, the phrase penalty murder needs to appear next time the Stars score a shortie. [Thursday Morning Cupcheck]
This story is mostly about Colorado Avalanche teammates Peter Mueller and Erik Johnson who played on the same peewee team as kids. Goalie on that team? One Richard Bachman. [Denver Post]
Sam Gagner, um, had a good night. A really good night. A night where only the likes of Wayne Gretzky have gone before. [NHL.com/The Copper & Blue]
In the sad news of the day, Gordie Howe was revealed to be suffering from a condition similar to dementia. [Kukla's Korner]
I may only be intrigued by this since I'm a refereeing nerd, but I thought Kerry Fraser's observations on the Ottawa Senators-Boston Bruins game was pretty interesting. [TSN]
Meet the enemy: The Minnesota Wild got only one goal, but that was enough for a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. I suppose I should just be happy it didn't go to overtime. [Minneapolis Star-Tribune]
Around the Pacific Division: There a few updates to the saga involving the Los Angeles Kings suspicious clock keeping against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday. First, Kings general manager Dean Lombardi came out with a ridiculous, quasi-scientific, easily deconstructed excuse about what happened. And second, Colin Campbell of the NHL admitted the War Room missed it and the goal should not have counted but there's nothing the league can do about it at his point. [Los Angeles Times/Sportsnet.ca/Columbus Dispatch]
If you'll be in Los Angeles on Feb. 13 and you want to eat pancakes with Dustin Penner, here's how his raffle is working. I love that the shortlink is actually LAKings.com/Pancakes, and the names of the packages are hysterical. Well played, Kings. Well played. [Mayors Manor]
As a beer league player myself, this is really awesome. Sure, at its heart, it's a commercial for Budweiser, but it's still an awesome way to go about it.

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Comments

Having a dedicated owner makes getting through games like yesterday easier- I hope Gaglardi does open his checkbook.

I passed out and missed the first 2 periods yesterday only to find out I had basketball on all my FSSW channels. What a great ending to the day.

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

by T-rom on Feb 3, 2012 7:43 AM CST reply actions

I hope he opens it soon.

No, I don’t want them to make a move just for the sake of doing so, but this team needs to be shaken up.

by cms1171 on Feb 3, 2012 10:21 AM CST up reply actions

Just for clarity,

the Stars are 0-8-1 on the backend of back-to-backs with all but one of those games on the road. That’s pretty bad, but with almost all these occurrences on the road I think it somewhat mitigates the badness.

by mcgee48c on Feb 3, 2012 9:45 AM CST reply actions

That video was awesome

I even watched it twice! The looks on those rec guys faces when the fans came streaming in was priceless.

by 1paniolo on Feb 3, 2012 10:13 AM CST reply actions

That would be so cool to have happen

Every so often they will announce the attendance at our games for fun and we are lucky if it hits 10 unless it is an early game where the families can come.

It would be fun to hear cheering from more than just the bench when you make a nice play. Of course I’d probably get nervous with the crowd there and screw up more than usual :)

by RB16 on Feb 3, 2012 10:29 AM CST up reply actions

Speaking of possible trades and opening checkbooks,

Texas Stars GM was scouting the LIghtning/Jets game last night. Hmm.

by StarzenheimerSchmidt on Feb 3, 2012 10:22 AM CST reply actions

according

to the Lightning beat writer via @hundreddegreehockey

by StarzenheimerSchmidt on Feb 3, 2012 10:23 AM CST up reply actions

We suck in back to backs

but I will say we have had our share of top level teams in their building on that list.

at Chicago, Lost 5-2
at Los Angeles, Lost 1-0
at Detroit, Lost 5-2
San Jose, Lost 4-1
at Phoenix, Lost 3-0
at New Jersey, Lost 6-3
Detroit, Lost 3-2 (SO)
at Minnesota, Lost 5-2
at San Jose, lost 5-2

Only one game against a team with fewer points than us … Phoenix that is always a tough game.

Still, we have to improve in that 2nd game to make the playoffs.

by 1paniolo on Feb 3, 2012 10:23 AM CST reply actions

Ya, we havent exactly had easy draws on those 2nd games.

but they definitely need to figure them out.

by Travis Drybread on Feb 3, 2012 10:31 AM CST up reply actions

Still though most haven't just been losses but have been blowouts

Of course…that seems to be the trend anyway. Win close or get blown out

by RB16 on Feb 3, 2012 10:41 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah.

When the Stars lose, they do it spectacularly ugly fashion.

by cms1171 on Feb 3, 2012 10:49 AM CST up reply actions

No kidding.

They look bad when they lose. Glad to read about Gaglardi planning to get some things done at the deadline and in the offseason. I figured he would anyway, but it’s nice to see that he said it. Future is still bright here. From now til the trade deadline should be very interesting.

by Travis Drybread on Feb 3, 2012 11:28 AM CST up reply actions

That video brought tears to my eyes.

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by Brandon Worley on Feb 3, 2012 11:08 AM CST reply actions

Dan Boyle

Its Dan Boyle, not Brian

by TimAH on Feb 3, 2012 11:44 AM CST reply actions

He scored on his own net once before against...Colorado I believe it was.

by Travis Drybread on Feb 3, 2012 12:14 PM CST up reply actions

Yes...

Game 3, 2010 playoffs. That was the GWG in OT.

by Dallas_Stars74 on Feb 3, 2012 12:29 PM CST up reply actions

I'll stack Morrow's own goals up against anyones!

by 1paniolo on Feb 3, 2012 2:07 PM CST up reply actions

I wonder...

Do you think with crosby skating again and them finding the problem and looks like he’ll eventually be back. and with malkin playing so well, would jordan staal possibly become available. Hes a free agent after next year and they already have big dollars to crosby and malkin not to mention theyll have to throw some money towards james neal and kris letang soon. jordan staal is exactly what we need. A big young centre just coming into his prime that plays extremely well on both sides of the ice. him and loui eriksson could form quite the impressive line. just throwing that out there but i could see him becoming available eventually.

by Traptors on Feb 3, 2012 12:06 PM CST reply actions

"would jordan staal possibly become available"

Isn’t he hurt too?

by Dallas_Stars74 on Feb 3, 2012 12:08 PM CST up reply actions

To get Staal

I think you guys would have to trade Benn. The Pens are looking for a top six winger. And Stall will be a UFA after next season. He’ll deserve a raise, and I doubt Pittsburgh can afford to keep him. He also might be looking for a promotion to a more significant role on a team that won’t keep him on the third line. Either way, I think realistically , Dallas would have to give up the likes of Benn to get Staal, and they’re very similar players except I like Benn more, and he’s your franchise player. I know you guys already know this, but I think Benn is a very special player, and it’s mind boggling that he’s so underrated. Also, I wouldn’t want to trade with Pittsburgh any time soon if I were a Stars fan. ;)

by CallofCouture on Feb 3, 2012 5:28 PM CST up reply actions

Relax

I didn’t mean in the next few days. He’s 23 years old i doubt eventually they’ll be able to keep everyone with the money crosby and malkin make.

by Traptors on Feb 3, 2012 12:57 PM CST reply actions

"I didn’t mean in the next few days."

Neither did I, but I did mean before the deadline. My mistake.

by Dallas_Stars74 on Feb 3, 2012 1:16 PM CST up reply actions

i love reading quotes like that from the boss man

GET OFF NIEUWENDYK'S NUTS

by 8thegreat on Feb 3, 2012 1:11 PM CST reply actions

trade deadline..

My immediate thoughts before the start of the 3rd period was the trade deadline, and that I really hope the Stars are active before the deadline. Glad to see those comments from Gaglardi. Hope he does something, but nothing too crazy… Team needs not only offense, but some better defense. And kinda hoping whatever they do involves Grossman. Man, and that pass he made DIRECTLY to the other team in front of the net takes the cake for me out of all the gaffes he’s made this season…

by rpm0003 on Feb 3, 2012 1:28 PM CST reply actions

to be fair, Goose had one exactly like that too.

I hope we can do something at the trade deadline. But we are not in search of that one missing piece, so no rentals or overpayments. We should be in selling mode, though our playoff position may limit what we can move at the deadline.

by 1paniolo on Feb 3, 2012 2:17 PM CST up reply actions

Man enough to admit...

that commercial brought a couple tears. Mainly after the game and the guys were saluting the crowd and that dude sitting on the ice having a life moment awesome! I think I’ll even drink Buds this weekend to show my appreciation. Anyway, on the trade deadline. It sounds like Joe might almost have to make a semi-blockbuster trade with Gagliardi watching. I think the team could use it to, get butts at games, recharge the team. Just for fun here’s my trade Morrow, Grossman/Fistric, Vincour to Philly for Scott Hartnell and Brayden Schenn or Sean Couturier. We’ll see, times a tickin’

by darksidecowboy on Feb 3, 2012 1:36 PM CST reply actions

This makes me confident in resigning Benn,

Because if Gaglardi is willing to pay and build around Benn and Eriksson, we will have a really good team for years, and Benn will naturally want to stay. I feel as if we are in good hands.

by sundancekid on Feb 3, 2012 2:03 PM CST reply actions

Benn has always been a no brainer.

He is RFA off entry level contract. He is going no where, and they will take care of him. Likely not till after the CBA though.

by 1paniolo on Feb 3, 2012 2:19 PM CST up reply actions

That is an awesome commercial by Budweiser

Reminds me of this a little bit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nbkbss7i5s

"Graham's Week in Sports," my blog.

Never, under any circumstances, should you ever make fun of Brandon Worley.

by DFWTrojanTuba on Feb 3, 2012 2:28 PM CST reply actions

Chris Stewart....

….Andy Strickland said that DA is entertaining offers for him. He is struggling due to the depth the Blues have, but possesses the grit, size, strength, and scoring skills (30 goals/season potential) for a top-six power-forward. I do think he needs to control his emotions and not get into fights at inopportune moments or take bad penalties.

What say you?

by Dallas_Stars74 on Feb 3, 2012 2:33 PM CST reply actions