Okay, we can all agree we've heard enough about the Dallas Stars attendance issues, yes?
I completely understand where you are coming from. All we can do is attend games if we have the means, and it's ridiculously frustrating to have to keep answering for something as fans that is completely out of our control.
That said, I did enjoy this read Tuesday from Puck Daddy, not only because he quoted a significant portion of an article from DBD's own Brandon Worley, but because he took an even-handed look from a national perspective, something that is far too rare as he cites in some of the mouth-breathing articles from Canada at the top.
And here's the conclusion he comes to, one I think is only fair.
The one thought running through my head while watching the Stars game yesterday — besides the notion that the NHL should create some [expletive] award to honor guys like Mike Ribeiro who dominate in the skills competition — was that this franchise needs its own (Terry) Pegula.
The vibe in Buffalo is re-energized, optimistic and rabid. Whether Tom Gaglardi can be that guy for Dallas remains to be seen, but settling the ownership dilemma and then having that ownership make an aggressive attempt to restart this team's buzz is more important to filling those seats than leading the Pacific in November.
Honestly, I was happy to see that finally someone gets it. I hope you are too.
After the jump, it's a slow news day with no practice, but there are a couple of tidbits about former and future Stars out there, an update on the Sean Avery saga and the Stars training staff gets a kudos.
- Mark Stepneski catches up with some of the prospects who are in college, juniors and Europe. Matej Stransky and Jack Campbell are tearing up the CHL while Reilly Smith got in some trouble at Miami University. [ESPN Dallas]
- Former Stars winger, as well as New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks, New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins player (boy, he got around didn't he?), and friend of BaD Radio Bill Guerin is dipping his toe into the coaching waters, joining a USA Hockey Select Team coaching staff as an assistant. [DallasNews.com]
- Somebody outside of Dallas is impressed with the play of Kari Lehtonen in the early portions of the season? He must have been watching the games or something. [Pro Hockey Talk]
- Also performing well this weekend was defenseman Sheldon Souray, who nearly killed several shot blockers with his slap shot and had three assists in his first three games. [DallasStars.com]
- Sean Avery, otherwise known as the player who put the Stars in salary cap hell, has finally reported to the AHL's Connecticut Whale. [New York Magazine]
- Scouting the enemy: St. Louis Blues defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo has been placed on injured reserve due to the always fun concussion-like symptoms, which has forced the Blues into making a few other roster moves. [StLToday.com]
- Around the Pacific Division: You know how it seems like no one other than the Stars have played, well, any games yet if they weren't invited to Europe? The San Jose Sharks aren't exactly happy about that either. [Monterey County Herald]
- Stat nerds, unite! Something called the Fatigue Factor and Team Scoring Rhythm and I think my brain just went numb. [On Goal Analysis]
- Finally, to recognize an often invisible part of the Stars staff, trainer Brad Jellis gets a stick tap from The Score blogger and former ECHL player Justin Bourne in this article about why the conservative approach to injury recovery is almost always better. [Backhand Shelf]