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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Hitchcock Says He Will Go With The Same 6 Dmen

Posted on by Shawn Ladd

Traverse City Prospect Roster should come out this week.

Mike Heika sat down with Stars head coach Ken Hitchcock for an interview discussing a myriad of topics. One topic I am sure fans will want to hear about is the logjam in the defensive corps.

Q: How do you feel about carrying eight defensemen?

Hitchcock: We will have a lot of tryouts in exhibition games. Once we decide on the six who are going to start, we’ll stick with it. If you’re not in there and they’re playing well, you have to wait your turn. Both Rick and I are firm on the fact we don’t want to use the rotation. We don’t think that’s the right way to do things. Now whether we carry seven or eight is irrelevant for me, what is relevant is if we’re happy with the six, they’re staying in there. That’s competition, and if you’re out, you have to get yourself ready and you have to be ready when your turn comes. That’s pretty much it. It’s all about the team and winning.

Another issue is what to do at center with Martin Hanzal and Jason Spezza.

Q: How do you see Martin Hanzal and Jason Spezza in regards to the center position?

Hitchcock: To me, Hanzal is a center. The role Jason will have is a split duty role, and if I play Spezza on the wing, it will be a left wing. Jason will play a lot of center and some wing. We need to start with the puck, so he’s definitely going to be taking draws on his strong side.

Q: So will Spezza and Hanzal play on the same line?

Hitchcock: Probably not. You could see Radek Faksa on a line with Hanzal. I think those two could fit well together.

There is more here including what each assistant coach will be responsible for. (Sportsday DFW)

A Hanzal player profile.

Mark Stepneski is keeping up with Val Nichushkin in the KHL. He has been moved to the top line for CSKA and averaging 16:23 minutes of ice time and has potted 1 goal in 5 games. (Between the Blue Lines)

Sean Shapiro recorded another podcast over the weekend.

He also had his weekly mailbag topics included prospect Roope Hintz and whether Vern Fiddler will retire and have some kind of role with the Stars. He has been coaching the informal skates in Frisco. (Wrong Side of the Red Line)

Here is a video of practice sessions. Patrik Nemeth with a nice top shelf goal at the end.

A 6th grade hockey blogger previews Dallas’ season. Some interesting observations he has Greg Pateryn in the top 6 dmen with the Big Rig Jamie Oleksiak, Nemeth and Stephen Johns as the extras and trading Mattias Janmark and Remi Elie for a top 6 forward. (CarterHud)

Former Dallas player Pierre Turgeon’s daughter Val is playing for Harvard (NCAA). (THW)

By the time you read this Adam Cracknell should be in town.

You can pick up a new Stars adidas sweater on Sept. 15

Dan Hamhuis and Johns helping out with the relief effort for Houston.

Fans can get free tickets for preseason games.

Texas Stars:

Is there anything captain Travis Morin can’t do? Here he has a strike with a nice shot for the ceremonial 1st pitch at a Round Rock Express (Triple A) game.

Morin’s pitch must have brought the Express some luck as they won with a walk off grand slam.

Jamie Benn comes in at #11 on the list of 10 candidates to win the Rocket Richard Trophy awarded to the NHL player with the most goals. (The Hockey News)

Julius Honka is on the list of rookies to watch this year. (FanRag Sports)

Don’t expect Jaromir Jagr or Jarome Iginla to be signed by the Flames according to GM Brad Treliving. (Sportsnet)

Jets goalie Michael Hutchinson has a new mask honoring superfan Kroppy who passed away last year

Blackhawks backup goalie Jean-Francois Berube has a mask honoring Tony Esposito. (In Goal Magazine)

Fans will like that the Hawks and Red Wings are among the teams that are trending downwards. (The Hockey Writers)

Former starting goalie Cam Ward says he is open to a backup role with the Hurricanes after they acquired Scott Darling in the offseason. (Sportsnet)

Former Sharks forward Patrick Marleau thanked fans with a full page ad in San Jose area newspapers. (Fear the Fin)

The latest NHL rumors all in one place. (Spector’s Hockey)

Finally Tyler Seguin and his dog having fun in the pool.

Talking Points