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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Switching Lines, Positions No Problem for Veterans

Posted on by Melissa Flandreau

Earlier this week, Puck Daddy’s Josh Cooper wrote about how the Stars can rely on players like Patrick Sharp and Jason Spezza to help them through the season’s inevitable slumps. Now, it’s Mike Heika’s turn to talk about the pair, this time pointing out their ability to adjust to playing out of position.

Spezza, who has played second line center for most of the season, was moved by coach Lindy Ruff to the right wing with Cody Eakin on Thursday. It was sort of a hybrid skill/checking line, and Spezza found a way to tally a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win over Edmonton.

“I’ll do whatever I’m told,” said Spezza, who has 787 points in 816 games. “I think it’s important. We know Lindy likes to juggle things around, and he’s trying to get us out of a losing streak, so you do these things. I consider myself a center, but if he wants me on a wing, I’ll play wing. We’re all just trying to do what we can to help the team win.”

Sharp, who frequently played multiple positions with the Blackhawks, shared a similar sentiment.

“The biggest thing is to not to take it as a negative,” Sharp said. “I think maybe the first instinct is if you’re moving around, you must be doing something wrong. That’s not always the case. Sometimes, you’re moving around because you’re doing good things.”

For more on Spezza, Sharp, and Lindy Ruff, head on over to the link. [SportsDayDFW]

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The Stars continue their homestand tonight with a 7 p.m. game against the Avalanche. [SportsDayDFW]

While you’re waiting for puck drop, catch up with DBD’s latest podcast and see what sort of shenanigans Jason Spezza got up to on Twitter yesterday morning. #gigglegiggle

If it’s still not game time, you can listen to Jim Nill’s latest guest spot on the radio.

Tyler Seguin also made his weekly call-in to chat with Bob and Dan, and you can listen to the audio at the link. [BaD]

Jamie Oleksiak is adjusting to his role with the Texas Stars. [Austin American-Statesman]

The #fancystats numbers were crunched, and the Stars have a good chance at making the playoffs. Like, 99.7% good.[Sports Illustrated]

There’s another goalie tandem in the Stars organization: Philippe Desrosiers and Maxime Lagace. [Wrong Side of the Red Line]

Last night in the Central Division…

  • The Panthers blanked the Blackhawks 4-0, which means Chicago is now on a two-game losing streak. That’s a lot better than that whole 12-game winning thing they had going on. Thanks, Florida! [Chicago Sun-Times]
  • After a last-minute goal from Nathan MacKinnon to tie the game, the Avalanche won their first game of their back-to-back with a shootout victory over the Blues. [NHL]

A collision with Rene Bourque at practice left Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella with two broken ribs. [Sportsnet]

All-Star Pekka Rinne is struggling in net, and it’s bringing down the Predators. [The Hockey News]

The snowstorm on the East Coast delayed the Capitals/Ducks game last night.

And speaking of that bad weather, sometimes you go to interview a random gas station patron, only to find it’s Alex Ovechkin.

If the Bruins decide to deal Loui Eriksson, what can they expect to receive in return? [Sportsnet]

Here’s your chance to learn all of Jaromir Jagr‘s secrets. [Sun-Sentinel]

TSN’s Scott Cullen examines the changes in player possession numbers from last season to this year. The results are good for former Stars defenseman Trevor Daley, and reveal that Mike Babcock has been a boon to Toronto players. [TSN]

NPR’s Morning Edition takes on the NWHL and women’s hockey.

The OHL’s Windsor Spitfires have collected 50,000 water bottles for Flint, Michigan. [The Globe and Mail]

The longer it takes for Jonathan Drouin to traded, the more his value drops. (Elliotte Friedman also reported that the Ducks and the Blues have “backed out” on the 20-year-old.) [The Hockey News]

Have the Penguins improved since ousting Mike Johnston and naming Mike Sullivan as their head coach? [The Score]

And finally, San Diego Gulls goalie Ryan Faragher had a little fun with his newest helmet.

Talking Points