The Dallas Stars practiced yesterday. Usually that wouldn’t be a big deal, except that this is just the team’s second practice all season. The Stars have had a rather condensed schedule to start the year, and thus most of their drill work has been done in morning skates.
“We’ve had stretches like this at the end of the season, but that’s different and you aren’t getting used to things,” Taylor Fedun added. “This stretch like this at the start of the season, it’s tough. You don’t get to touch the puck nearly enough when you don’t practice.”
A lack of time carrying the puck was a common complaint among the Stars’ players. And it’s hard not to blame them — head coach Jim Montgomery said most players will touch the puck for less than 30 seconds in an average game.
“I think it’s good for guys and good for myself, really,” Andrew Cogliano said. “I think I usually play better with more practice. I think it helps you feel the puck a little bit better, and you’re actually out there on the ice. Sometimes in games, you get so locked in to playing that you forget to feel the game sometimes.”
You can read more, including some interesting Jamie Oleksiak quotes, in Sean Shapiro’s story here.
Stars Stories
While we’re on the subject:
Star-Wired: Head coach Jim Montgomery mic’d up for Stars practice. 🔊@GEICO | #GoStars pic.twitter.com/NDDdluyqSo
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) October 23, 2019
It’s gameday! Corey Perry will have soon played against all 31 NHL teams, as the Stars take on the Anaheim Ducks:
Perry on facing Ducks for first time with Stars: ‘It’s going to be weird’ https://t.co/qwi8YH6ytv via @NHLdotcom
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) October 23, 2019
Here’s what several of Perry’s former teammates and colleagues have to say about Perry’s departure from Anaheim:
“I loved that guy.”
After 14 seasons with the Ducks, Corey Perry will face them for the first time Thursday. @icemancometh talked to Perry about adjusting to life in Dallas and compiled memories from 12 people who watched Perry closely in Anaheim.https://t.co/P6l3iJSOiw
— The Athletic LA (@TheAthleticLA) October 24, 2019
It’s Perry Palooza — here’s a breakdown of how well Perry looks alongside Jamie Benn and Roope Hintz:
I looked at the film from two games of dominance for the Benn-Hintz-Perry line, and how an unlikely marriage is flourishing.
“I think it’s the best line I’ve seen here besides when Rads, Seggy and Jamie have been rolling.” https://t.co/us4VF1LedV pic.twitter.com/QMXaMQbXja
— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) October 23, 2019
Around the League
Either the Arizona Coyotes have everyone fooled yet again, or they might actually be a playoff-caliber team this year:
After stumbling out of the gate, the Coyotes are on a six-game point streak, but it’s the process as much as the results that gives hope Arizona is prepared to take a step forward.@THNJaredClinton with more:https://t.co/9R8qGC5jop
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) October 23, 2019
Elliotte Friedman briefly touches upon Dallas among many other topics in his latest 31 Thoughts:
Enjoy this week’s 31 Thoughts: https://t.co/rnZdjmhpi9 https://t.co/PXkQWi3uzB
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 23, 2019
Hockey sure has changed over the past few decades — Down Goes Brown takes a trip down memory lane via old YouTube clips:
From earlier: I highly recommend going down the rabbit hole of old NHL footage on youtube. Be be warned, some of the things that used to happen are going to seem very strange. https://t.co/xdIJNGDQQw pic.twitter.com/ZLSqWXNAa8
— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) October 23, 2019
Marc-Andre Fleury is like a fine wine — he just gets better with age:
With his victory Tuesday night, Marc-Andre Fleury skipped past Terry Sawchuk on the NHL’s all-time wins list. How high can ‘Flower’ climb before his time is up?@THNKenCampbell with more:https://t.co/roZrjhBkp8
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) October 24, 2019
Remember how the Ducks signed Luca Sbisa? Yeah, about that…
#NHLJets claim Luca Sbisa off waivers.
DETAILS: https://t.co/e7G8VtWJyD
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) October 23, 2019
Finally…
Better start saving money, because the Winter Classic jerseys are getting revealed in just two weeks on November 6th!
Nov. 6 would be the 78th anniversary of the Dallas Texans’ first game. A reminder that this is the team’s Winter Classic logo. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/TVEYJMhaVP
— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) October 23, 2019