The Dallas Stars made a bit of an interesting move on Tuesday, recalling goaltender Jussi Rynnas from the AHL and loaning Anders Lindback to the Texas Stars on a conditioning assignment.
The swap is made in order to get Lindback playing time, which points to the Stars anticipating that the team will be riding Kari Lehtonen in goal for now. Rynnas has done well in his time in the AHL since his short stint with Dallas earlier this season and could get another chance while here, but the plan seems to be to get Lindback two or three games and then swap them back.
For those wondering where Jack Campbell fits into all this — the Stars organization firmly believes in players “forcing” their way into playing time. Right now, Campbell is not, while Rynnas has been.
Jussi Rynnas has been very successful record-wise for #txstars at 13-3-6. Campbell, as a counterpoint, is 3-10-4.
— 100 Degree Hockey (@100degreehockey) February 3, 2015
Here’s the press release:
FRISCO, Texas – Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has recalled goaltender Jussi Rynnas from the Texas Stars, Dallas’ development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). The club has also loaned goaltender Anders Lindback to Texas on a conditioning assignment.
Rynnas, 27, has appeared in two contests with Dallas this season, posting an 0-1-0 record with a .841 save percentage and a 4.57 goals against average. The goaltender owns a 13-3-6 record with a 2.68 goals against average and a .915 save percentage in 24 appearances with Texas in the 2014-15 campaign.
The 6-foot-5, 210-pound native of Pori, Finland was signed by Dallas as a free agent on July 7. 2014.
Lindback, 26, has a 2-7-0 record with an .875 save percentage and a 3.79 goals against average in nine appearances with Dallas in 2014-15. The Gavle, Sweden native has appeared in five games with Texas this season, posting a 3-2-0 record with a 1.59 goals against average and a .946 save percentage.
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound goaltender was originally selected by Nashville in the seventh round (207th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft and was signed by Dallas as a free agent on July 1, 2014.