Texas Stars Begin Preseason Friday; Rosters Set for Dallas Stars Scrimmage on Saturday

The Texas Stars begin their journey in defense of the Calder Cup on Friday night, taking on the Oklahoma City Barons at Cedar Park Center in the first preseason game for both teams.

New coach Derek Laxdal also begins his AHL career tonight, and will feature a bit of a "prospect" heavy roster tonight for the Stars, with many of the top players from both Dallas and Texas playing on Saturday. The Stars have a wealth of good young players to try and fit on a deep roster, especially on defense, and tonight' game will have plenty of players looking to make an impression for possible AHL callups in the near future.

From 100 Degree Hockey:

Forwards will likely be many of the ECHL contracted guys along with tryouts, including Steve Qualier, James Livingston, Jesse Root, Jason Bast, Wade MacLeod, and Colton Beck. There still need to be six more forwards to fill out the roster. Players on the bubble for Texas and Idaho would also probably be in tonight. Those guys might include Gemel Smith and Derek Hulak. A few other fourth liners will probably complete the roster, like Kevin Henderson or Branden Troock.

On defense, expect to see William Wrenn and Troy Vance, who are both looking like they are ECHL-bound with the assignment of Julius Honka and signing of Brenden Dillon. The rest of the blue liners will all likely be ECHL guys with so many of Texas' players in the scrimmage on Saturday and in the 'final' lineup on Sunday.

Tonight's game will start at 7 p.m. CT. Henri Kiviaho and Maxime Lagace are expected in net -- Jack Campbell has missed the past two days with an illness.

The Dallas Stars held a practice on Friday morning at Cedar Park Center, with the lines and defense pairings the same as yesterday.

Benn-Seguin-Nichushkin
Cole-Spezza-Hemsky
Roussel-Eakin-Garbutt
Horcoff-Fiddler-Sceviour/Eaves

Goligoski-Daley
Nemeth-Benn
Connauton-Oleksiak

Brenden Dillon, who signed his new contract on Thursday, is not expected to play this weekend.

The Stars will be holding an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday at 3 p.m. that includes players from both Dallas and Texas in a mixed "Victory Green vs. White" scrimmage. Here are the rosters for both teams, although these are subject to change and likely will.

There is no word on any streaming for tomorrow's scrimmage.