Stars Team Report
Yahoo! Sports
Jul 31, 4:10 am EDT


INSIDE SHOTS

This time last year, Steve Ott’s(notes) role was, at best, undecided. After all, the Stars had gone to some decent lengths (especially monetarily) to sign noted agitator Sean Avery(notes) last July, and Ott certainly had to wonder where he stood in the Stars’ system.


Well, it wouldn’t take him long to find out. Throw in Avery’s abrupt departure and way too many injuries, and Ott suddenly had a lot of opportunities. He took advantage of every one of them. And that may be why, when you scroll the Stars on-line roster, there’s an “A” beside Ott’s name. He’s earned some marks.


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While he battled through a hand injury that left him unable to tussle (at least physically), Ott nevertheless juggled a lot of responsibilities well last season. He still talked plenty, but his big contributions came on the top line with Mike Ribeiro(notes). Missing Brenden Morrow(notes), Ribeiro needed someone who would win puck battles in the corners and get in front of the net as soon as possible.


Ott did all that—he finished with a career-high 19 goals—and then some. And that mouth? Well, it certainly couldn’t hurt the Stars to have another vocal guy in the locker room.


Considering his work in 2008-09, Ott probably won’t have to fight for a role on this Stars team this season. So he can save his fighting work for where it’s always been most effective: the ice.


NOTES, QUOTES

• Who coach Marc Crawford’s assistants are is still unknown, but according to the team website Stu Barnes(notes) will be one of them. Barnes, who became an assistant after retiring last season, could still be a big help to the Stars under a new coach. He’s familiar with most of the Stars and a great teacher, specifically for the centers. He should be especially helpful as Toby Petersen(notes) continues to fill his shoes on the ice.

• The Stars’ defense could be strong again this season, but they’ll need their youthful defensemen to start playing more like veterans. There were certainly signs of that last season (Nicklas Grossman(notes) was solid throughout, and Matt Niskanen(notes) got better as the year progressed). The Stars are without their big veteran names (Sergei Zubov(notes) and Daryl Sydor), and guys like Stephane Robidas(notes) and Trevor Daley(notes) are going to need help.


Quote To Note: “Last season was a tough one for me, and I am very confident that I will have a good season. It all comes down to a good start—that’s my goal.”—goaltender Marty Turco(notes), to dallasstars.com, on his focus this season.


ROSTER REPORT

Player News:


• RW Fabian Brunnstrom’s(notes) offense last season wasn’t a big surprise; the rookie was touted for his skills there. But Brunnstrom showed that he could still improve on the defensive side of the puck. With one full NHL season under his belt, and figuring that’s the focus of his off-season work, the Stars probably expect to see some improvement there.


• LW Loui Eriksson(notes) enters this season with very high expectations, but he can only “blame” himself. After all, jumping from a 14-goal season to a 36-goal campaign will do that. So how will Eriksson respond? He’s always been a guy whose game is dependent on his confidence level; with that in mind, Eriksson should come in ready and motivated, and another 30-goal season is definitely expected.


• D Trevor Daley has earned veteran status the past season-plus with the Stars. Now he has a new title: dad. Daley became a father for the first time on July 11, with the birth of his son, Trevor Jr.


Draft Picks Of Note:


• Scott Glennie, 6-1, 177, Brandon (WHL), first round, 8th overall —- A right wing who can also play center, Glennie finished fifth in rookie scoring with 58 points during the 2007-08 season. Glennie has solid speed and skill that could help the Stars down the middle or on the right side.


• Alex Chiasson, 6-4, 187, Iowa (USHL), second round, 38th overall—The right wing has good size and could be a valuable net-crashing forward (a la Brenden Morrow?) in the future for the Stars. Chiasson made the USHL All-Rookie team this past season and will play at Boston University this fall.


• Tomas Vincour, 6-2, 203, Edmonton (WHL), fifth round, 129th overall—A center from the Czech Republic, Vincour also possesses good size with a complimentary physical game. Vincour tallied 17 goals and 19 assists in 49 games with the Edmonton Oil Kings last season.