FRISCO, Texas — New Stars coach Pete DeBoer has embraced an interesting process when it comes to evaluating his players.
He has tried not to seek the opinion of others in hopes of relying on his own assessment skills while interacting both on and off the ice with a group of almost 60 skaters at training camp. As such, DeBoer said he is trying to give everyone as much time as possible before he has to start making hard decisions on the final roster.
“You want everyone to feel like they got a chance to show what they could do,” DeBoer said Friday after an impromptu scrimmage at the Comerica Center. “You want to see it in games. We’ve gotten almost everyone in games. Some guys got multiple games. Unfortunately, we’ve got to start making decisions. Today was a chance to throw in another scrimmage for guys who didn’t get multiple games.
“Every time we hit the ice, there’s an evaluation process going on.”
The Stars on Friday announced moves concerning seven players who are expected to head to Cedar Park and participate in the Texas Stars training camp. That will be an important group, as even the early “cuts” could be players who log some NHL time this year.
Video: Pete DeBoer gives an update on the team’s health
Among the players assigned are Matej Blumel, Antonio Stranges and Matt Murray. Blumel and Stranges were two of the better forwards at the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Mich., and each could be replacements once they get some AHL seasoning. Murray is expected to be the team’s No. 3 goalie, although that process is complicated by the presence of veteran Anton Khudobin.
It’s an intriguing dance, and a complicated one when you consider the team now has 45 players in camp and has to get down to 23. One of the “bubble” players was Ty Dellandrea, who suffered a finger injury on Thursday and will be out for 2-3 weeks. Because he is not expected to be on the opening night roster, that’s another opening to battle for.
“There’s another opening with Ty out,” DeBoer said. “Ty was having a great camp and I had him penciled in, so this is an opportunity for someone else to come in until he gets himself healthy again.”
DeBoer said he likes to see that competition.
“There is a large group there,” the coach said. “It speaks to the depth of the organization. I think there are a lot of guys there that I would feel comfortable putting in an NHL game. It’s them separating themselves from each other to see who gets that opportunity.”
Video: MIN@DAL: Dellandrea caps off sweet passing with SHG
Most of the focus will be on the forward group. Jason Robertson is a restricted free agent who has yet to sign a contract, so that’s one opening. Dallas also lost veterans Alexander Radulov, Michael Raffl and Vladislav Namestnikov in the off-season, so the plan is to replace them with younger players.
Dellandrea, 22, was at the top of that list. Also in the mix are: Wyatt Johnston19, Logan Stankoven19, Mavrik Bourque20, Riley Damiani22, Oskar Back22, Fredik Karlstrom, 24, Riley Tufte24, Fredrik Olofsson26 and Rhett Gardner26.
Johnston and Stankoven play in the CHL, so they have to either play in the NHL or go back to junior hockey. They are given a nine-game tryout before the team has to make a decision to keep them in the NHL full-time. While that is intriguing, it is rare, so focusing on the AHL players might be smart.
Damiani had 36 points (13 goals, assists) in 55 games with the Texas Stars last season and was one of the leaders in Traverse City. Back had 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists) in 71 games with Texas and served as captain in Traverse City, so the franchise obviously values him. Bourque had 68 points (20 goals, 48 assists) in 31 games in junior hockey, so he has offensive upside. However, he also still needs pro experience. Karlstrom, Tufte and Gardner are AHL veterans, and are waiting for the chance to make a good impression.
“There’s a desperation level to play,” DeBoer said. “It’s the best league in the world and when you look at the difference between an American (Hockey) League salary and an NHL salary, you can see where that desperation comes from.”
Most young players are on two-way contracts making almost 10 times as much when they play in the NHL.
DeBoer said he feels good about his decision to rely on his first-hand experience in camp, and believes it will result in good choices in the end. He simply wants the players to earn their spots. If they play well, they have earned that. If not, well, they have earned that, as well.
“I didn’t know this group really well,” DeBoer said. “I knew the key guys really well, but the depth guys you don’t know until you’re around them every day. You don’t realize some of the good things they bring in the dressing room and on the ice, the detail in their game, the compete level in their game.”
And with four more preseason games before the Oct. 13 season opener, he expects to learn even more.
Up next: Stars at Blues
Saturday, 7 p.m. CT
Where: Cable Dahmer Arena (Kansas City)
TV/radio: None
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.
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