So far so good for Nieuwendyk's Stars

OCTOBER 22, 2009 -- A 4-2 victory over division rival Anaheim Wednesday night kept the Dallas Stars in the thick of things in the early part of the season. The Stars have lost just twice in regulation in nine games, and have racked up a tidy eleven of a possible 16 points against Western conference foes.

LOUI ERIKSSON

Center Brad Richards missed his second game due to injury, but the Stars, now led by GM Joe Nieuwendyk and coach Marc Crawford, saw the team's hard forecheck and more offensive style than in seasons past help seize the game in the early going.

The team is leaning heavily on a youngish defense, and working a slew of new forwards into its rotation as it develops a new identity this season, after firing coach Dave Tippett and bouncing former co-GM's Brett Hull and Les Jackson upstairs to the executive suite.

A major stylistic shift courtesy Crawford is at hand.

"I think that maybe in years past, there was more of a defensive posture," says GM Nieuwendyk. "Now, we're really trying to push the puck up ice, and this is how we've played most of our games, pushing the pace, and getting as much traffic around their net as we can and that includes a lot of our young defense, which we like to move up into the play. You don't want to take anything away from the defensive principles that have been here forever, but we're just trying to get more at the other end (of the ice)."

"It's been talked about a lot. I think (we want to be) more aggressive on the forecheck, put pressure on teams," says Richards. "A little bit more of a philosophy of our defense jumping into the rush, getting a little more offense from the defense, that's the main difference."

Trevor Daley got the winner in Anaheim. Daley leads a trio of young defensemen--none older than 26--including Nik Grossman and Matt Niskanen. All three were developed by the club.

"That's what we've got (a young defense), so they've got to play like veterans," says Brad Richards. "That's our defense and no one else is coming in. They know that. They've got to put pressure on themselves, and they're growing up quickly. They're very confident back there."

The team's veteran defensive leader, Stephane Robidas, 32, has two goals and six points. The defensive corps has responded well after the team bid farewell to longtime defensive anchor Sergei Zubov. The Stars added 35-year-old Karlis Skrastins for veteran depth.

James Neal and Loui Eriksson have flanked Richards when healthy. Eriksson, who led the Stars with 36 goals last season, has four in nine contests thus far while a handful of young forwards look to give the Stars depth. Rookie Jamie Benn, 20, has seven points, ranking second amongst rookie scorers. James Neal, 22, has nine points.

"We really believe that we're able to start to build a core group of players that are going to be with us a long time," says Nieuwendyk.

"Eriksson, (also) Jamie Benn have been a real pleasant surprise, how well he's been doing early in his career," Nieuwendyk continued. "So, the future is bright. We're gonna be a team that's tough to play against with those young guys. These days, I think you have to have those young guys who can come into your lineup."

Brad Richards, now in his third season (and second full season) in Dallas, has found chemistry with his young linemates.

"When I got traded here, we played Anaheim in the playoffs and Loui Eriksson (Dallas’ second-round selection, 2003) and I seemed to find some chemistry. He's a great player, very underrated. James Neal has played with us, and we've had some great chemistry. Hopefully we can have a great, healthy season."

In Richards' absence, Marc Crawford has kept the line intact, substituting rookie Tom Wandell (drafted 5th round, 2005) at center. The line shut down Teemu Selanne, Saku Koivu and Erik Christensen Wednesday head-to-head, and Eriksson scored the game's first goal on assists from Neal and Wandell.

On the top line, Brenden Morrow (6-4-10) has started strong, back on a line with Mike Ribiero (3-6-9) and rookie Jamie Benn (2-5-7).

Goaltender Marty Turco, in the last year of his current contract, faced some early critique for losing three shootouts, but the tandem of Turco and Alex Auld has combined to record a 2.49GAA and .907SV%, good for eighth overall. The addition of Auld, 29, who came over from Ottawa, has helped refocus the 34-year-old Turco, the club's longtime netminder. This is Auld's sixth team in his short career.

RICHARDS ON THE SHELF

BRAD RICHARDS

Once again this season, Richards finds himself on the injured list, with a groin pull. Last season, he missed 25 games due to a broken right wrist and later, a broken left hand.

"I'm trying to get ahead of it, trying to get some rest," says Richards. "Groin (injuries) are tricky. If you come back too early, you can (reinjure) it again two weeks down the road. I'm trying to get it to where I can get out there regularly and play pain free."

Richards leapt out of the gate to lead the Stars in scoring (3-6-9 in seven games) prior to the injury. He's benefited from Crawford's hard-charging scheme.

"He's energized, loving the way we're playing. He's come up with a groin injury, but he shouldn't be out too long," says Nieuwendyk.

While Richards role hasn't changed much--he's responsible for major point production as well as special teams play with a strong defensive backbone--he feels that the current incarnation of the Stars reminds him of his Cup days in Tampa.

"I think that this year is a little more like in Tampa's (system). I've played the same type of role throughout my career, and I've been fortunate enough to have coaches that have trusted me in those positions. I just want to keep it going."

Richards' hugely successful career, all nine seasons of it, has been sandwiched around the lockout, which qualifies him to speak on the differences between the "old" NHL and "new," or post-lockout, league.

"Well, you can look at it differently, I won (the Cup) in a different era, I liked it that way, too!"

"It had to change. I think that the year (Tampa Bay) won it, if you had 75 or 80 points, you were in the top ten in scoring. It was congested out there (on the ice)."

After the league came back in 2005-06, Richards saw it turn around.

"There were a lot of power plays (post-lockout). It took a while, the fans were noticing that there were a lot of power plays. It took a while, but now, you're seeing a lot more movement through the neutral zone. The hooking just isn't there, because they know it's going to be called. The game has opened up in the middle of the ice. It's always a work in progress, no one's ever happy, but the game needed a change. It's been refreshing to be able to wheel. You see the d-men having a lot more chances to jump up into the play down low. You see a lot more cycling. I think overall that these have been good changes."