Scouting The Enemy: Dallas Stars
On the second night of a road back-to-back, the Panthers draw the Dallas Stars.
The Florida Panthers will face the Dallas Stars for the 28th time in their 21 season history. They own a 13-11-0 record all time in head-to-head competition, with three ties prior to the cancelled 2004-05 season. Florida's .537 points percentage is their sixth best record against any team.
Florida has actually won three in a row against Dallas, and haven't suffered a loss to the club since October 21st, 2010. The most recent meeting would see the Panthers close the match out with a 3-2 advantage on markers by Scottie Upshall (15), Brandon Pirri (12), and Sean Bergenheim (16). Then-recently returned Roberto Luongo stopped 35 Stars' shots for the win. Box Score
More on the Stars:
Forwards
First Line
14 - Jamie Benn
Benn is a 6'2", 205 lb. left winger from Victoria, BC. He was the fifth round pick for the Stars back in 2007, and is now in his sixth-season with the club. Still just 25-years-old, he finished eighth in the NHL last season with 79 points.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 398 | 134 | 187 | 321 |
This Season | 54 | 18 | 31 | 49 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 5 | 7 | 12 |
vs. Florida | 5 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Assets: | Has an excellent frame, plus plenty of scoring and all-around acumen. Leads by example and is driven to succeed. Can play all three forward positions, as well. |
| Flaws: | Needs to continue improving his face-off skills if he is to play the center position, long term. Also needs to continue to work on his game-to-game consistency. |
| Career Potential: | Excellent scoring forward with size and versatility. |
91 - Tyler Seguin
Seguin is a 23-year-old, 6'1", 182 lb. center from Brampton, ON. He was originally selected second overall in the 2010 draft by the Boston Bruins. Now in his fifth NHL season, this is his second year with Dallas. He's already played in two all-star games, and led the NHL with three hat tricks last season.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 337 | 122 | 142 | 264 |
This Season | 54 | 29 | 30 | 59 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 2 | 7 | 9 |
vs. Florida | 13 | 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Assets: | Skates extremely well and has great puck skills. A brilliant one-on-one player, he can dipsy-doodle at high speed. Has a nose for the net. Can put up big offensive numbers and make his linemates better at the same time. Owns a nice frame to grow into, too. |
| Flaws: | Must add more bulk to his 6-1 frame and get physically stronger in order to better handle the biggest and best NHL defenders. Also needs to prove he can perform with sustained excellence. While he can play both center and wing, he's better as a pivot. |
| Career Potential: | Talented scoring forward with big upside. |
18 - Patrick Eaves
Eaves, a 30-year-old right winger in his 10th NHL season, was originally chosen in the first round of the 2003 draft by the Ottawa Senators. Now with his fifth NHL team, the 6', 187 lb. native of Calgary is in his first year with the Stars.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 471 | 80 | 79 | 159 |
This Season | 27 | 6 | 7 | 13 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
vs. Florida | 17 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Assets: | Owns solid penalty-killing qualities. Is an excellent skater and forechecker. Anticipates plays well at both ends of the ice, and displays some all-around acumen. Can play either wing position. |
| Flaws: | Is somewhat prone to serious injury. Isn't a natural goal-scorer. Lacks the ideal size and strength to thrive at the National Hockey League level. Could use more fine-tuning in all aspects of the game. |
| Career Potential: | Solid defensive but somewhat fragile winger. |
Second Line
72 - Erik Cole
Cole is a 36-year-old left wing from Oswego, NY. A 6'2", 212 lb. 13-year-veteran, Cole is with his fourth NHL team and playing in his third season with the Stars. He currently ranks sixth in the NHL with an 18.3 shooting percentage.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 873 | 259 | 260 | 519 |
This Season | 49 | 15 | 11 | 26 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 6 | 2 | 8 |
vs. Florida | 53 | 20 | 21 | 41 |
| Assets: | Has great straight-ahead skating ability and work ethic. Hits anything that moves. Plays a gritty, in-your-face style and owns solid scoring instincts. Leads by example on the ice. |
| Flaws: | Over time, his body has broken down due to the punishment that comes with playing a power forward's role. His abrasiveness will continue to be a concern moving forward. |
| Career Potential: | Quality veteran power forward. |
90 - Jason Spezza
Spezza is a 31-year-old, 12-year veteran who played his first 11 years with the Ottawa Senators before joining the Stars for this season. The 6'3", 216 lb. center from Mississauga, Ontario has played in two all star games.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 740 | 261 | 468 | 729 |
This Season | 54 | 10 | 32 | 42 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 2 | 8 | 10 |
vs. Florida | 39 | 10 | 23 | 33 |
| Assets: | Has a wealth of playmaking talent. Uses his size and reach very well in the offensive zone. Can also shoot the puck, which surprises many. Displays all the tools to dominate at the center position. Is improving his defensive game. |
| Flaws: | His skating ability, play without the puck and physical toughness are all average, at best. Can be guilty of overhandling the puck at times. Turns the puck over a lot while trying to create offense. Needs to stay focused. |
| Career Potential: | Excellent veteran playmaking center. |
83 - Ales Hemsky
Hemsky is a 6', 185 lb. right winger. He was initially selected by the Edmonton Oilers with the 13th overall pick in the 2001 draft. Now in his 12th season with his third team, the 31-year-old hails from Pardubice, Czechoslovakia.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 723 | 155 | 362 | 517 |
This Season | 51 | 9 | 14 | 23 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
vs. Florida | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Assets: | Has excellent instincts and offensive creativity. Owns an effortless skating stride and incredible puck skills. Possesses outstanding playmaking ability. Also has an uncanny ability to hold onto the puck a very long while. |
| Flaws: | Gets hurt way too often. Doesn't shoot the puck enough, even when he's in prime scoring position. Isn't physically strong enough to dominate in the corners. Can appear lazy at times, since his game is more graceful than gritty. |
| Career Potential: | Dangling, playmaking but fragile scoring winger. |
Third Line
22 - Colton Sceviour
Sceviour is a 6', 201 lb. forward from Red Deer, Alberta. He was chosen initially by the Stars in the fourth round of the 2007 draft. Now 25-years-old, the four year veteran has spent his entire career to this point with Dallas.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 74 | 14 | 17 | 31 |
This Season | 46 | 6 | 12 | 18 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
vs. Florida | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Assets: | Is a two-way player with pretty good setup skills from the wing position. Is also a hard worker who will do what it takes to help his team win. |
| Flaws: | Doesn't have ideal size (6-0), nor is he an overly physical player. Therefore, he will have to produce regularly over time in order to make his mark. |
| Career Potential: | Solid winger with a little upside. |
20 - Cody Eakin
Eakin is a 6', 190 lb. center from Winnipeg. The Washington Capitals spent their third round pick on him in 2009. Now 23-years-old, the now four-year NHL veteran joined the Stars after an unremarkable rookie season with the Caps.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 210 | 37 | 53 | 90 |
This Season | 51 | 10 | 13 | 23 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
vs. Florida | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Assets: | Works very hard and has two-way savvy. Is a fierce competitor and a versatile forward--capable of playing both center and wing. Has scoring upside and is a clutch performer. |
| Flaws: | At times, he tries to do too much on the ice. Also, he doesn't have ideal size and needs to get stronger in order to shine at the highest level. Also needs to improve his decision-making. |
| Career Potential: | Sound two-way forward with some upside. |
16 - Ryan Garbutt
Garbutt is a 29-year-old, four year NHL veteran, all with the Stars. The 6', 190 lb. center from Winnipeg went undrafted after four seasons of collegiate hockey with Brown University. He earned notice in 2009-10, when he racked up 204 penatly minutes in 64 games, also totaling 50 points for the Corpus Christi Icerays in the CHL.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 177 | 29 | 33 | 62 |
This Season | 46 | 7 | 10 | 17 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
vs. Florida | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Assets: | Has the ability to play a physical brand of hockey. Can also produce solid point totals at lower levels. Doesn't know the meaning of the word 'quit'. |
| Flaws: | Could use more bulk and overall strength for his 6-0, 190-pound frame in order to better compete at the National Hockey League level. |
| Career Potential: | Depth forward. |
Fourth Line
10 - Shawn Horcoff
Horcoff, a 14-year NHL veteran, spent his first 12 NHL seasons with the Edmonton Oilers after they drafted him in the fourth round back in 1998. A 6'1", 208 lb. product of Trail, BC, the 36-year-old appeared in the 2008 NHL All-Star Game.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 923 | 176 | 310 | 486 |
This Season | 50 | 7 | 12 | 19 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
vs. Florida | 13 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Assets: | Is a sound positional player and works hard at all aspects of his game. Has good puck-handling skills. Skates very well and is a good face-off man. Always leads by example. |
| Flaws: | Doesn't cash in on enough of his many scoring chances, nor does he use his size enough to his advantage. Needs to be quicker in his decision-making ability. Has disappointed on offense. |
| Career Potential: | Veteran two-way center and leader. |
38 - Vernon Fiddler
Fiddler is a 5'11", 197 lb. center from Edmonton. The 34-year-old 12-year NHL veteran first surfaced with the Nashville Predators in 2002-03. Now on his third NHL team, Fiddler is in his fourth season with Dallas.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 708 | 84 | 141 | 225 |
This Season | 52 | 7 | 12 | 19 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
vs. Florida | 9 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Assets: | Plays with hockey smarts, can get under opponents' skin, displays solid defensive instincts and sound face-off skills. Is an excellent role player. |
| Flaws: | Lacks offensive acumen to be a constant threat. Sticks his nose in everyone's business but isn't big enough to play an overly physical game. |
| Career Potential: | Agitating defensive center. |
27 - Travis Moen
Moen was initially a fifth round pick of the Calgary Flames in 2000. The 32-year-old, 6'2", 215 lb., 11-year veteran is on his fifth team, having joined the Stars via trade earlier this season from the Montreal Canadiens.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 717 | 57 | 74 | 131 |
This Season | 37 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
vs. Florida | 20 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Assets: | Has good size and a sound work ethic. Possesses team skills and is a solid role player. Kills penalties with aplomb and adds toughness to a lineup. Can also play a complementary role up front, but is at his best on a checking unit. |
| Flaws: | Lacks natural talent, so he tends to struggle in the National Hockey League when given too many offensive responsibilities and extra ice time. Is only an average skater by big-league standards. Is prone to slumps. |
| Career Potential: | Versatile veteran physical checker. |
Defensive Corps
First Pairing
33 - Alex Goligoski
Goligoski is a 5'11", 181 lb. blueliner from Grand Rapids, MN. He was selected in the second round of the 2004 draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, joining the Stars midway through his fourth NHL season. Now in his fifth season with the Stars, the 29-year-old led the NHL in games played in 2010-11 due to the trade (which also involved James Neal), with 83.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 453 | 48 | 182 | 230 |
This Season | 54 | 2 | 24 | 26 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
vs. Florida | 9 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Assets: | Possesses plenty of offensive acumen. Has excellent mobility, sound puck-moving skills and the ability to jump up into the play. Will also distribute hits, when necessary. Can log lots of minutes. |
| Flaws: | Can at times cough up the puck under pressure. Is an undersized defender that can struggle when up against physical forwards, especially in front of his own net. Could use more bulk. |
| Career Potential: | Mobile offensive defenseman. |
3 - John Klingberg
Klingberg is a 6', 158 lb. defender form Gothenburg, Sweden. The 22-year-old rookie was selected by the Stars in the fifth round of the 2010 draft. I haven't heard the buzz on this guy, but he has 11 points in his last seven games and should start garnering consideration for the Calder Memorial Trophy if this keeps up much longer.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 40 | 10 | 19 | 29 |
This Season | 40 | 10 | 19 | 29 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 4 | 9 | 13 |
vs. Florida | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Assets: | An offensive defenseman with a big shot from the point, he's also a smooth skater with good instincts. Can be a real asset on the power play. Doesn't lack in confidence with the puck. |
| Flaws: | Must continue to add bulk and fill out his frame in order to prove he can produce at the highest level over the long haul. Also, he could stand to be more aggressive when defending his territory. |
| Career Potential: | Talented offensive defenseman with upside. |
Second Pairing
2 - Jyrki Jokipakka
Jokipakka was chosen by the Stars in the seventh round of the draft back in 2011, and is also a rookie. The 6'3", 191 lb. 23-year-old native of Tampere, Finland has yet to score his first NHL goal.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 24 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
This Season | 24 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
vs. Florida | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Assets: | Owns a very projectable 6-3 frame, plus sound all-round ability. Moves the puck efficiently most of the time and also has some offensive upside. |
| Flaws: | Will need to fill out his frame in order to maximize production at the highest level. Also, he could stand to be more aggressive in the physical department. |
| Career Potential: | Quality all-round defenseman with upside. |
6 - Trevor Daley
Daley, a 31-year-old defenseman from Toronto, was a 5'11", 198 lb. second round pick of the Stars in the 2002 draft. The 11-year veteran has two more shorthanded goals this season than the Florida Panthers.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 739 | 65 | 155 | 220 |
This Season | 51 | 14 | 13 | 27 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 5 | 3 | 8 |
vs. Florida | 9 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Assets: | Owns outstanding mobility and durability. Has tremendous athleticism and solid all-around ability. Is a dedicated worker and solid team player. Can log huge minutes. |
| Flaws: | Since he's a little undersized, he can struggle when up against big forwards in front of the net. Can at times make bad decisions with the puck in the defensive zone. |
| Career Potential: | Mobile big-minute defenseman. |
Third Pairing
24 - Jordie Benn
Benn is a 27-year-old, 6'1", 200 lb. blueliner from Victoria, BC. Undrafted, he bounced around the Stars' feeder system until making his debut with the NHL club in 2011-12. Yes, he is Jamie's brother.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 155 | 5 | 33 | 38 |
This Season | 48 | 1 | 9 | 10 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
vs. Florida | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Assets: | Moves the puck well and is also fairly mobile. Makes a solid first pass and knows how to get out of trouble in his own end. Works hard at improving his game, overall. |
| Flaws: | Is somewhat undersized for the National Hockey League game, so bigger forwards tend to cause him problems in the defensive zone. Also lacks high-end skill. |
| Career Potential: | Depth defenseman. |
4 - Jason Demers
Demers is a 6'1", 195 lb. defenseman from Dorval, PQ. The 26-year-old six-year veteran was selected in the seventh round of the 2008 draft by the San Jose Sharks. He joined the Stars partway through this season.
| Games | G | A | Pts |
Career | 334 | 18 | 92 | 110 |
This Season | 54 | 2 | 13 | 15 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
vs. Florida | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Assets: | Moves the puck quickly and efficiently--and also likes to join the rush. Has a good frame, plus mobility and passing skills. Can also shoot quite well from the point. Is willing to play a physical game. |
| Flaws: | Needs to play with more consistency from game to game, especially in terms of using the body regularly and in defensive-zone coverage. His skating and decision-making need more improvement. |
| Career Potential: | Offensive puck-moving defenseman with some upside. |
Goaltenders
Probable Starter
32 - Kari Lehtonen
Lehtonen is a 6'4", 217 lb. backstop from Helsinki, Finland. The 31-year-old 11-year veteran is with his second team. He played for the Atlanta Thrashers for five seasons before joining Dallas. He was initially selected with the second overall pick in the 2002 draft, by Atlanta.
| Games | W | L | OTL | SV% | GAA | SO |
Career | 491 | 237 | 179 | 53 | 0.914 | 2.69 | 30 |
This Season | 46 | 23 | 12 | 8 | 0.906 | 2.94 | 3 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0.911 | 2.90 | 0 |
vs. Florida | 26 | 13 | 8 | 4 | 0.921 | 2.56 | 3 |
| Assets: | Has excellent size and handles the puck extremely well. Is extremely quick and agile, challenges shooters, covers most of the net thanks to size and is a confident 'keeper when at his best. Has improved his conditionning level. |
| Flaws: | Because he's so big, and because of his style, at times he can look a little slow in the crease area. He likes to play the angles, but can't forget to rely on mostly just that aspect. Can also at times drop to his knees too early. |
| Career Potential: | Excellent workhorse goaltender. |
Probable Backup
1 - Jhonas Enroth
Enroth is a 5'10", 166 lb. goaltender from Stockholm, Sweden. The 26-year-old six-year veteran was chosen by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round of the 2006 draft. He joined the Stars on Wednesday, when Dallas sent Anders Lindback and a third round pick to Buffalo.
| Games | W | L | OTL | SV% | GAA | SO |
Career | 118 | 38 | 56 | 14 | 0.910 | 2.92 | 4 |
This Season | 37 | 13 | 21 | 2 | 0.903 | 3.27 | 1 |
Last 10 played | 10 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0.886 | 3.61 | 0 |
vs. Florida | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0.958 | 1.47 | 0 |
| Assets: | Is extremely quick and agile. Has outstanding reflexes and solid instincts for the goaltending position. Has good anticipation and performs well under pressure. |
| Flaws: | Doesn't have ideal size for a National Hockey League goaltender, and also needs to improve his stamina to better handle a heavier workload in the big league. |
| Career Potential: | Talented goaltender with some upside. |
Make sure to check back here later for the Gamethread, the Recat after the match, and the AM roundup tomorrow morning. Head over to Defending Big D for more on the Stars.
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