Rising Stars - A Dallas BAGM (NHL 12)

[thrashman]

The Dallas Stars enter the 2011-2012 season determined to improve on a heartbreaking 2010-2011 which saw the club miss the playoffs on the final day of the season with a loss in Minnesota. Dallas will have to make the next step though without star center Brad Richards, who left the club to sign with the New York Rangers this offseason. The Stars did however bring in forward Michael Ryder who was part of the Boston Bruins' 2011 Stanley Cup champion squad. General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk's other offseason moves were low key depth acquisitions with the additions of Jake Dowell, Radek Dvorak, Vernon Fiddler, Eric Godard, Adam Pardy, and Sheldon Souray. Nieuwendyk and new head coach Glen Gulutzan hope these moves along with the veteran presence of players Brendan Morrow, Stephane Robidas, Mike Ribiero, and the continued growth of players Loui Eriksson, Kari Lehtonen, Alex Goligoski, Jamie Benn and others will end the Stars' playoff drought which has now reached three seasons for the 1999 Stanley Cup Champions.

[thrashman]

STARS SIGN GOALTENDER RAMO


Karri Ramo has spent the past two seasons with Avangard Omsk in the KHL.

9.23.11
stars.nhl.com

The Dallas Stars have added another Finnish goaltender to their roster by signing 25-year-old Karri Ramo to a 2 year, 2-way deal for $525,000 per season. The Asikkala, Finland native will now return to the NHL after a two year stay in Russia with the KHL's Avangard Omsk.

"Karri still has alot of potential as a goaltender and has shown his quality over in Russia," Dallas GM Joe Nieuwendyk said. "The 2-way deal does not mean he is automatically going to Texas (AHL)."

Ramo was a 6th round pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004 and spent three seasons in the Tampa Bay organization from 2006-2009. Ramo played a total of 48 games for the Lightning over those three seasons with a record of 11-21-10, a goals against average of 3.35, and a save percentage of .895.

Since heading to Russia in the summer of 2009, Ramo has been a dominant goaltender for Avangard. In 88 games he has a record of 54-23-8 with a 2.04 goals against average and a save percentage of .919. Ramo has also been named to the KHL All-Star Game in both of his seasons in Russia.

Ramo will now battle with Andrew Raycroft for the Stars' backup goaltender position behind fellow Finn Kari Lehtonen. If Ramo does not win the backup position he will start in the AHL for Texas.

[HeroWorship]

Already making some moves, huh?

Good luck with the Stars, post-Richards.

[Dynasty]

hey thrash :P good luck

[thrashman]

Quote: Originally Posted by HeroWorship

Already making some moves, huh? Good luck with the Stars, post-Richards.

Yeah, this team has some holes that I will try and patch as best I can.

Quote: Originally Posted by Dynasty

hey thrash :P good luck

Ohai, thanks. I will need it.

[thrashman]

DALLAS CONCLUDES PRESEASON


Scott Glennie gave Dallas a preview of the future.

10.1.11
stars.nhl.com

The Dallas Stars preseason is complete with a record of 1-3-0 as the team played mostly prospects in their first three games that resulted in defeats by scores of 6-3 to San Jose, 2-1 to Los Angeles, and 6-5 to Phoenix before the full Dallas lineup played in game four and got by Anaheim 2-1.

Leading the way for Dallas was Scott Glennie, the club's 1st round pick at 8th overall in 2009. The 20-year-old Canadian had 1 goal and 3 assists in 3 games to lead all Stars scorers in the preseason. Glennie had two multi-point games with 2 assists against San Jose and 1 goal and 1 assist against Phoenix. The Winnipeg native will begin the season with Texas of the AHL after finishing a junior career with the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Another impressive prospect was Glennie's linemate Ondrej Roman who also had 4 points in the preseason on 2 goals and 2 assists. Roman is a 22-year-old 5th round pick from the Czech Republic who had 22 points in 72 games for Texas last season after returning to North America from the Czech Extraliga where he played a season after his time with the Spokane Chiefs was over.

Leading the way on defense was 21-year-old Danish player Philip Larsen who had 2 assists in 3 games. The former 5th round pick does have 8 games of NHL experience over the past two seasons with 3 assists, but played primarily in Texas last year where he had 22 points in 54 games.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, it was a terrible preseason for Tomas Vincour. The 20-year-old Czech had 0 points in 3 games and was a woeful -6 plus/minus rating. This is surprising since Vincour has 24 games of NHL experience from last season where he had 2 points. Like Glennie, Roman, and Larsen, Vincour will be heading to Texas of the AHL.

The preseason also allowed Dallas to make a decision on their backup goaltender. While starter Kari Lehtonen got the Stars' only win, Karri Ramo did outplay Andrew Raycroft to earn the second goaltending spot in Dallas. In 1 game, Ramo allowed 2 goals and had a save percentage of .926 while Raycroft was miserable in two starts with a 6.00 goals against average and a save percentage of .778. Raycroft will be sent to Texas.

As far as injuries go, Radek Dvorak picked up a leg injury against Phoenix but was able to return for the next game against Anaheim and will be ready to start the regular season. Tough guy Luke Gadzic also suffered a broken nose in a fight against San Jose's Brad Winchester, but this will not affect Dallas as Gadzic is headed to the AHL.

Dallas now looks forward to October 7 and 8 when the Stars open at home against the Chicago Blackhawks and then go to Chicago the next night in a home-in-home matchup.

[thrashman]

OLIMB JOINS DALLAS


Mathis Olimb skating for Frolunda in Sweden's Elitserien.

10.2.11
stars.nhl.com

The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has agreed to a deal with Norwegian center Mathis Olimb on a 1-year contract worth $975,000.

The 25-year-old Olimb spent the 2010-2011 season in the Chicago Blackhawks system playing for the Rockford Ice Hogs of the AHL. In 60 games, Olimb had 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points. However, he was not called up to the NHL and departed from Chicago after the season.

Before returning to North America where Olimb had played one season of Canadian major junior hockey in 2004-2005, Olimb spent time playing in his native Norway with Valerenga as well as in Germany with Augsburger Panther and in Sweden with Frolunda.

Olimb is also a regular member of the Norwegian national team. He has represented Norway at all levels of international competition, most notably the 2010 Winter Olympics as well as four different World Championships including the 2011 tournament where he had the most assists of any player with 8 in 7 games.

At 5'10 and 174 pounds, Olimb is a smooth skating, playmaking forward with a decent shot. He is somewhat small in stature though, and needs continued work on his defensive game.

[Dynasty]

Good depth signing, good luck with the season