Texas Stars Tied 1-1 In Calder Cup Final: Mailbag

Welcome back to Stars Mailbag fellow fans! The mailbag posts took a three week hiatus following the season-ending loss to Anaheim. We have lots to talk about this week so let’s get started.

Cody from St.Petersburg, FLA writes:

The Texas Stars are having a fantastic run in the AHL playoffs as we speak. There’s a ton of prospects that have impressed me so far in their playoff run. Which prospect do you expect to be on the NHL club next season?

There are likely a couple of players that may make the jump for the 2014-2015 season. With potential free agents Ray Whitney, Vernon Fiddler, and Tim Thomas moving on, there will be a couple of spots open on the big club. Curtis McKenzie had an incredibly strong campaign for Texas and was consequentially named AHL rookie of the year. McKenzie’s linemate, Travis Morin, also had an incredible season down in Cedar Park. Morin finished the season with 88 points in 66 games played and was named AHL Most Valuable Player. These two players had great seasons for a great team down in Austin this year. If they can continue their strong play throughout the Calder Cup Final and training camp in September, I would not be surprised to see them both start the season with Dallas in October.

Chris from Woodlands, TX writes:

Does Jack Campbell’s injury in the AHL playoffs hurt his chances at being the backup in Dallas next season?

I truly believe that the plan was that Campbell was going to lead the Texas Stars through the AHL playoffs and learn some valuable lessons under head coach Willie Desjardins this season. All the experiences Campbell was to go through this season, were supposed to prepare him for the NHL backup job next season. As we all know, Campbell’s season has not gone according to plan. Campbell battled injury problems in the regular season and only appeared in 16 games. He found his groove in those 16 games as he went 12-2-2 with a .942 save percentage. He then returned towards the end of the regular season just in time for the beginning of the playoffs. Campbell and other Texas goaltender, Cristopher Nilstorp, began the playoffs as a dynamic goaltending duo. The Stars were cruising until Campbell again went down with an injury. Campbell has been plagued with the injury bug all season and it seems to have thrown a wrench into the backup goaltender plans for the Dallas Stars. Campbell has just recently returned to the Texas Stars as they battle the St.Johns Ice Dogs in the Calder Cup Final. His lack of playing time and inability to stay healthy this season for Texas are both concerns that Stars GM Jim Nill has identified. My guess is that the Stars will explore a goaltender via free agency or trade this summer, to help Kari Lehtonen shoulder the load next season. Campbell will likely get another season down in the AHL to try and prove he can stay healthy before seeing part-time NHL action.

Ben from Uppsala, SWE writes:

Do the Texas Stars have what it takes to win the AHL final?

I would be very surprised if the Texas Stars did not win the Calder Cup this season. It was their second straight season finishing on top of the Western Conference, and it seems as if they have learned from their playoff mistakes of a year ago. They have great depth throughout the lineup with Ritchie, Stransky, Morin, McKenzie, Jeffrey, Mueller, Dowling, and Glennie all being contributors on a nightly basis. Their defensive corps of Oleksiak, Nemeth, and Gaunce, who all have NHL experience, are leading the charge on the back end. Not to mention, Cristopher Nilstorp is playing some of the best hockey of his career between the pipes. My ultimate guess is Texas will beat St.John’s in six games.

That’s all the time we have for now Stars fans. Keep connected with our website through Facebook (FSBLACKOUTDALLAS), Twitter (@BlackoutDallas) or leave us a comment below. Try to tune into an AHL finals game as well. They are being broadcasted on NHL Network, and the Texas Stars feature a plethora of prospects that are expected to be big time contributors for the Dallas Stars in a very short while.