Dallas Stars Training Camp: Day 2 Review

The Dallas Stars took the ice for day 2 of 2021 Training Camp at the team’s practice facility in Frisco, TX. Practice sessions remain closed to the public due to COVID-19 protocols. Thankfully, Stars media members have been given access to the Comerica Center and continue to serve as the eyes and ears for fans.

Blackout Dallas has compiled the top storylines to come out of the 2nd day of Stars camp.

Ryan Suter looks good in Victory Green.

Kyle Shohara posted his interview with Ryan Suter following today’s session. The 7-minute clip includes the veteran defenseman talking about his pairing with John Klingberg. Suter commends Klingberg’s ability to skate and shoot and predicted a “seamless transition” to the Stars’ system.

The Stars signed Suter to a 4-year contract worth $3.65 million per year this offseason. The 36-year old is a well-established NHL veteran that has slowed with age, but remains fundamentally sound. His early camp pairing with Klingberg signals the Stars intent to pair Esa Lindell and Miro Heiskanen at the top for the longterm.

We think Suter and Klingberg can materialize into the best puck-moving defensive duo in the NHL.

John Klingberg wants a new contract ASAP.

Speaking of John Klingberg, the Swedish defenseman also spoke with the media following Friday’s practice. Klingberg made it very clear he wants to be a Dallas Stars for his entire career and prefers a new deal as soon as possible.

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Unless something changes on the Dallas Stars front, Klingberg will be an unrestricted free agent following this season. Klingberg is one of the best puck-moving defenseman in the league and the Stars want to keep him around. One might assume Dallas would have completed Klingberg’s extension by now, but the flat salary cap stands in the way.

We think Klingberg excels in his pairing with Suter and forces Dallas’s hand this offseason. The Stars are likely to wait for the salary cap to rise before the 2022-23 season signing Klingberg to a new deal.

New goalie masks!

The Dallas Stars goalie logjam has been well-documented and remains the most interesting position battle at camp. We’ll take a break from the speculation on who wins the battle and enjoy the moment. Today’s moment was marveling at all the new masks.

Braden Holtby debuted his first Stars mask, a predominantly white design that would pair nicely with the Reverse Retro uniform. Holtby enters Dallas’s camp on a one-year, “prove it” deal. He’ll look to regain his Stanley Cup winning form in while (again) wearing the no. 70 in Victory Green.

Jake Oettinger might be the odd-man out in the camp goalie battle, but he’s going to fight with a nice, new lid. It makes sense the kid nicknamed “The Otter” would showcase a paint job featuring an otter.

Oettinger was nice surprise for the Dallas Stars in 2020-21, winning 11 games with a .911 SV% and 2.36 GAA. Stars fans should not underestimate the Minnesota native during training camp. Oettinger is going to make his case for one of Dallas’s two goalie spots on the opening night roster.

Ben Bishop Is the X-factor in the Stars goalie battle. The 11-year veteran has yet to be medically cleared to play, but continues to workout on the ice. Bishop is optimistic that he will play this season, as evidenced by his new mask that matches the “Blackout” alternate sweaters.

The Dallas Stars will be back on the ice Saturday, working toward their first preseason game at St. Louis. Stay tuned as Blackout Dallas continues to deliver the need-to-know storylines from each day. -J.G.