Sights and observations from day one of Dallas Stars training camp
The Dallas Stars have officially wrapped up day one of training camp today. It was great seeing all of the players back on the ice. Training camp couldn’t have started if Jake Oettinger hadn’t led the team onto the ice. Seeing veterans like Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin back on the ice is fantastic after a long offseason. Let’s look at some sights and observations from day one of Stars training camp.
Dallas Stars Training Camp Day 1: Possible line combinations
We couldn’t start training camp off with some way too early line predictions from Dallas Stars Writer Mike Heika. If you want to take a look at what some of the line pairing suggestions were, take a look below if you want.
I hope the Ryan Suter and Miro Heiskanen pairing was just a joke (#FreeHeiskanen2023). Miro really needs to be paired with someone else to begin the season. The rest of his predictions look like what we could see by the end of training camp unless a rookie forces his way onto the opening night roster.
Dallas Stars Training Camp Day 1: Chase Wheatcroft making an introduction
Apparently Wheatcroft wasted no time introducing himself to Stars fans after a really good prospect tournament performance. It seems like he already made an impression on Saad Yousuf this morning after his tweet on Twitter. Wheatcroft was signed near the end of last season. He finished with 47 goals and 60 assists last season for the Prince George Cougars in the WHL. He also finished top five in goals scored joining top Stars Prospect Logan Stankoven.
I’m interested to see how Wheatcroft does during training camp and preseason games. He seems to have the same offensive instincts as Stankoven and a tad more speed. I mentioned this in the Top Prospects to Watch article yesterday. Make sure to add him to your watch list if you haven’t already.
Dallas Stars Training Camp Day 1: Nill addresses Stankoven’s future
Yesterday, Dallas Stars Jim Nill addressed the media about Stankoven as a lot of reporters had questions about what’s going to happen with him this season. Based on the answer that he gave, it seems like Stankoven will play in Cedar Park instead of being in the suite watching games. It’s smart because he will definitely get playing time from Texas Stars Head Coach Neil Graham. It’s only day one but you never know, Stankoven could be wearing Victory Green for the Dallas Stars this season at some point.
Dallas Stars Training Camp Day 1: Nils Lundkvist gained some muscle this offseason
One of the main surprises coming into training camp this year was a new and improved Lundkvist. Apparently, the young defenseman gained 15 pounds of muscle over the offseason. It surprised a lot of the reporters that were reporting at camp today.
You could tell last season that he needed to build some muscle since he was having issues with withstanding hits from other players. Hopefully, we can see what the new and improved Lundkvist on Sunday as the Stars take on the Arizona Coyotes.