3 thoughts on Dallas Stars preseason win at Minnesota Wild

The Dallas Stars are 5-0 in the preseason after knocking off the Minnesota Wild 4-2 on Sunday night. The Wild won the practice shootout 2-0. Here are some thoughts.

Who? Arttu Hyry

Not only does he have the best name at training camp, but Arttu Hyry has been one of the most impressive of the 58 players who showed up on day one.

The 23-year-old Finnish forward has not stopped catching attention over the past couple of weeks. After impressing in Traverse City at the prospects showcase, Hyry has played very well and scored two goals in four preseason games with Dallas.

He has been a mainstay on the power play and showed why with his goal tonight:

Hyry has a legitimate shot at cracking the NHL roster. It may be on opening night–Bäck and Lind also have a really good chance–or it could be further down the line. But he is ready.

Hyry has played and succeeded in professional hockey in Finland, got his feet wet in the World Championships this summer, and has the support of Jere Lehtinen, which goes a long way in this town.

Logan Stankoven could score 40 goals

This kid just does not stop impressing.

After recording a game-high nine shots in the first matchup with Minnesota, rookie forward Logan Stankoven put together a two-goal performance against the Wild on Sunday.

Stankoven finished with two goals, five shots, and a plus-1 rating in 14:50 of ice time.

Tell me he is not among the favorites for the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year. How could he not be?

Stankoven scored six goals in 24 NHL games last season. He started hot with five goals and eight points in his first six games but hit a bit of a wall after that and into the playoffs.

The Kamloops, British Columbia native was held to three goals in 19 playoff games but came into training camp with more to prove. And he has certainly proven it in the preseason.

Add to that a likely reunion on a line with Mavrik Bourque–the two best players in the AHL last season–and the sky is the limit for the 21-year-old.

Expect some roster moves shortly

It is about that time for some serious roster moves.

The Stars roster sits at 50 players after this game. Tonight against Minnesota was likely the last chance for a bunch of guys to impress before they head back to junior, international, or the American Hockey League.

Dallas is likely to drop its roster into the 30’s on either Monday or Tuesday–they switch from two practice sessions to only one beginning on Friday. They will keep some extra skaters to work into practice, along with the handful of bubble forwards and defensemen at least through the final preseason game.

Expect to see mostly an NHL-ready roster by Thursday.