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Dallas has called Aaron Gagnon up from the AHL but I don’t think Ott will be missed too much for now since, in four games, he just picked up one assist.  Still, the potential is there since he enjoyed a career year in 2008-2009 (despite how bad things were for the team) and reached personal bests with 19 goals, 27 assists and 46 points.

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NHL.com is reporting that, after six seasons behind Dallas’ bench, head coach, Dave Tippett has been relieved of his duties despite the fact that he has an impressive 271-156-28-37 record.  It had to be expected, however, that major changes would be on their way when Joe Nieuwendyk took over as the team’s general manager.

I know that things went off the rails for the Stars last season so I’m not overly surprised but a lot of it was not the fault of Dave Tippett.  They were plagued by the Sean Avery controversy and a host of injuries, leaving them with captain, Brendan Morrow, and Sergei Zubov for most of the season.  It’s hard to get things done when two of your most important players are out of the lineup.  Then, just when it seemed that things couldn’t get any worse, Brad Richards, got sidelined with hand and wrist injuries that prevented him from helping the team make a push for the playoffs.  It was just an overall bad year.  It was the first time in Tippett’s six years with the team that they didn’t make it to the postseason.

Of course, the rumors about a replacement have started.  The Los Angeles Kings have reportedly given the Stars permission to talk to coach, Marc Crawford.  He’s still under contract with LA and I wish he would just stay there.  I’m not sure how he would fit in with Dallas’ roster.

**UPDATE** NHL.com is now reporting that the Stars have, in fact, hired Marc Crawford.

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I saw Daniel Sedin take a high stick to the mouth.  He tried to keep playing but he was bleeding so much.  Over on the bench, he spat out a good amount of blood (and a tooth) and then returned to the ice and scored the go-head goal in a tied game.  Outrageous.  Sedin ended up needing multiple stitches to close the wound.  “I got hit by the high stick,” he said. “But it was nice to score on the power play. We got the lead and that was huge.”

Ryan Kesler also had a big night.  Not only did he score two goals but he got clipped in the back of the head with a skate during the second period and left the game.  He did return, though.  Henrik Sedin rounded up the scoring with two goals, powering the Canucks to a 5-2 victory over the Stars.

Roberto Luongo stopped 35 shots to help the Canucks snap a four-game road losing streak.  “It was a gritty game and we found a way to get goals,” Luongo said. “Sometimes, you’re not going to get a picture-perfect goal, but you find a way to win.”

Still, Marty Turco made the save of the night by narrowly keeping the puck out of the net, stopping it right on the line. Watch the highlights:

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The shocking injury came during the third period of a 5-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.  “That’s not good news,” Dallas coach Dave Tippett said. “You just have to get back at it and find a way to get points.”  Honestly, it’s starting to look like Dallas just can’t catch a break this season.

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Dallas Stars

It’s been a tough year for Morrison who has only 10 goals and 12 assists in 62 appearances.  The 33-year old signed a one-year deal with the Ducks over the summer.

"Brendan Morrison is a skilled veteran who brings valuable experience and character to our team for this playoff push," Stars co-general manager Les Jackson said in a statement. "He is a strong competitor who we are excited to add to our group."

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All I know at this point is that Steve Ott has been suspended indefinitely without pay by the NHL since he got a match penalty after the fight.  I have heard rumors that the refs claim to have seen Ott trying to gouge out Moen’s eye.  This is crazy.

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I guess I can see how this could benefit both teams, particularly the Stars.  They can really benefit from Begin’s energy even though this isn’t his beat season – he’s got 6 goals and 4 assists in 42 games. 

It’s interesting that this is the second west coast/east coast swap in the past day or so.  The trade watch continues…

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The Dallas Stars have placed Richards, who has 16 goals and 32 assists in 55 games, on the injured reserve. 

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I wasn’t surprised to hear co-GM, Brett Hull, weighing in on this.  He’s been vocal about Avery in the past.  Today, Hull said: “Sean needs to focus on his own well-being while the Stars hockey team must focus on playing hockey and competing for a playoff spot.  Everyone understands that Sean will not return to the Dallas Stars. We all need to move forward.”  He added that the goal is to allow Sean to “focus on resolving his personal issues” while the Dallas Stars can have “closure on this episode. The team needs to put its energies into winning.”  Therefore, the team will honor Avery’s contract while he seeks treatment.

There’s a long list of grievances when it comes to Avery’s past behavior.  Just to name a few things, he’s made racial comments against minorities and French Canadiens in the league, he’s gotten into fights with commentators and coaches, his weird hand-waving tactics in front of Martin Brodeur (New Jersey Devils) during the playoffs led to a rule change and he has criticized players like Jarome Iginla (captain, Calgary Flames) of not being “exciting enough.” 

Of course, the incident that finally caught up with him was when he referred to his old girlfriend, Elisha Cuthbert (who is currently dating Flames d-man, Dion Phaneuf) as “sloppy seconds.”

I think this is good for the Stars who have been really struggling this season (they are currently 27th in the league).  Hopefully, this will be a turning point for them because it’s just sad to see them doing so badly…

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Dallas Stars GM, Brett Hull, had mentioned that maybe Avery could use “medical help” so I wonder if he had anything to do with the request that Avery undergo a professional anger-management evaluation.  If necessary, he may have to begin attending structured counseling sessions to address, what the league feels, is “unacceptable and antisocial” behavior.  Here’s what NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman, had to say about the situation:

“Mr. Avery has expressed remorse for his recent comments and has sought a professional anger management evaluation.  I will require that he follow through with that process as a condition of his returning to the ice and that he complies with any and all recommendations.

Mr. Avery has been warned repeatedly about his conduct and comments, which have too often been at odds with the manner in which his more than 700 fellow players conduct themselves.  Playing in the National Hockey League is a privilege, requiring a high standard of personal behavior. Mr. Avery forfeits that privilege for six games.”

I wonder what will happen with the Stars.  They have eluded to the fact that they may not want Avery back.  Do you think he will dress for the December 16th game against the Phoenix Coyotes?

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