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Star Gazing: 2/28/12

February 28, 2012, 7:59 AM ET [3 Comments]
Bill Meltzer
Dallas Stars Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Several hours after yesterday's NHL trade deadline came and went without the Stars making a move, Dallas defenseman posted a message on Twitter directed at veteran forward Steve Ott: "So excited to practice with you tomorrow!"

With the Stars in the driver's seat to control their own playoff fate the rest of the season Ott -- who had been the subject of a host of trade rumors -- was simply too valuable to his current team to trade away for anything less than an outright overpayment. Removing Ott from the locker room and the ice, would have been damaging to the scrappy, tight-knit chemistry that the underdog team has built.

The club reportedly received offers not only for Ott but for center Mike Ribeiro, defenseman Sheldon Souray (an impending unrestricted free agent) and forward Adam Burish (also an impending UFA). But general manager Joe Nieuwendyk has elected to keep his team's veteran leadership group intact.

With a vote of confidence from management that the current team is good enough to get to the playoffs this year, the onus now falls on Glen Gulutzan and his players to reward that faith by getting the job done. To help matters, the team figures to get at least one key injured player back in the lineup this week.

Jamie Benn, who has been sidelined for six games as a result of a deep skate cut on his leg, is expected to fully participate in practice today and is likely to be on the ice tomorrow night when the Stars play the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Team captain Brenden Morrow, sidelined for 13 games due a problem affecting his neck, shoulders and upper back, will remain on injured reserve for now but will begin skating later this week.

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