What should the Stars do with Fabian Brunnstrom?

One of the last big roster choices before the Stars revel the final roster for the season opener against Nashville on Saturday is what to do with Fabian Brunnstrom. The rookie who became a late bloomer in his career who went undrafted and spent the first few seasons of his pro career in his native Sweden certainly had great looks last year on offense by scoring 17 goals in 55 games last season. However, his defense has been suspect during his pro career and this could be the reason why the Stars could send him down to Austin to play for the Texas Stars this season.



In the NHL, once a player has released 60 games played in his career, he has clear waivers to send down to the minors, and with Jamie Benn clearly passing him by in both offense and defense during training camp and preseason this year.



Also, last year with the WHL's Kelowna Rockets, he scored an impressive 46 goals in just 56 games during the W.H.L. regular season, his game started to get much better over the course of last season.



Then during the playoffs, he led the entire league during the playoffs with 33 points (13 G, 20 A) by playing a huge part on both ends of the ice to help them win the W.H.L. Championship and making the final of the C.H.L. Memorial Cup. Included in the Memorial Cup Tournament was a 4 goal game against the Q.M.J.H.L. Champion Drummondville Voltigeurs during the round robin portion of the tournament.



With Jamie Benn and Fabian Brunnstrom both playing on the Left Wing, this will be a tough decision for fans, but for the Dallas Stars this should be an easy decision, because to make and succeed in the NHL, you need to play well on both sides of the ice consistently. This is something that Jamie Benn delivers while Fabian Brunnstrom is great some nights and struggles other nights on the defensive side of the puck.



Fabian Brunnstrom can use this time in the A.H.L. to work on his defense without being criticised and heckled as much from the media during the season, he should be one of the first choices to call up should major injuries or suspensions affect the team at any point during the season. I'm sorry Brunnstrom, but Benn is a much better player at all over the ice.



Jamie Benn might have been taken as a Junior A player for the British Colombia Hockey League (BCHL) Victoria Grizzlies at one point, but his upside a lot better then Brunnstrom and his confidence on the rink is a lot better to play for the Dallas Stars while Brunnstrom while start the season in Austin.



Here's more on the story: From WFAA: www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/wfaa/stories/092909dnspostarslede.3def159.html



Area Player Watch



Here's an early season update on the players from the D/FW and how they doing.



Collin Jacobs: For the Seattle Thunderbirds, the team has been off to a slow start this season as the Thunderbirds are currently in last place in the W.H.L.'s Western Conference with a record of just 1-4-0 and have scored just 8 goals so far. For Jacobs, he's currently leading the team in scoring with 4 points (2G 2A) as he both goals during the opening weekend against the Everett Silvertips and the Vancouver Giants.



Unfortunately, the team defense isn't going over too well as no one has a positive +/- ranking right now. He may be among the team leaders in scoring for the T-Birds this season, but if the defense doesn't turn around, it may be a long season for the Thunderbirds this season.



Upcoming Seattle Thunderbirds Games



10/2: VS. Tri-City Americans



10/10: @ Spokane Chiefs



10/11: VS. Tri-City Americans



10/13: VS. Prince Albert Raiders



10/16: @ Everett Silvertips



Nick Lazorko: The Winkler Flyers had some big expectations when the season starting, but the Flyers have been off to a slow start this season at just 2-5-0 and is currently in 5th Place in the Addison Division. Lazorko has been off to a good start as he is tied for the team lead for scoring with 7 points (3G 4A) in the 7 games so far with goals in 3 different games.



If Winkler is going to turn this slow start around, they will need to improve their defense which includes games recently where they gave up 8 goals in a recent game against the Swan Valley Stampders where they lost 8-3.



It's starting to look like the 2 Winnipeg teams will be the teams to beat in the MJHL's Addison Division this season as the Winnipeg Saints and the Winnipeg South Blues are off to great starts this season.



Upcoming Winkler Flyers Games



9/29: VS. Winnipeg Saints



10/2: VS. Portage Terriers



10/4: VS. Winnipeg South Blues



10/6: @ Winnipeg South Blues



10/9: @ Dauphin Kings (MJHL Showcase)