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Chaput, former Miami University standout Will Weber and first-round draft pick Kerby Rychel were among several Jackets who made their NHL exhibition debuts. Weber was struck by a shot in the right leg early in the second period and skated off the ice with assistance but returned.

“A stinger,” Weber said. “I’m fine.”

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 09.19.2013

717248 Columbus Blue Jackets

Sabres 3, Blue Jackets 1: Split decision for Jackets

By Aaron Portzline

It was only an exhibition game, so there were no side bets placed and no bragging rights earned for the next time the Foligno brothers are together.

But the Blue Jackets’ 3-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres last night at Nationwide Arena was a glimpse at the fun ride that awaits Nick Foligno of the Jackets and his younger brother, Marcus, of the Sabres.

“The thing that’s so cool is we did this a million times as kids growing up in our driveway or the cul de sac,” said Nick, 25. “We always played like we were NHL players going against each other, and now it’s real.”

With the Blue Jackets splitting their team so they could play Buffalo at Nationwide and at Minnesota at the same time, Columbus earned a draw, winning 3-1 over the Wild. Marcus Foligno, 22, won this round between the brothers. He scored two goals — including a sprawling, reaching beauty around Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to give the Sabres the lead to stay late in the second period.

“It’s something special,” Marcus said. “Not too many people have played against their brother in the NHL. We grew up playing the game together, and here it is years later, still going strong.”

The Blue Jackets’ move to the Eastern Conference this season will allow the two brothers to play against each other more frequently. And it doesn’t stop with the brothers. Former NHL All-Star Mike Foligno, their father, is an assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils, who are in the Metropolitan Division with the Blue Jackets.

“I’m really excited for both of them because they’re in great situations,” Mike Foligno said recently. “They’re happy and they’re close, and as a father you can’t ask for much more, right? It’s going to be a lot of fun this season. I just never know who I’m supposed to root for, which makes it tough.”

Mike Foligno spent most of his playing career with the Sabres, and Nick and Marcus were born in Buffalo, N.Y. The brothers have played two regular-season games against each other, during the 2011-12 season.

The Blue Jackets play the Sabres three times and the Devils four times in the regular season.

“The hockey season is a long season, and we’re a really close family,” Nick Foligno said. “So any chance to you get to see each other is welcomed.”

The Folignos don’t look for trouble, but they have never shied away from it, either. Asked if they would ever match the Primeau bothers — Keith (Hartford) and Wayne (Buffalo) fought in 1997 — Nick Foligno brought other family members into the discussion.

“Not a chance,” he said. “Our sisters would kill us.”

The Foligno reunion was one of the few bright spots on the night for the Blue Jackets.

“You’ve got some guys who are pushing and some guys who are cruising,” Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards said. “We have to be more intense, more ready.”

R.J. Umberger scored the Jackets’ only goal early in the second, cleaning up the puck after a Tim Erixon shot from the slot.

The Blue Jackets’ best forward was rookie Boone Jenner.

“He made himself noticeable out on the ice,” Richards said. “He worked. You could tell watching guys skate off the ice from a shift, and he was spent. He was giving it everything he’s got.”

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 09.19.2013

717249 Dallas Stars

Heika: Jamie Benn fires up Stars, fans in preseason shootout victory over Florida

Mike Heika

Staff Writer

mheika@dallasnews.com

Published: 19 September 2013 01:12 AM

Jamie Benn danced up ice like a running back avoiding tacklers.

He spun, high-stepped and twirled, eventually zipping a pass to the front of the net, where Tyler Seguin was waiting late in the second period. Seguin was unable to score, but the Stars clearly gained a charge from Benn’s individual effort.

It was the kind of thing that top players do, that veterans do, that leaders do

In a dull preseason game before a sleepy American Airlines Center crowd against a Florida Panthers team that struggled last season, Jamie Benn woke everyone up. He injected energy, excitement and passion into the game, and the Stars finished things off in a 3-2 shootout victory that makes them 1-0-1 in the preseason.

It was exactly what Dallas has been hoping for from Benn.

Truth be told, the ascension of Benn as the “face of the franchise” has been slow. He is not what you would call a dynamic personality, and he’s had to let his formidable play speak for him in the past. Last season, when the specter of Jaromir Jagr entered the dressing room — and the marketing eye — Benn had to take a step back.

Sure, he led the team in scoring with 33 points, but it was a disappointing 33 points. He was not one of the top players in the NHL. He was not really a leader on the team. He did not will the Stars into the playoffs.

Despite the fact Mike Ribeiro was shipped out, and Benn was given players like Jagr and Ray Whitney to play off of, the magic didn’t happen.

And so you worried for a second.

But that was all it took. When new general manager Jim Nill was hired, one of the first things he said was that Benn would be moved back to his natural position of left wing. Nill followed by adding Seguin, Shawn Horcoff and Rich Peverley to create center depth.

Seguin will be the Stars’ No. 1 center, and he looks very comfortable in that role. Benn will be his winger, and he looks very comfortable in that role. Benn worked hard in the off-season and changed his body. He actually added five pounds, but he looks slimmer. He left his beautiful hometown of Victoria, British Columbia, to get to Frisco’s 100-degree heat a couple of weeks early.

He is openly excited.

And that is a huge deal for the Stars. They have a new look, a new coach (Lindy Ruff), a new way of playing. And yet the plan is still what it was four years ago — build around Benn. He has been the future of this franchise ever since he led Kelowna to the Memorial Cup finals, ever since he led the Stars to the championship of the Traverse City Prospects Tournament, ever since he led the Texas Stars to the Calder Cup finals.

Benn is special. They have seen it before at the lower levels.

That being said, he can’t do it alone. So now he has Seguin, and Valeri Nichushkin and Brenden Dillon and Cody Eakin and Alex Chiasson. He has veterans such as Whitney and Horcoff and Peverley. And he seems to have a much better idea how to use them.

In fact, he has a better idea of his path.

Benn electrified the crowd with his gallop Wednesday. He added a power play goal and almost scored twice in the overtime before powering home the shootout winner.

And it started with a special jaunt that didn’t even result in a goal. Still, it was a move that was both skilled and authoritative, a move that told the Panthers this wasn’t going to be easy, a move that told his teammates that it was certainly doable.

Nill said earlier the team will name a captain before the start of the season. Jamie Benn may have made the decision pretty clear Wednesday.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 09.19.2013

717250 Dallas Stars

Heika: Cody Eakin in mix for No. 2 center spot, but Stars likely to shuffle lines

Staff

SportsDayDFW.com

Updated: 18 September 2013 10:22 PM

Mike Heika held a chat on Wednesday. Here are some highlights.

Blake: What are the chances Trevor Daley or Stephane Robidas gets traded to make room for one of the young D-men?

Mike Heika: If Oleksiak really looks good, the Stars will consider those options. I also think that Alex Goligoski might be in that group of three who could be traded to make room for younger players. If Oleksiak looks like he needs more seasoning, they might just stick with this group.

JW: Do you figure the stars consider any UFAs lingering out on the market (and if so whom), or are they committed to allowing the younger guys to make an impact and develop at the NHL level?

Mike Heika: I don't get that sense. Jim Nill knows Daniel Cleary and Damien Brunner well, and did not have interest in either. I think the Stars defense is set for right now, unless a trade could help them. The Stars are just $2.5 million from the cap, and they like having that wiggle room right now. I do not see them adding any players before the season starts.

Zach: The Benn/Seguin/Cole line looked really good against St. Louis, is that already set as the top line going into the season?

Mike Heika: No, not yet. It looks good, but there still is time to see if someone else would be a better fit.

Cody: Lots of positive talk about Cody Eakin from Ruff so far. Where does he fit depth-wise into the line up? Does he have a chance at 2nd line center? Same question goes for Alex Chiasson who was so impressive in his short time with the team last year.

Mike Heika: I think Ruff likes to juggle, so we'll see. Eakin is definitely in the mix for the No. 2 center spot, but so is Horcoff, and Peverley might be a good option when he is healthy. I think they could shuffle their centers a lot. Chiasson had quick chemistry with Whitney last season, so I think they will try to revisit that at some point. Again, though, this really could change game to game once the regular season starts.

Aaron Schwarz: Mike, Do you think that Oleksiak is more improved to start this season as opposed to his play last season? Do you think he'll play a full 82 here in Dallas or continue to split time between Dallas and Texas?

Mike Heika: The big question right now is what he shows for the remainder of pre-season and how healthy they are at the start of the season. If Rome is out, and they like Oleksiak better than Connauton or Jordie Benn, then Oleksiak will get some games. If he is tremendous, he'll stay in the lineup. My guess is they start him in the AHL, Connauton is in the regular lineup, and we'll see how Rome looks when he is ready to play. I do not see Oleksiak as an 82-game NHL player this season, but I definitely could be wrong (and you will tell me about it if I am).

John: How is the backup goaltending competition shaping up? Does Ellis have it in the bag?

Mike Heika: Yeah, Dan Ellis is the back-up goalie for sure. He has a two-year, one-way contract. He would have to play himself out of that position, and the guess is the Stars will have a lot of patience with him even if he starts slowly.

Sean: We know Jim Nill isn't shy about pulling the trigger on big trades. Do you see him possibly making another significant move this season to improve the team?

Mike Heika: The team still is in the market for a high-end defenseman, so if one is put on the market, the guess is the Stars will make a phone call. They don't have a lot of cap room right now unless they send some money the other way, but Nill showed in the Seguin trade that he is not afraid to make a big deal.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 09.19.2013

717251 Dallas Stars

Heika: Lindy Ruff's system very aggressive on the forecheck and in transition

Staff

SportsDayDFW.com

Updated: 18 September 2013 10:26 PM

Mike Heika held a chat on Wednesday. Here are some highlights.

Celina Stars Fan: So per your story today, where does #10, the former Captain, end up? I got Philly past game #2.

Mike Heika: There are so many options out there. I'll go with Carolina and the Kirk Muller connection, but it's just a guess.

Celina Stars Fan: Final Roster? Locks, probables, just missed?

Mike Heika: Benn-Seguin-Cole, Whitney-Eakin-Nichushkin, Roussel-Horcoff-Chiasson, MacDermid-Fiddler-Garbutt, Goligoski-Gonchar, Dillon-Robidas, Daley-Connauton. Peverley and Rome hurt. Jordie Benn scratched. Possible extra forward: Ritchie, Glennie, Sceviour, McKenzie. That's again just a guess.

Celina Stars Fan: Cole's just keeping it warm for Peverly, right?

Mike Heika: It's a great chance for Cole, and he is a former 30-goal scorer, so he could really have some nice numbers by the end of pre-season. But, in theory, you sure would love Peverley's defensive presence up there with Benn and Seguin.

Sam: How soon do you think we will expect to see Radek Faksa break into the NHL and do you think this is the year Scott Glennie breaks through into the NHL?

Mike Heika: He was just drafted in 2012, so he has some time yet. He'll go back to Kitchener this year, and hopefully have a nice regular season, strong World Juniors, and nice playoff run. Then, he'll go AHL after that and be in the pro mix next season. I still think he needs a full season in AHL.

Kenneth Dalton: Should the stars find a spot for Brenden Morrow?

Mike Heika: No, I don't think he fits here. One, they have enough veteran forwards in Whitney, Horcoff, Cole, Peverley and Fiddler. Two, they need to leave openings for kids like Glenie, Sceviour, Ritchie, McKenize. Three, it's really hard for a captain to come back and not be a captain. He will be better used and probably happier someplace else.

Travis: I use to workout with Lane Macdermid when he played for the Attack, and I'm excited he is part of my favorite team now. With so much competition this year, how many games do you think he'll get?

Mike Heika: The good thing about MacDermid is he appears to be more than just a fighter. With the rule that will prevent fighters from removing their helmets, and just the taste of the league's coaches, I think the amount of fights will decrease. MacDermid is a big guy who can skate a hard shift, go to the net and score the odd goal, so I think he has a chance to be in 40 or 50 games. The one thing to watch is that Luke Gazdic and Curtis McKenzie will be pushing hard from the AHL to fill a similar role, so MacDermid will have to play well when he gets the chance.

Cizko: Stars only played one preseason game so far, but were there any notable differences in Ruff's system compared to Gulutzan's?

Mike Heika: Ruff's system is malleable, but right now the belief is the team will be very aggressive on the forecheck and also in transition. They want to be a puck possession team that spends a lot of time in the offensive end. Gulutzan also wanted that, but his team was more cautious about it. The problem is that an aggressive team often leaves its own end open for counter-attacks (thus, a 6-5 shootout loss in the opener). We'll see how the Stars deal with that. The guess is they will work harder on defense Wednesday night.

Aaron S: Has Oleksiak looked better to you this season? Do you think he'll be an 82 game guy for the stars or will he continue to split time between Dallas and Austin?

Mike Heika: He has looked inconsistent in the small sample I have seen. He's a tremendous talent, and he's still learning. He can obviously skate, so that part looks good. He is not really physical yet, and I wonder if we're hoping for too much in that department. What I am hearing is he's probably going to get 40 games as the No. 1 defenseman in the AHL, and then they'll reassess the blueline at that time.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 09.19.2013

717252 Dallas Stars

Heika: Zero chance first rounder Valeri Nichushkin isn't in opening night lineup

Staff Writer

SportsDayDFW.com

Published: 18 September 2013 10:08 PM

Updated: 18 September 2013 10:26 PM

Mike Heika held a chat on Wednesday. Here are some highlights.

Jordan: What are the odds of Nichushkin making the opening night roster, and also which out of the two young D-Men do you think has the best chance of making the roster? by Jordan 1:53 PM

Mike Heika: In regards to Valeri Nichushkin, I think the chance of him not being in the lineup on opening night is near 0 percent. One, he has looked really good. Two, Rich Peverley is likely out the first two or three games with an irregular heartbeat, so there is a clear opening for Nichushkin. Three, the option for him not playing in Dallas is playing in the KHL. The Stars are doing everything they can to make Nichushkin a happy, productive player here, and it seems to be working so far. As for the d-men, I think Kevin Connauton has a leg up among the youngsters right now. Aaron Rome (hip) probably won't be ready to start the regular season, so I think Connauton will probably be in the lineup that night. Oleksiak has an outside chance of sticking around if he can be in the lineup every night. I think Jordie Benn is mostly depth help at this time.

Michael Powell: When do you expect Coach Ruff and GM Nill to name a new captain for the Stars? And whom would you say besides Jamie Benn has a real shot (dark-horse I suppose) at being the next Captain of the Dallas Stars? Im looking forward to it and I do think it should be Jamie Benn! Whats your thoughts?

Mike Heika: At some point before the regular season starts, I believe Jamie Benn will be named captain of the team. I don't think anyone else is really close right now. I think he's ready for it. He's really put a lot of work in this summer, and he's working from a strong base of respect among his teammates.

Carl Aydelotte: Many of the so called experts are picking Dallas to finish as the 9th seed in the West, once again missing the playoffs. With all the moves made, and with the good vibes around the team I personally think we will finish higher. Where do you see Dallas finishing in the conference?

Mike Heika: I've gone back and forth on this. I do think the good teams in the West will still be good. Chicago, Vancouver, Los Angeles and San Jose all seem like solid playoff teams. Minnesota, St. Louis, Anaheim and Phoenix should be in the mix. That puts the Stars squarely in the 7-8-9 spot again. After watching them the past week or so, I'm optimistic. I think they can challenge Minnesota, Anaheim, St. Louis and Phoenix for fifth or sixth in the West. I will officially pick them sixth right now. How is that for breaking news?

Cizko: Hi Mike, since Stars are very different team this time around, what are the expectations of management and players like? Do they aim for the playoffs, or even higher?

Mike Heika: In doing this for a few years, the players always believe. I think these guys are very much on board with the changes, and they believe they will win. That was the same with the group last year and the year before. The resolution only comes later when they are officially eliminated.

Zach: Wondering about a couple guys we haven't heard much about this offseason -- Colton Sceviour and Cameron Gaunce.

Mike Heika: I like Sceviour a lot, and it seems he would finally get a shot at the NHL this season. But they passed him by last season when chances came up, and he now has to battle new faces like MacDermid, Ritchie and McKenzie. He might just be caught in a numbers game. Gaunce, I believe, has a chance to be one of the defensive defensemen left standing when this team finally decides to go with a full group of 20-somethings on the blueline. But he also has some sturdy competition in Oleksiak, Dillon and Nemeth. I guess the lesson is it's really difficult to become a regular in the NHL.

Jason H: Has Ruff indicated how he likes to use his lines? Such as Crow rode his top lines so much.

Mike Heika: Ruff's history is more balanced, but he also likes to win. If the Benn-Seguin line is hot, the guess is it will get plenty of ice time. However, Ruff's history is to spread the minutes throughout the team. Jim Nill is also a fan of balance and depth.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 09.19.2013

717253 Dallas Stars

Stars expected to go with pretty full lineup in Wednesday's preseason game against Florida

MIKE HEIKA

Staff Writer

Published: 18 September 2013 11:36 AM

Updated: 18 September 2013 05:07 PM

In looking at the lines the Stars are expected to throw out Wednesday against Florida in pre-season Game No. 2 at American Airlines Center, you get the feeling they are close to what fans will see on opening night against these same Panthers.

Mark Stepneski from Dallas Stars Inside Edge reported on Twitter that they're going with this group:

Jamie Benn-Tyler Seguin-Erik Cole

Ray Whitney-Cody Eakin-Valeri Nichushkin

Ryan Garbutt-Scott Glennie-Alex Chiasson

Lane MacDermid-Vernon Fiddler-Brett Ritchie

Trevor Daley-Sergei Gonchar

Brenden Dillon-Stephane Robidas

Jordie Ben-Jamie Oleksiak

Kari Lehtonen (starter)

Cristopher Nilstorp (Back-up)

With Rich Peverley (irregular heartbeat) and Aaron Rome (hip surgery) injured and expected to miss the season opener, the only players who might be in the lineup then that aren't playing tonight are: center Shawn Horcoff, winger Antoine Roussel, defenseman Alex Goligoski and defenseman Kevin Connauton.

Stars coach Lindy Ruff said this was just a chance to see the veterans, and not so much anything to do with Florida, who the Stars will meet Friday in San Antonio.

"It will be a mix. Probably Friday we'll go back to a younger lineup again in San Antonio," Ruff said. "Tonight, from the backend standpoint, it's pretty good. Up front, there are some things we want to look at, so there are a couple of real good lines."

Everyone is excited about seeing the top line after it scored twice on the power play Sunday. They also want to see Nichushkin, who had two goals in the opener. The fact Nichushkin is playing with Ray Whitney (a play-making winger who loves forwards that go hard to the net) could be an experiment for the regular season, as well.

There's a real opening for a young forward to fill Peverley's spot until he is ready, and Ritchie and Glennie have to be the leading candidates to win that battle. Matej Stransky has been just so-so in camp, so if the Stars are hoping for a little more skill on the third or fourth line, Glennie and Ritchie could provide it.

The d-pairs also are interesting. Veteran Sergei Gonchar is playing for the first time, and many believe he could be the top-minute man on the team. Finding him the right partner will be crucial, and Daley is definitely in the mix. It's worth noting that Daley has played most of his career on the right side and will play on the left side with Gonchar

Dillon and Robidas was probably the most consistent defensive pairing last season, so it should be fun to see if that chemistry still is there. They got split up near the end of last season, and it seemed to hurt both of them.

Kari Lehtonen will go in goal, and play 30 minutes. Ruff said it will be the only time Lehtonen splits a start in pre-season.

"You get game reads and game confusion, and things are going to happen a lot quicker, and we're just trying to get him comfortable," Ruff said. "I want to get him some really good ice time down the stretch, so this will be the last time he'll play half a game. The rest of the games (he starts), he'll play full games. Same with (Dan) Ellis."

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 09.19.2013

717254 Dallas Stars

Chiasson, Benn lead Stars past Panthers in shootout

Posted Wednesday, Sep. 18, 2013

From online and wire reports

DALLAS — Alex Chiasson and Jamie Benn scored shootout goals to give the Dallas Stars a 3-2 preseason victory over the Florida Panthers on Wednesday.

Dallas backup goalie Christopher Nilstrop stopped both Panthers attempts in the shootout. Chiasson and Benn both had beaten Florida’s Jacob Markstrom.

Dallas scored twice in the second period and Florida tied it with two goals in the third.