Stars Seek More Points From the Point and Points East

Going into last weekend, Dave Tippett was hoping the return of Brad Richards could help jump-start the Stars’ ailing power play with Richards playing out on the point opposite Stephane Robidas on the first unit. Oops.

At this morning’s practice in Frisco, Tippett had Brendan Morrison playing with Robidas on power play units that featured the Ribeiro and Modano lines up front. (Modano with James Neal and Jere Lehtinen).

Morrison played the point on Vancouver’s power play unit for years, though not recently before his trade to Dallas. He said he has played it in one game since coming to the Stars.

“It’s not unfamiliar,” Morrison said. “Our power play is not clicking the way we need it right now. At this point in the year, you need special teams to win games, and it’s not.”

Tippett said he might try Morrison-Robidas in Tuesday night’s home game against Vancouver, the first of three at AAC this week.

“We’ll continue to tinker around,” Tippett said. “He’s got some experience back there. We’ve had Modano there a little bit. Had Ribeiro there a little bit.”

Tippett and Morrison both used the phrase “not bad” in describing this morning’s drill. Robidas gave it a higher mark. “Pretty good,” he said. “He’s a good skill player. He’s a smart guy. He can play it all.”

This morning’s practice also marked the return of 22-year-old center Tom Wandell, done with another year in his native Sweden. Wandell played with the extra forwards this morning, but Tippett appeared eager to see some of Wandell in game action soon: “He’s a centerman; obviously, we have some banged up people at that position. From all indications of everyone that’s seen him this year, he was a very good player over there.”

In Sweden’s elite league. he recorded 15 goals and 26 assists in 51 games. He played in 2007-08 in the AHL before the Stars lost their affiliate, so he’s familiar with the North American game. He appeared in a four-game cameo for the Stars in December.

Said Tippett: “He played with Brunnstorm [this morning]; maybe they can be a little Swedish mix and maybe give us something.”

Wandell said he’s at the ready: “I feel very ready this time. I know what to expect. I’m excited to be here.”

Brenden Morrow got in a skate for the first time, a small step in his long-awaited return.