DeBoer is bringing in a more aggressive style than what the players have been used to, and the three days were important in getting both language and habits in order. It is a process that will take weeks and months to really get natural, but getting off on the right foot was important.
"It's been great," said veteran defenseman Ryan Suter. "The coaching staff has been great. Very informative telling us what they want, what they expect. As a player, that's what you want."
While the Stars have changed out a few faces -- bidding adieu to Alexander Radulov, Michael Raffl, John Klingberg and Vladislav Namestnikov -- but the core of the team remaings a lot the same. The top forward are still here in Roope Hintz, Joe Pavelski, Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Radek Faksa. Leading goal scorer Jason Robertson has not been signed, but that could get done at some point before the regular season opener. That means both Saturday's scrimmage and three exhibition games in four days will be important in evaluating who plays where.
"It's a little early to read too much into that," DeBoer said. "Until we get into our group, which will be probably in the next seven to 10 days, that's when we will see that."
If you were looking for tidbits, there were a few.
All of the said, the coaching staff was more interested in the assimilation of the entire group, and moving forward in every aspect of play. It is a challenge to adapt players to a style of hockey that is more aggressive and faster, and also to try to get them to bond as a team.
"I was more watching the things we were trying to implement, and I think we got some of that," DeBoer said when asked about chemistry and individual performances. "I think our D were involved on breakouts, there was some really good puck movement support out there."
So, for the first few days, things look to be in order. But there still is much to accomplish.
"For the end of the camp, considering they're all teammates, I thought the guys all played hard," DeBoer said. "You could see guys who tried to make an impression and separate themselves, so it was a lot of good stuff the past three days."
