Stars-Blues takeaways: Dickinson flashes offensive potential

ST. LOUIS --Jason Dickinson was talking about how much offensive potential Roope Hintz showed at the end of last season when it was suggested that he too revealed a glimpse of upside that could be seen as encouraging.
"Roope, if he puts together a whole year that was like his second half, he'll have great numbers," Dickinson said. "Myself? I think by the end of the season I had more confidence to take pucks to the net and I was more effective offensively than I was earlier. So yes, I think if I start the way I finished, I'll definitely bring more production."

On Tuesday, Dickinson flashed that potential once again.
In a 2-1 preseason win against the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues, Dickinson had a goal and was one of the most noticeable players on the ice, throwing his body around and creating both defensive chaos and offensive scoring chances.

"He played great," said Stars coach Jim Montgomery. "Skill, great execution."
Dickinson finished off a shorthanded scoring chance with a beautify backhand, and then showed off his hustle with several great penalty kills. He said that he embraced Montgomery's urges for more urgency from his team.
"We had a few good days where Monty really preached compete and raising our level for the season, and I just kind of took that to heart. It's not something I take lightly," Dickinson said.

Dickinson said he believes that the entire team can take a huge step forward in the final two preseason games.
"I think if everybody can raise their level every game every practice, it's just going to help us that much more," he said.
And as for Hintz, he too is playing well. He centered Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov on Tuesday and continues to show he can be a great top six option for the Stars.
"We've been really happy with Roope," Montgomery said. "His practices have been good, and his games have been really good. He's a player who seems to be ready to attack the season."

Oleksiak getting more comfortable

Jamie Oleksiak should be pretty comfortable with the Stars organization. He was drafted 14th overall by Dallas in 2011 and has spent most of his career with the Stars.
But Oleksiak was traded away to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017 and then was traded back last season, so this training camp does feel a little diferent.
"It's been good, it feels good," Oleksiak said.
The 26-year-old defenseman said the process of learning with the Stars and the Penguins has given him a sense of calm that he can handle anything. He had to battle for a job among eight defensemen in his first stint in Dallas, and that meant there were healthy scratches a lot of practice time.
He said that all builds a player up.
"I think it comes with the job, you have to learn coming up," he said. "I think every day you have to learn something new. I think I'm a better defenseman than I was. I just want to find a way to contribute. I'm trying to tweak a bunch of little things."
As for his time with the Penguins, he said he was able to soak up a lot of the culture that has won two recent Stanley Cups.
"The biggest thing in Pittsburgh is they have obviously had a lot of success," Oleksiak said. "I think it's how they approach every day, and that's something I picked up on. I was fortunate to be a regular there and kind of get in tempo with things there."
Oleksiak missed the end of the playoffs last year with a knee injury, but has looked good in training camp so far.
"I think he's moving well, he's playing with purpose, he's asserting himself out there in separating bodies from the puck which is allowing us to get out of our end quickly," Montgomery said. "I really like Sekera tonight, too."
Oleksiak and Sekera played together Tuesday, and there's a good chance Sekera plays with Miro Heiskanen during the regular season. John Klingberg played with Thomas Harley and will likely play with Esa Lindell during the regular season. Lindell played with Roman Polak Tuesday.
"It's always important to see who works well with who," Montgomery said.

Bow stellar again to help beat Blues

Landon Bow continues to excel at the NHL level. The 24-year-old goalie played in two games last season as a call-up and allowed one goal. In three preseason games, he has stopped 48 of 49 shots.
Bow spent the summer in Dallas, working with Ben Bishop, goalie coach Jeff Reese and strength and conditioning coach Brad Jellis. He said he feels fantastic and prepared.
"I think it was huge for my development this year," Bow said. "I just felt really good right now."
Bow will likely go to the AHL's Texas Stars soon and start his battle with Jake Oettinger for playing time. While both will be working and sharing the ice, there will be a competition to see who gets called up to the NHL if there is an injury.
"It's always a competition," Bow said. "Everybody wants to play, you always want those minutes. It's going to be a good back and forth. I think we're going to push each other and make sure we're going to be the best we can be."
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.