Superb start: Five observations from Day 1 of Stars training camp

BOISE, Idaho --Beginnings are usually fun.
There's so much energy, so much optimism, so much belief.
That's the way it was on the ice at CenturyLink Arena on Friday. New head coach Jim Montgomery led a group of 60 players through various drills in three sessions while good vibes spilled all over the ice.

BUYING IN: [Players embrace Jim Montgomery's style on Day 1 of training camp | Complete coverage from Boise, Idaho]
It was so easy to talk yourself into this team being good. Never mind the fact they've missed the playoffs for two years straight. Never mind you had the same positive feeling last training camp and had the rug pulled out. With Tyler Seguin signing an eight-year contract extension and dreams of "comeback" seasons for Jason Spezza and Valeri Nichushkin (although in much different terms), the Stars can stride into the new season and finally reach their potential, you thought.
Well, at least for a day anyway.
The NHL has a way of bringing reality crashing down on your Victory Green hat, so you're probably a little stingy with your optimism these days. Heck, you might even have some well-founded doubts that deserve serious inspection.
But on the first day of training camp, let's look at five things that just might make the Stars better:

1. Anton Khudobin is a whimsical wag

One of the most important decisions the front office made this summer was who would be the back-up goalie. With Kari Lehtonen's contract expiring and the big Finn not being able to step up late last season, the need for goaltending support seemed obvious.
The Stars chose Khudobin, a well-traveled journeyman who split his young training between Kazakhstan and Russia and has played 147 games for four NHL teams. He is coming off a solid year in Boston in which he went 16-6-7 and signed a two year deal with Dallas that averages $2.5 million. The ultimate test will be whether Khudobin can pick up wins at tough times during the season, but his day with the media has already proved he can pick up his teammates.
Khudobin wore a Vladimir Putin T-shirt into his press conference and answered questions about why he got the character "Dobby" from the Harry Potter movies painted on his mask.
"I haven't watched Harry Potter, that has to be clear," Khudobin said. "I think it's a great movie for kids, but to be honest I never had interest. I don't know why, maybe it's something like from the other world, like magic or myths, I don't like that."
Still, he was given the nickname "Dobby" when he was young and it seems to fit, so why not. That seems to be Khudobin's philosophy on a lot of subjects. Asked about his potential usage, Kudobin said he is ready for anything.
"If coach decides to put me in 10 games in a row, then great," Khudobin said. "If not, I have to be ready for whatever his decision will be."
And whether he is playing or not, Khudobin will be there to lighten the mood for his teammates. That might make him even more important as a back-up goalie.

2. Miro Heiskanen might be the real deal

Everyone has high hopes for Miro Heiskanen, the 19-year-old defenseman who is expected to make the Stars opening night roster. The third overall pick in 2017, Heiskanen had a banner season last year in Finland and also was a standout at the Traverse City rookie tournament.
So how did that first day on the ice go?
"When you talk about smart hockey players, his ability to do our forecheck, especially our neutral-zone forecheck, it was seamless for him," Montgomery said. "His pressure points were exactly where they should be. When he was patient, it was the right call. I'm excited to work more and more with him."
Heiskanen was partnered with Stephen Johns on Day 1. The big right-hander is a good fit with the rookie for a lot of reasons. One, Johns is big and can defend. Two, Johns can skate and keep up with Heiskanen's creative play. Three, Johns now has the experience of playing 150 NHL games.
"That looks pretty good as a combo," Montgomery said. "The experience that Johns has, his mobility … the two of them are going to eat up a lot of ice."
Montgomery's style is going to be one where he asks players to be aggressive and attack, but to make sure they first have possession of the puck. He wants smart reads, and that seems to fit Heiskanen's game perfectly.
"He wants to play with the puck a lot. It's real nice for me," Heiskanen said.
He added that he knows he has a lot to learn.
"It felt good, but it was just first practice," he said. "I'm just trying to play my game and don't be too much in a hurry."
Whatever he did, he impressed Johns on the first day.
"He's a silkier skater than I've ever seen," Johns said. "I think the sky's the limit for him."

3. The fourth line should be a breeding ground for depth scoring

Montgomery decided to jump right in with lines that might potentially work for the Stars this season. He ran out Tyler Seguin with Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov, as well as Jason Spezza with Mattias Janmark and Blake Comeau and a third line of Radek Faksa with Tyler Pitlick and Valeri Nichushkin. That left a fourth line with Jason Dickinson centering Devin Shore and Brett Ritchie.
Montgomery could change things up, but he said that he likes linemates to build chemistry whenever they can.
"I think when you've seen success in the past, you try and keep it together because there's chemistry there," Montgomery said. "When you go over the boards, and you know who you're going over the boards with and you like it, it adds energy to how you're going out there and playing. As much as possible, if we see success, we're going to leave it together."
Which is an interesting sign for the fourth line. Both Shore and Ritchie are coming off of disappointing seasons, and Dickinson has only played 38 NHL games. So having that trio in a battle with the likes of Gemel Smith, Remi Elie and Roope Hintz to get a regular spot in the lineup could be a motivating situation for all involved.
"That's what we want," Montgomery said. "We want players making decisions tough on us. That group was really good."
Dickinson and Shore have played center for most of their careers (so have Smith and Hintz), and that could also be a positive to watch for the team going forward.
"Me and Shoresy are out there working a line together, so it doesn't make a difference to us, we'll make it work," Dickinson said. "I think it's good that we have these guys who can play all sorts of positions, because you can find all ways to slot together."
Dickinson said he has struggled moving to wing in the past, but after a long playoff run on the wing in the AHL, he feels confident.
"I've always been a center and that was natural to me. I was able to play the wing, but I wasn't able to do it well," he said. "But it makes me feel better now that I've been through it in the playoffs in the AHL and I did a good job at it. I don't have to worry if I see my name on the left wing now, I'm not fazed by it."

4. Martin Hanzal is working hard -- and is the team's only injury right now

Martin Hanzal had spinal fusion surgery in the spring and is not expected to be available to play until late November or early December. However, he was out on the ice after practice working with new organizational coach Vernon Fiddler on skating and strength drills, at one point pushing the net around the ice as part of his recovery.
"He's been limited to how much twisting he can do, which is just precautionary," Montgomery said. "He feels great, which is a good sign."
The fact he is the only player battling an injury is a great sign.
While these things can change in an instant, the Stars saw in 2016-17 just how quickly injuries can deteriorate the heart of a team. Tyler Seguin suffered a heel injury at the World Cup of Hockey and things went downhill from there with Cody Eakin and Devin Shore getting hurt early in training camp.
With Dallas playing seven of the first nine games at home, Montgomery said it is key to get off to a fast start.
"I don't think I could have picked a better schedule to start my first season," Montgomery said. "Being at home, having those three days of practice between those home games it's going to be instrumental to us getting off to a good start."
Having a healthy lineup would be also be nice.

5. Players are excited about a new coach and hungry to win

It's cliché to say you're hungry to win, because everyone is.
It's cliché to say you're excited about a new coach, because what else are you going to say.
But there is a feeling with the Stars that right now is the time to win. The veterans who have been here for a while are frustrated. The newcomers who have just arrived believe they have found a place where they can succeed. The Stars in 2015 came in with a similar attitude, got off to a great start, and won the Central Division. You can sense that kind of hunger right now.
"I think we've got to stop wasting the good talent that we have here and take advantage of it, because 10 years later, it goes by fast," said captain Jamie Benn. "You've got to take advantage of the good teams that you have, and we have a good team here."
After adding Alexander Radulov, Ben Bishop, Tyler Pitlick and Martin Hanzal last season, the Stars will add Miro Heiskanen, Valeri Nichushkin, Anton Khudobin and Roman Polak this year. Mix in Montgomery with assistant coaches Todd Nelson and Rick Bowness, and there is a lot that has changed.
Can that take the Stars from a non-playoff team to one that can contend? Now is certainly the time to vote in the positive on that debate.
"The thing that keeps coming back is that they're hungry," Montgomery said. "There's fire in their belly and they want to accomplish really good things. They want to be in the playoffs and not only make the playoffs, but have success. … It's exciting that they're hungry and that they're excited for a new plan."
And that's what training camp is all about.
Photo credit: Tim Broussard and Sean Berry
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.