It's an interesting theory, and one that gets lost at times. As much as we look at the performance of the team or the key plays in a game, we sometimes forget the "vibe" that surges through the dressing room. But in this complicated quilt of Victory Green, there are some very diverse threads.
Look at Wedgewood. The 30-year-old from Brampton, Ontario has bounced around a lot since getting drafted by the Devils in the third round in 2010. He played parts of eight seasons in the AHL, mixing in games with the Devils and Coyotes over that time. Last season, he landed with the Stars and earned his first one-way contract - a sign of what he means to Dallas as a backup to Jake Oettinger.
That built confidence in his mind and made him a part of a pretty interesting group.
"Everything has kind of come full circle and wrapped itself in a nice little bow for me," he said. "Obviously, going to keep working to keep that, as nice as it is."
He's not alone. Ty Dellandrea has had some ups and downs in his career, and he had to deal with some disappointment when he spent last season in the AHL. However, he has made the lineup out of camp, is playing on a line with Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment, and on Thursday, led all Stars forwards in time on ice at 18:57. It was a real key moment for the 22-year-old who was drafted 13th overall in 2018.
"Sometimes you forget just how young he is," said Seguin. "He plays older than he is, and he's not intimidated by much out there at all."
Marchment's story has been well documented, as the 27-year-old had a breakout season with Florida and then signed a four-year free agent contract with Dallas. He's taking an important step in his career and life.
Colin Miller is having a bounce-back season after injuries sidelined his season in Buffalo. Nils Lundkvist is getting a chance to play bigger minutes after he requested a trade away from the New York Rangers.
And Wyatt Johnston is a 19-year-old who is trying to stay on an NHL roster.
"I don't know if it will feel real to me," he said Thursday before playing his childhood heroes the Toronto Maple Leafs. "A lot of this doesn't really feel real to me. It's pretty crazy."
And yet, he's not alone. He's getting support from people like Dellandrea and Marchment and Wedgewood. Mix in the fact that the coaching staff of Pete DeBoer, Steve Spott and Alain Nasreddine are all interacting with these players, and there is a feeling of bonding that's taking place every day.
The team got off to a 3-0-1 start, but they will play 11 of the first 17 games on the road, and they have things to work on, like reducing the eight penalties they took Thursday in a 3-2 overtime loss. But when players keep taking personal steps forward - like Wedgewood's 40 saves against the Leafs - then that adds to the positive team vibes.
"Guys have come to work," DeBoer said. "They have embraced some of the new things we've thrown at them. They've executed, and they're enjoying coming to the rink. Winning is a lot more fun than losing."
It's a theory the Stars would like to continue to explore.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.
