Lundkvist steps up, takes on former team

Nils Lundkvist said he didn't want to expand too much on his departure from the New York Rangers this summer, but he did place a trade request, and that resulted in him being moved to the Stars just before training camp started.
With the Rangers in town Saturday, it seemed like the perfect time to ask what happened.

"It was a special situation this summer, and I'm happy with how everything ended," Lundkvist said.
Lundkvist allowed his agent to make the request and let the Rangers work out the deal, but he does believe he is in a place where he can have more success now.
"I tried to stay away from it," he said. "I'm happy to be here now. I'm happy for my time in New York, too. I have very much respect for that organization."

He added, "I'm happy that they drafted me, believe in me and let me do my debut and play in the NHL," Lundkvist said. "I learned a lot from last year, but now I'm very happy to be here.
Lundkvist has four assists in eight games for the Stars already. He had four points in 25 games as a rookie with the Rangers last season. He is averaging 17:50 in time on ice for Dallas, where he averaged 13:56 for the Rangers.
Lundkvist is getting a chance to step up with Miro Heiskanen out of the lineup with an upper body injury. The 22-year-old was little known when he got here, but coach Pete DeBoer has been impressed by Lundkvist.

"The kid has been unflappable since we got him," DeBoer said. "Offensively, you see the gifts, but what I like is the way he's defended. He hasn't looked overwhelmed or outmuscled in hardly any situation all year. You forget he's still a young defenseman."
And as for facing his old team, DeBoer said he understands it will be emotional.
"There's always motivation when you're playing a team that moved you, or moved on from you, or couldn't make room for you, whatever the situation was," DeBoer said.
Key Numbers
2.75
The Rangers rank 28th in scoring in the NHL so far this season at 2.75 goals per game. Dallas ranks second in goals allowed per game at 1.88.
37.4
The Rangers rank third in the NHL in average shots on goal per game at 37.4.
.935
Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin led the NHL in save percentage last season at .935. He also was tops in GAA at 2.07. He won the Vezina Trophy as top goalie in the NHL.
He said it
"I don't need to see any more. He's looking better every night out, every practice out, he looks better, more comfortable. Jim does make all those final decisions, but he knows where my vote is for that."
-Stars coach Pete DeBoer on the team's upcoming decision on whether to send Wyatt Johnston back to juniors after his ninth game of the season - Saturday against the Rangers.
Expected lineup
Robertson-Hintz-Pavelski
Marchment-Seguin-Gurianov
Benn-Johnston-Dellandrea
Faksa-Glendening-Kiviranta
Lindell-Miller
Suter-Lundkvist
Hanley-Hakanpaa
Oettinger
Wedgewood
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.