Stars Practice Notebook: New Guys Marchment, Lundkvist “Part of the Team” Ahead of Opener

There are a few new faces around the Dallas Stars dressing room heading into the 2022-23 season. For two of those newcomers, Mason Marchment and Nils Lundkvist, the long and “normal” preseason has helped their transition to feeling like part of the team. 

“Everyone has done a good job of making me comfortable and I feel part of the team, that’s all I can ask for,” Marchment said. 

Marchment has been one of the most impressive players for Dallas all preseason. In fact, Head Coach Pete DeBoer singled him out when talking about the guys that caught his eye up to this point. 

"He drags you into the fight," DeBoer said. "The other team knows he's on the ice. He's engaged in a lot of little battles all over the sheet. He's done it the entire camp and the entire preseason, so I'm excited about him."

The 27-year-old winger tallied three goals and displayed the physical presence that really had Dallas excited to bring him aboard. That, combined with the newfound confidence from his breakout season should make him a very dangerous player. 

"I just think it's confidence," Marchment said. "When I got put with all of those good players in Florida, I realized that my game helps their game in a way, and when I mentally figured that out, it just made everything easier."

Lundkvist has a similar story. He found himself at the bottom of the depth chart in New York and has only 25 NHL games under his belt. Still, the 22-year-old found a way to make a difference in the preseason and secure a spot not only on the team but seemingly in the top-four defense to begin the season. 

“It’s fun that the season starts and we go play for points now, the real thing starts,” he said. “The preseason is getting adjusted and everything, and now it’s go time. It’s a lot of fun.” 

Lundkvist has the potential to be a very valuable player for Dallas this season, and for a long time down the road. His skill matches DeBoer’s system and he brings in some of the offensive confidence that departed with a certain John Klingberg. 

“It’s new for everyone and it feels like it is getting better and better throughout the games. For myself, getting more used to it and getting more into the habits; you don’t need to think out there and you have it as a habit instead. It’s getting better and better for sure.” 

Notes

• Mason Marchment returned to practice after a maintenance day Tuesday

• Denis Gurianov was bumped off the power play