Hey, old friend: Stars excited for 'special' reunion with Roussel

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Antoine Roussel was a big part of the Stars organization for six seasons, so facing his old team for the first time will be a big deal Saturday.
Roussel signed a four-year, free-agent contract with the Vancouver Canucks last summer, averaging $3 million a season, and said the transition was emotional, but also fun.
"That is a great team and it is sad to leave a team like that where you have a lot of friends," Roussel said after practice Friday. "But I turned a page and have a new chapter in my life, with a new city and new fans."

Roussel has played 23 games with the Canucks and has three goals and five assists for eight points. He tallied 141 points (64 goals, 77 assists) in 413 games with the Stars, becoming not only a fan favorite but an emotional leader, as well.
"He was a big part of our locker room, so it's going to be fun," said forward Devin Shore.

Asked if he expects Roussel to be revved up for the game, Shore smiled and said: "He's got one way to play, and he brings that competitiveness every game."
Roussel, who had been the Stars' penalty-minute leader in each of the past six seasons, said it will be interesting trying to jaw with his old teammates.
"They know my tricks , so it will be a little harder," Roussel said. "I'll just focus on my game, and I won't be surprised if they give me the silent treatment. It will be fun."
Roussel, 29, first signed with the Texas Stars in 2012 as a minor-league free agent. He worked his way up to the NHL that season and then established himself as a lineup regular.
"They gave me everything that I've got. They established me in the league, you name it," Roussel said. "It was a good organization who takes care of their players, and Jim Nill was very good for me. It's going to be special to play them."

Bishop set to return from injury

Stars goalie Ben Bishop missed the past five games with a lower body injury, but will return to the lineup and start Saturday against the Canucks. Bishop is 8-5-1 on the season with a 2.33 goals against average and a .923 save percentage.
Bishop has been on the road, practicing with the team all week, and said he is ready to go.
"It's nice to be back out there with the guys, I feel good," he said.
Asked what he has been trying to accomplish in practice, Bishop said: "Just try to get up to 100 percent out there, try to play it as game-like as possible, try to get your timing back. Practice can be a little loose. Obviously, when you come back, you have to flip a switch and start being serious."
The Stars rank fourth in the NHL in goals against average at 2.69 and are eighth in save percentage at .913. Anton Khudobin has been solid while Bishop has been out, but coach Jim Montgomery said there is a difference in style between Khudobin's aggressive scrambling goaltending and Bishop's more conservative positional play.
"The best part of our game has been our goaltending. It doesn't matter which one is in net, they always give us an opportunity (to win)," said Montgomery.
"When Bish is in there, it's a different feeling. It's more in control, positioning, poise and the puck handing is really good. And then when you have the Kazakhstanian devil in there, there's ultra compete and fight and second and third effort and it resonates throughout the bench."
Bishop said he has admired Khudobin's work over the season, but that he doesn't plan on trying to duplicate his style.
"It's fun to watch, but we're pretty different when it comes to style," Bishop said. "Some of the things he can do, I can't."
Bishop is known for handling the puck and communicating with his defensemen, but there will be challenges with AHL call-ups Gavin Bayreuther, Joel Hanley and Taylor Fedun among the group of blueliners filling in right now.
"I've always been a loud, talkative guy back there," Bishop said. "Not too much changes, I've just got to remember their names."

Smith in, Nichushkin out vs. Canucks

Forward Gemel Smith will return to the lineup after missing five straight games as a healthy scratch. Valeri Nichushkin will get a healthy scratch after playing 18 straight games.
Smith has two goals and one assist in 13 games. Nichushkin has no goals and four assists in 21 games.
"Val has played really well, but I think mentally he needs a break," Montgomery said. "He needs to watch a game to get a little more confidence in what he is going to do. I think mentally he is gripping the stick."

Saturday's game

Who: Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks
Where:Rogers Arena
When: 3:00 p.m.
TV:Fox Sports Southwest
Radio: The Ticket 1310-AM/96.7-FM
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,and listen to his podcast.