Brunnstrom to the Minors

Has the hype machine learned a lesson today? The Dallas Stars have reportedly sent Fabian Brunnstrom to Manitoba of the AHL on Tuesday. The actual reason for demotion was not given on Tuesday, but it could be one of two things. The first being that the Stars want him to get himself conditioned after missing a number of games with injury before the All-Star Break. The second being that they would like him to hone his skills in the minors for an indefinite period of time. Both reasons seem rather feasible, but for now it remains unclear as to which one it will be.

The Box 9 forward has been somewhat of a disappointment this year, after the hype about him in the playoffs and summer last year was so great. In 31 games with the Stars, he has managed 10 goals and 4 assists, which leaves him staggeringly off the pace of most prognostications in the off-season. The Hockey News had him as high as 54 points, as their pre-season prediction, while the Score was down around 39 points. He wasn't gambled upon in the Draft, but there were a few takers on the Sheet. Oops.

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