CLEAR EYES. FULL HEARTS.

MY TEAM FUCKING BATTLED TONIGHT.



Really, I was hoping for a better picture of his scream or when he yelled, "That's right!" to Ribeiro, but the look of intense devotion on Grossman's face makes this a pretty great picture.

There are a lot of players to talk about tonight. Well, I mean... *all* of them, because every single one of those boys--even the boys not suited up--have contributed to this team, and pushed them to be their best and to support one another.

The only ones I'm gonna highlight tonight though are Morrow and Modano. They are true leaders and I am so proud to call them Dallas Stars.

I really love Modano's morning skate interview. At the minute mark he talks about hanging tight with the team and supporting one another, which is possibly the best thing I've heard so far in terms of addressing the oh-and-three hole they're facing. It could be considered cliche, but he comes across so sincere that my love for him makes it hard for me to breathe.

I'm a bit of a lunatic and almost started crying when he got hit the other night, and then almost again when he came back to play in the 3rd, and playing like only Mike Modano can play. I really thought he was going to score that night, but I had to wait until tonight to see it.

And then, of course, my captain.

I liked Hatcher well enough, and, of course, I love Mike Modano, but Brenden Morrow embodies everything I could ever want in a captain. He has grown so much.

I was watching Morrow's morning skate interview and I noticed a scar on his right wrist, and figured it might be from the surgery, but thought that maybe I was wrong and it was the left wrist. So I googled, and found this:

Stars captain Brenden Morrow answered questions about the team on Wednesday, Sept. 12.

• • •

From e-mail: What element of your team's game are you most concerned with improving upon this year?

Brad

Brenden Morrow: Hey Brad, there's no question our goaltending and defense are pretty solid, it's our goal-scoring that we need to improve the most. When we were healthy last year, we were pretty solid in that area, so we're confident we can improve on last year.

• • •

AACfan: What does it mean to have the "C" on your sweater? Was it somewhat awkward at first being around Modano after you took over as captain?

Brenden Morrow: First of all, it's definitely a huge honor, and it was never awkward with Mike. It was bigger news with fans and media. It didn't affect our relationship, because he was very classy with how he dealt with it. He's still a big leader of this team, and someone I look to for support.

• • •

StarsRock: Is your wrist injury completely healed? How frustrating was it being out so long last season?

Brenden Morrow: I wouldn't say it's 100 percent, but it's as good as it will get. The strength is all back, but range of motion is lacking. It's not something that will affect my goal-scoring ability. The timing was bad being the new captain, so missing that much time was real frustrating. The most games I had ever missed was nine, so it was really tough.

• • •

Dave: Have there been any major changes to the Stars system of play that might generate more success offensively?

Brenden Morrow: A lot of ideas have been kicked around, but until camp starts, I have no idea. We're just basically beating each other up right now. There's no structure in our workouts. We're mostly working on our conditioning.

• • •

From e-mail: Do players like the new jerseys they'll be wearing this year? What are your thoughts about the new design?

Brenden Morrow: I like the look and the feel of the uniforms, they're lighter and I think they won't absorb the water as much. They're not any tighter, you can't really tell a big difference. The black uniforms are my favorites.

• • •

Beau: Are the players disappointed that the team wasn't able to secure help in the scoring department this summer via free agency or trade?

Brenden Morrow: Absolutely not. We understand there were one or two guys who we could have acquired to improve ourselves in that area, but there were 29 other teams involved and 29 other teams interested in those guys. We had 107 points last year with the guys we have now, and we have faith management will improve our team as they see fit.

• • •

droppuck: With all the bad press surrounding yet another disappointing playoff exit, what is the team's mental state heading into this season? Is there any additional pressure in the locker room because of the way the playoffs turned out?

Brenden Morrow: We have to get through the regular season before we worry about disappointment in the playoffs. It takes 82 games of work before you can get rewarded. But any disappointment motivates you during the summer, drives you to work harder. Instead of doing an hour, you want to do an hour and a half. You never quite get over losing in the playoffs.

• • •

From e-mail: I realize as a player you probably don't pay a whole lot of attention to what the Stars' marketing department is doing. But what do you think of their new billboard campaign poking fun at the other sports teams in Dallas. Tongue-in-cheek for sure ... but saying the N in NFL is for Nancy? Hmmmm. Certainly you guys don't think DeMarcus Ware or Flozelle Adams are Nancys. (Even though they probably can't skate.)

Louis

Brenden Morrow: I don't mind the billboards. I find them humorous, and they certainly get people talking about hockey. If Flozelle Adams and DeMarcus Ware question me in a back alley, I might change my mind about that.

• • •

From e-mail: How much do you guys study and scout opposing goaltenders' tendencies, and how often are you able to exploit their preceived weaknesses, as opposed to just trying to get a shot off anyway you can?

Spencer

Brenden Morrow: Our scouting report on every goalie is they hate traffic and they can't stop rebounds. I haven't seen a goalie who is different. My plan is to create havoc in front of the goal and knock it in any way possible.

• • •

brian: Watching Joel Lundqvist, play he actually reminds me of you when you first came into the league (high energy, physical guy, but still has offensive skill). Do you think Lundqvist could become a similar player to you (top-six forward, 50-plus points per season)?

Brenden Morrow: That would be great. Joel anticipates plays well and probably has better hockey sense than me. He's gritty and willing to get in the dirty areas and pay the price to score.

• • •

blueline39: Do you miss getting out of town for training camp (especially Colorado in September vs. Dallas)?

Brenden Morrow: I do. I miss spending the whole day with the players. I think you get to know them better away from the rink. In Dallas, guys have their families to attend to, changing diapers, cooking dinner or bedtime stories and baths. That's all very important, but you do miss the time with the team.

• • •

Buster: Do the guys on the team hate the schedule as it stands right now as much as the fans do? Do you get sick of playing the Kings eight times a year, or does it make the games more intense?

Brenden Morrow: I don't like the current schedule. I'd love to play each team home and away like it used to be. Every fan should get to see Sidney Crosby at home once a season. I don't think the extra games within the division really helps make rivalries more intense, either. You either have a rivalry or you don't.

• • •

Jeff: You have an even 300 points in your NHL career and arguably your best years still ahead of you. As a kid growing up, did you ever think you'd be so successful as a hockey player?

Brenden Morrow: No, not really. My goal was to play one game, and now I'm almost at 500. It was a game, it was fun growing up. I happened to be not bad at it, and now I'm doing it for a living.

• • •

DT: What is your usual routine to get ready for a game? Do you have some crazy superstitions before a big game?

Brenden Morrow: Two-hour nap, a little coffee and left before right with all my equipment. Those are my superstitions.

• • •

gman: Are you happy with the current overtime format in the playoffs? Would you prefer to play all night if necessary, or would you modify the system in any way?

Brenden Morrow: I don't mind, but if we're ever going to grow the game, we probably need to do something for television. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I'm sure different options will be considered going forward.

• • •

Jeff: I'm sure it's hard not to since he is your father-in-law and a former teammate, but how much do you talk with Guy Carbonneau about hockey? Has his presence in your personal life helped your professional life as well?

Brenden Morrow: We talk a little bit about hockey, but it's mostly golf. I think he's one of those guys I looked up to my first few years – a classy guy, a leader – so in some way, he probably influenced my professional life.

• • •

Dave: Is Brett Hull openly received by players to offer advice or is he strictly relegated to the role of "ambassador of fun"?

Brenden Morrow: If Brett has an opinion, you don't have to ask him, he'll tell you. He's got a lot of great ideas, and he's someone we think will help our team.

• • •

Robbie: Do you guys still play pranks on the new kids (tape on the skate blades, etc.)?

Brenden Morrow: When Marty was a rookie and I was in my second year, Joe Nieuwendyk and Jamie Langenbrunner (with help) took everything from our hotel room – beds, dressers, televisions, art work ... even lightbulbs – and put it all in our bathroom at the team hotel in San Jose. We have always vowed to pass that prank down, but we haven't done it yet. Maybe this year ...

• • •

droppuck: In terms of growing the game, what more would you like to see the NHL do to help foster the game?

Brenden Morrow: If we had the answer, we'd obviously put those changes in effect. Hockey is a great spectator sport and I think everyone leaves the arenas happy, but we need to find a way to draw in the television audience. We're all open to suggestions, and I think management and players are working every day to try to get the game out there. It's a great game, and I think people just need to see it the way it's seen in the arena.

Thanks so much for all the questions. Time to get back on the ice.

I think I must be insane, because I am tripping up over an everyday interview that could be edited a million times over or media-coached, but little things like saying "Hey Brad" to start things off, and his humor, and how he compliments Joel and is so self-deprecating, but not in a faux-modest way but in a matter-of-fact way (why, yes, I do only score in the blue area of the ice) and the way he's able to let his personality really come through, it makes my heart swell until my chest can't contain it. You never quite get over losing in the playoffs, followed by bedtime stories and baths (which are important!), and I'm thinking about how everyone keeps asking him about his shoulder and he sits there, answering all those questions with his arm hanging down by his side and saying that his shoulder feels "pretty good."

It's entirely lame that I can be moved by something so stupid. What will I do when someone actually writes up a nice article?

What you want from your captain:

Morrow rarely makes spectacular plays, but he brings substance and determination.

Hilarious, man. Substance and determination have never been so spectacular this playoff season.

Both those articles are from the beginning of the season, and I'm thinking even further back--April 2006, and that disastrous round against Colorado. Game 3 and Brenden Morrow takes a (soft, but dumb) penalty that leads to a COL goal. His heart broke on national television and I'd never seen the boy so physically distraught. Bob Sturm ripped him in his blog, but 2 beats later followed it up with:


I endorse Brendan Morrow (above) for captain in 2006-07.

I'm not quite sure why I keep harping on it--I guess it's just the change in tune from the media. After all, these boys have always believed in one another. Mike Modano's always been a leader--just not the kind of leader the media wanted. A year later, with the same media responsibilities as before (but without the captain handle), he's answering the same old questions, but the media's writing about it differently...it's totally weird to see Modano written as a person. Who makes jokes. I swear, the last time I saw one of those was like four years ago when he made a joke involving the war. And Morrow is the same old Morrow, only more comfortable in front of the cameras, but...

How did this...



...turn into...



How far we've come in 8 years. .... MY BABY'S ALL GROWN UP. If this were graduation, I'd totally be that obnoxious woman in the bleachers who brought 81480391838 family members who all have those airhorns to blow when Morrow walks across the stage to accept his diploma. You'd think I gave birth to him or something.

Actually. This reminds me of a really hilarious Mother's Day when my brother bought my mom a card that was intended for an adopted parent.