Julius Honka is back to full health — and back to Cedar Park.
The Dallas Stars announced that they had assigned the young blueliner back to the Texas Stars earlier this afternoon. With Honka, the Stars were carrying nine healthy defenseman.
The demotion should not be taken as an indictment on Honka’s play at the NHL level. In fact, he acquitted himself well and helped stabilize the backend through injuries. Unfortunately, he is one of the only defenseman the Stars have that would not have to pass through waivers to go down to the AHL.
I think in any other season, the Stars might try to slip one of Patrik Nemeth or Jamie Oleksiak through waivers in favor of keeping Honka up.