Julius Honka has not been getting playing time at the NHL level, so the powers that be decided it was time for him to get some. In the AHL, that is.
General manager Jim Nill is good at managing his assets, and his always been a proponent of cooking prospects until they’re nearly overdone in the minor leagues. Those two philosophies seem to be causing some angst with the roster decisions, as the Stars continue to carry nine NHL defensemen when they need only seven. (Well, eight now with Honka’s demotion.)
In the preseason, the coaching staff raved about how good Jamie Oleksiak looked, and he’s often gotten the call to play over Honka so far this season.