The Dallas Stars have returned Joel Hanley to the Texas Stars this afternoon as the club is seeing its defensive injuries begin to abate. John Klingberg is expected to play for Dallas on Thursday night, sending Hanley to the AHL.
In his time in the NHL, Hanley found his way into 16 games. He didn't pick up a point but provided a steady presence for a then- and still-ailing blue line.
Coming into the season, having Shanna Hanna and Ben Gleason anchor your top pairing was not the plan. Far from it. Hanley's return will help to further bolster a defensive crew that has weathered the storm and succeeded.