Denis Gurianov has earned a promotion, if not from the AHL to the NHL then at least to a bigger role. After a tough first week to open the season, Gurianov has become a driving factor on the Texas Stars roster, and been given a spot in the top six. With him and Joel L’Esperance tag-teaming as the best player on ice, Texas has improved to 4-1-1-1 and second place in the AHL’s Central division (the first time the Stars are in the division and they are one point behind first).