FRISCO -- A preseason absence could open up an opportunity for young Stars defenseman Gavin Bayreuther, the 24-year-old second-year pro who has never played in an NHL game.
Stephen Johns, expected to be a stalwart in the Stars' top two defensive pairings, missed practice again Friday morning, and has practiced just once since the team returned from Boise on Sept. 16. Johns has not played in any of Dallas' six preseason games.
Stars coach Jim Montgomery said earlier this week that the team hoped Johns would recover from the undisclosed injury to play in the final exhibition Sunday against Colorado.