Ray Sawada recalled

Chris Conner has been sent back to Peoria.

My guess is they wanted more size, and Sawada provides that at 6-2, 205.

He's a solid fit on the fourth line, if that's where they choose to play him.

We'll see tonight.

Here's the press release:

FRISCO, Tex. - The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has recalled right wing Raymond Sawada from the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL). The Stars also announced that right wing Chris Conner has been assigned back to the Peoria Rivermen (AHL).

Sawada, who turns 24 years old today, has appeared in 48 games for Manitoba this season, scoring five goals and 13 assists for 18 points with 31 penalty minutes and a +8 rating. Three of his goals have come on the power play. The Richmond, B.C., native was Dallas' second round pick (52nd overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Sawada played four years at Cornell (2004-2008), scoring 31 goals and 45 assists for 76 points in 137 games.

Conner, 25, has appeared in 19 games with the Stars this season and has posted a career-high seven points (one goal and six assists). The native of Westland, Mich., has played in 52 career NHL games with the Stars, notching five goals and 10 assists for 15 points with 18 penalty minutes. He has appeared in 30 games with Peoria this season, posting 16 goals and 12 assists for 28 points. Despite his 19 games away from the Rivermen, he remains ranked second on the club in goals and third in points. Conner was signed as a free agent by Dallas on July 13, 2006.

_Mike Heika