Games Played: 13
Wins: 6
Losses: 5
Overtime Losses: 0
Goals Against Average: 3.25
Save Percentage: .885
Minutes: 605
Richard Bachman certainly had an off year by his standards. Since his arrival in Dallas in December 2011 when he stole the show and forced the Stars to get rid of Andrew Raycroft. With the lockout this season, Bachman was one of the Stars that didn’t play overseas or in other minor leagues of hockey, and certainly that was the cause of his slow start. In a shortened 48 game season, Bachman certainly wasn’t going to see much playing time as the Stars plan certainly was to ride or die with Kari Lehtonen, but Bachman is a servicable back up who in short stretches looks like any teams number one.
Bachman’s first two starts certainly didn’t go well as they were both losses, including a game where he gave up six goals against the Calgary Flames. Bachman’s ability to step up big when needed came in his first victory of the season against the Vancouver Canucks. Kari Lehtonene left the game with a lower body injury, and Bachman came in and helped led the Stars to a comeback victory over the Canucks.
Bachman’s ability to be great in short stretches as a number one goaltender was on display in late March, early April when Kari Lehtonen was once again out due to injury Richard Bachman became the everyday for a span of almost two weeks and winning four straight decisions, including an impressive shutout of the Los Angeles Kings, and a performance against the San Jose Sharks where Bachman only allowed one goal in a victory. Bachman stepped his game up late in the season to help keep the Stars playoff hopes alive, even though it didn’t come to fruition.
Bachman turns 26 in July is set to become a Restricted Free Agent this offseason, it would be shocking to see Bachman return as the Stars backup once again next season, with Jack Campbell still developing in the AHL, and questions surrounding whether Cristopher Nilstorp will return next season, the Stars have control of what to do with Bachman. General Manager Jim Nill should have an easy time re-negotiating a deal with the young goaltender.
