Rookie left wing Loui Eriksson has cracked the Stars' lineup because of Jere Lehtinen's injury, but is still waiting for a chance to show what he can do.

Lehtinen was out again Monday against the Colorado Avalanche, the third consecutive game he has missed. Coach Dave Tippett described the injury as "part groin, part hamstring, part leg."

Penalties limited Eriksson's playing time to single digits in weekend games against Atlanta and Carolina. He logged 11:14 in the 5-4 win over the Avalanche and did not look out of place.

Eriksson is expected to remain with the Stars for the near future, especially with the decision to place left wing Mathias Tjarnqvist on waivers.

If Tjarnqvist clears, he probably will be assigned to Iowa for conditioning, and his $450,000 salary won't count against the salary cap. Tjarnqvist has yet to see game action this season.

Tippett acknowledged that he was trying to get a grasp on Eriksson, a rookie from Sweden who had five goals in Iowa.

"There hasn't been enough five-on-five play," Tippett said. "He does a lot of little things well. He's a good all-around player. He's got a knack to score."

Tippett also altered his defensive lineup. Jaroslav Modry was replaced by Jon Klemm, playing in his second game of the season.

For years, people have been telling Brett Hull he could become the Charles Barkley of the NHL if went in front of the TV cameras.

Now he'll get his chance.

Hull, the Stars' ambassador and special assistant to the president, has agreed to terms on a contract that will have him doing studio work for NBC throughout the regular season and Stanley Cup playoffs. He confirmed the agreement before Monday's game.

Cable network Versus debuted its Rail Cam on Monday. The high-definition mobile camera ran on a track above the glass on the penalty box side of American Airlines Center. If the trial run was successful, Versus plans to use the Rail Cam for January's All-Star Game in Dallas.

"It looks like the rabbit at a dog track," Stars forward Stu Barnes said.

Tippett cautioned his players about a puck hitting the camera and staying in play. Goaltending coach Andy Moog went into net to see if it could be a distraction.

Michigan alumnus Marty Turco was struck by the death of legendary football Bo Schembechler on Friday.

Although Schembechler had retired from coaching when Turco arrived on campus in 1994, he was still a presence. Turco remembered "his influence on everybody else and his passion. He never talked about it. He just exuded it."

The 7:50 of ice time recorded Saturday by Eric Lindros was primarily a result of the penalty-filled game, Tippett said. Carolina had 10 power plays to four for the Stars.

"The strength of our team is depth," Lindros said. "When we're killing penalties all the time, it takes a bunch [of players] out of the game."