(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars) Sometimes conditioning assignments are so-so; sometimes it's very clear why a player is in the NHL. Nathan Bastian's brief assignment this past week proved he's NHL caliber in case anyone doubted him. The Texas Stars got two game-winning goals, a shootout winner and an assist from the instantly-first-line Bastian during his four games here in Cedar Park. Now he's headed back to Dallas. Val Nichushkin had a hat trick in one of his assignments. Stephen Johns scored a cathartic power play goal in his. The conditioning assignment is used less than once a year historically for Texas but, of all people, Nathan Bastian made a really solid case that it should be more common for players like him after Saturday night's game. We asked about his experience in the league on assignment, knowing it was likely his last game, and he answered with praise. This extended quote from the interview is illustrative (emphasis mine): "It's been v...