There's no shortage of veteran leadership on the Stars' squad this season -- in fact, Dallas may have too much. The major question hanging over GM Bob Gainey and coach Ken Hitchcock is whether the Stars will be too old to advance past the Western Conference semifinals, their final resting place in the 2000-01 season. The acquisition of All-Star Pierre Turgeon should help a Dallas attack that finished in the league's upper third in goals scored last season. Turgeon and longtime Stars center Mike Modano will need to fill in for star winger Brett Hull, who would appear to be packing his bags.
Here are your thoughts on what Dallas needs for next season:
Team needs a new direction
As long as Ken Hitchcock is a head coach, the Stars are doomed to play the same boring "defense first" game. Take some offensive lessons from Colorado or New Jersey -- the game is supposed to be fun to watch!
Oleg
Plano, Texas
Depth problems could jeopardize playoff hopes
This is the year that the Stars will slip out of that elite rung. The injuries that have plagued Mike Modano and Joe Nieuwendyk throughout their careers will play even more of a factor as age comes into play. Dallas has too much depth down the middle and not enough on the wings and blue line. The Stars are an Ed Belfour groin injury away from possibly missing the playoffs, as the Western Conference becomes more and more competitive. Very few points will separate the number three to eight spot. Meanwhile, Nashville and Columbus have made solid offseason improvements.
Nick
Windsor, Ontario
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Not re-signing Brett Hull to a two-year deal was sheer idiocy. ” |
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— Chris, Corvallis, Ore. |
Endurance is paramount
The Stars had a great 2000-01 season. I think the series with Edmonton took a lot out of the players and that's why they lost to St. Louis. They didn't have the same drive they had in the series with the Oilers. There is great promise for the coming season. As Joe Nieuwendyk and Mike Modano go, so go the Stars. If they stay healthy, they can match any team in the league. The Stars have a very good defense with the right blend of toughness and skill. With the addition of Pierre Turgeon, the Stars could possibly run three very skilled lines that no other team can match.
Scott
Quincy, Mass.
Taking care of business in the offseason
Even though the Stars didn't get any younger, they took care of what they needed to, which was getting more scoring. Kudos to Bob Gainey for signing the players he did. Colorado is going to be tough again, but the Stars are moving in the right direction.
Joe
Euless, Texas
Hull gaffe will haunt Dallas
An old team really didn't get all that much younger. Dallas needs DEFENSE. That's why they didn't do all that hot last year in the playoffs. And an old team facing an 82-game season without adding to their depth charts isn't going to get any farther than last year. I would expect to see them not finish first in their division this coming season, and possibly not even make the playoffs. Not re-signing Brett Hull to a two-year deal was sheer idiocy. They need the offense he can provide, and I seriously doubt Pierre Turgeon and Mike Modano will be able to carry the team through the 2001-2002 season.
Chris
Corvallis, Ore.
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As Joe Nieuwendyk and Mike Modano go, so go the Stars. If they stay healthy, they can match any team in the league. ” |
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— Scott, Quincy, Mass. |
Turco may take off
The Stars picked up some good players this offseason,
but I want to know what they are going to do with their
goalie situation. With Marty Turco performing the way
he did last season, they are going to have to trade
either him or the Eagle soon. My guess is that down
the stretch this season, Dallas will have to trade Turco for a winger.
Matthew
Albany, N.Y.
Acquisitions will provide little help
Dallas is too old and too slow. They wasted money on Valeri Kamensky and I'd bet the house against Donald Audette having a season like he did in 2000-01. Dallas will be lucky to finish second in the Pacific Division.
Russ
Denver
Old age won't take effect this season
The Dallas Stars will be the same team they were last year: skilled, competitive, lowest goals against and having a chance to go a long way in the playoffs. Their reluctance to get younger will have a drastic effect on them in two to three years, but for now, they are one of the one's to beat in the West. I just can't understand why they wouldn't resign Brett Hull, a 40-goal scorer who was willing to return for less money! Of the old guys in the league who are available, he is one to have. He may not be able to log as many minutes on the ice, but he is a natural goal scorer who will continue to score in big games. He even won the Stanley Cup without really scoring a goal!
Jacob
Rigby, Idaho
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Their reluctance to get younger will have a drastic effect on them in two to three years, but for now, they are one of the one's to beat in the West. ” |
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— Jacob, Rigby, Idaho |
Injury bug must fly away
Dallas let go of one chemistry killer in Brett Hull and picked up another who may have a similar effect in Pierre Turgeon. On paper, this team looks better than last year, with at least two strong scoring lines and possibly three. If Ed Belfour is hot and the often-injured Joe Nieuwendyk can play another year and be productive, this team will be tough to beat in the playoffs. It's a long season, so conditioning will be paramount.
Keldon
Stuarts Draft, Va.
In Bob we trust
With the addition of Pierre Turgeon and Donald Audette, the Stars will be shying away from their defensive system, but not too much. Ken Hitchcock will help these players become more complete by making the Stars a better team. I do wish they would have re-signed Brett Hull -- that would have been the icing on the cake this summer. But Bob Gainey is a smart man and I won't doubt his decisions. Moving into their new arena might help too. It's supposed to have better ice than Reunion Arena, but not Edmonton ice. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Frank
Dallas
