Dallas Stars

[Rudy]

I know this is a a couple of weeks late, but c'mon Ive been busy. Anyways, I am a student of the game of hockey. It is my favorite sport followed closely by college football. Here are my thoughts on the season and the players.

Personally, I think it was a successful season. True, they did not win the Stanley Cup, but they made some impressive strides. They have made some major personel changes from the previous season, and have added some new players. These new components need time to find their place on the team, who had a new coach and new system. They found some future stars for the team, I think they will contend for the cup next season. With a little more time to come together, they will be a serious force for several years to come.

Jason Arnott - Center: Big physical forward with alot of skill. When he was not injured, he showed the ability to contribute. I think he will continue to improve. he will be a solid anchor for your third line for several years.

Stu Barnes - Center: Good acquisition at the trade deadline. Proved that he still has a lot of talent left. Gritty forward with skill in front of the net. He will be back and contributing next year.

Philippe Boucher - Defense: Brilliant signing in the off season. Proved to be a very valuable asset on the blue line. Very dependable and will continue to do so for 3-4 years.

Ulf Dahlen - Right Wing: Another brillian move in the offseason. Played for the Stars during their first season here, before being traded. Came back to Dallas and impressed many with his reliable play. Still has scoring talent and is a hard working blue collar player. May finish his career with Dallas, but with so many young players, he may be forced to finish elsewhere. Still, I'd hate to lose him.

Rob DiMaio - Right Wing: Blue collar winger, that plays well. can conrtibute on your third of fourth line. Not sure how much is left on his contract. With some of the players that were brought up, I would like to see him go elsewhere and get more playing time.

Aaron Downey - Right Wing: Your future enforcer ladies and gentlemen. 6'0, strong, and physical. If you need someone put in their place, send in Downey. Probably won't play alot if he is strictly an enforcer. If he works on his skill, especially around the net, he will get more playing time. I would love to see Downey kick the crap out of Donald Brashear.

John Erskine - Defense: Possibly the next Matvichuk. 6'4 and another strong and physical player. Also seems to have some decent offensive skill at the least. Is very young, will probably have his first full year in the NHL next season. He looks to be very promising. He may replace Richard Matvichuk.

Bill Guerin - Right Wing: Good acquisition. Very Physical and impressive offensive skill. Offensive skills compliment Modano nicely. Can take some, if not alot of the physical pressure off of Modano, opening the ice up for Mike. With his strength and physical ability, Will be happy to drop the gloves and defend the franchise player. Will be here for many years.

Derian Hatcher - Defense: Team captain and leader. Physical ability is impressive. Has proven to have offensive skill inthe past. Would like to see him strp it up in that department more. Tendency to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, having goals unluckily bounce off him at times. Regardless, still a solid player and good team leader.

Niko Kapanen - Center: Another young player. Seems to have some very promising offenisve ability. I look forward to seeing him improve and have a future on the Stars.

Jere Lehtinen - Right Wing: One of the MOST UNDERRATED players in the NHL. Solid defensive forward. Versatile and can play on either wings. Time and time again comes through with excellent defensive play and hardworking forchecking in the offensive zone. His dedication and hard work often leads to scoring chances. Has quality offensive abilities to finish what he starts. Is a good rolemodel and example for the new Stars, as well as the young hockey players out there that need someone to imitate.

Claude Lemieux - Right Wing: Big, Physical, true tough guy. Once touted as the most hated man in the NHL. Will step up and mix things up on both sides of the ice. Physical play can createn chances in front of the net. With the future of the Stars already arriving, I would not expect him to be here next year. However, with the uncertainty of the future, and a possible play stoppage, the Stars may keep him. It won't hurt thier pocketbooks. With his physical ability, they may find a use for him.

Manny Malhotra - Center: Promising young player. Sees limited playing time, but I think he was a bargain. Looks to have raw skils that need more developing. Does not get pushed around either. I think he has a bright futire in the NHL, hopefully with Dallas.

Richard Matvichuk - Defense: Solid defensive player and contributes offensively. Physical like a d-man should be. Has said that he wants to stay in Dallas. With the development of Erskine, Richards tenure here may be over. He could stay here in a limited role while Erskine gets more playing time next season. If the Stars do resign him, it will be a short term contract, and if Erskine does look to develop like expected, look for Matvichuk to be traded. I don't expect Richard to have much time here left.

Mike Modano - Center: Widely regarded as the best all-around player in the NHL, by players, fans, and everyone in the hockey world. Speed, skill, accurate and powerful shot, excellent passing, quick, smart, and not afraid to be physical. Does not let himself get pushed around, and now he doesn't have to with Morrow and Guerin on his line. Has improved his defensive play over the last few seasons. Not really anything else to say, he is just simply awesome.

Brenden Morrow - Left Wing: A newer version of Pat Verbeek (one of my favs) Not the biggest guy, but a hard worker and it pays off. Likes to play physical. The only catch of the other guys, he has quality offensive ability to go with that physical play. He can score in front of the net, or between the faceoff dots. He will also drop the gloves, and despite his size, not a bad fighter. Great decision to move him to Modano's line. Gives Mike a great passing target. Many scoring chances this past season were due to Mondano and Morrow. I would love to see them together next year.

Kirk Muller - Left Wing: Gritty forward who knows what it takes to win. would like to stay with Dallas, but once again, due to the new talent coming up, may not be back. Good stable anchor for your 4th line. Reliable defensively and can be a role model.

Lyle Odelein - Defense: Trade deadline acquisition, but did not get much ice time. I think he was hurt during most of his stay. I probably don't think he will be back. The defense looks pretty solid. He will porbably go to a team that needs a good physical, experienced, blue liner but doesn't have the money. Will probably end up with a team that needs some leadership.

Steve Ott - Center: A future stud for Dallas. Ive been tracking his progress trhough the minors and Im glad he is finally here. He will be a good scorer and wont take anything from anybody either. I look forward to seeing him develop.

Stephane Robidas - Defense: Promising young d-man. Got more playing time as the season went on. Looked impressive and promisng. I think he has a bright future.

Darryl Sydor - Defense: Quality offensive defensman and reliable on both sides of the ice. I would like to see him stay here, but with the younger players, could be on his way out.

Ron Tugnutt - Goaltender: Veteran goaltender and quality backup to Turco. May be too expensive to keep and not start. Dallas will probably turn to a less expensive backup next season.

Marty Turco - Goaltender: Promising young goalie. Very talented, but sometimes risky. Will be an exciting goalie and fun to watch. Did very well in his first season, but the playoff pressure may have gotten to him. Expect him to come back hungry next season.

Pierre Turgeon - Center: Has not shown much his first 2 seasons. So far a dissappointment. Cleared waivers, but will probably be back next season, at least going into training camp.

Scott Young - Right Wing: Quality pickup. Has come thorugh with offensive play several times. expect him to contribute on the second ot third lines next year.

Sergei Zubov - Defense: Very offensive minded defenseman. Anchor of your power play. Great passer and hard shot. Sometimes lacking on defense and seemingly lack of effort, though. Would like to see him try harder and definetly take more slapshots from the blue line.

[CMJ]

The Stars had an excellent season and will contend yet again next season...no doubts here.