2007 & 2008 at a glance

Before I actually get to the schedule, allow me to reflect a bit, in no great detail, about this years Dallas Stars:

• Marty Turco continued to prove that he is a clutch goalie and that he has it in the playoffs. While he had a rough bout against the Wings, he not only pulled the team 3 rounds deep, he finally got his first win at the Joe ... ever ... in the playoffs.
• The freshmen are AMAZING. Who would have expected a group SO chock full of rookies to make it as far as they did. Barch, Erikson, Grossman, Fistric, Niskanen, Peterson, Stephan ... I know we saw more guys, but these guys really impressed me this season. I can't wait to see what happens with our backup goalie situation next year - and how about Grossman with his first career NHL goal being in the Playoffs ... no ... in the Western Conference Finals??? Nuts I tell ya, nuts!
• Oh captain, my Captain. When the "C" was abruptly and rudely taken from Mike Modano many people questioned the move, and also the choice of Brendan Morrow as the replacement. If there are ANY doubters left, allow us to reflect, without me digging up the stats, how well Morrow did this series. First and foremost, if we had made the finals, he would have, in this bloggers opinion, won the Conn Smyth this year. Second, was there a player with more heart, more drive, and better to model the rest of your team after this series? How about his injuries? (yeah, we'll get to that in a moment). I admit, when I first saw Morrow I questioned him as Captain. I knew there had to be a reason, but I wasn't sold. I will never question him again after this year.
• Shoulder surgery, sports hernia, torn shoulder, bum leg, concussion. And this is just the list of players who PLAYED WITH THESE INJURIES this playoffs; for the Stars. We knew about Boucher, Zubov, Barnes & Fistric, but how about Morrow & Norstrom? That's right, for the entire Playoffs Norstrom did everything he could to ignore a sports hernia; and it was, in my opinion, the most alive he has been as a Dallas Star. As for our Captain, he was "basically laying on one leg" since the final game against the Sharks, not forget the partial tare in his shoulder.
• Mike Smith was an amazing backup goalie; Jussie Jokinen a clutch on the breakaway/Shootout; Jeff Halpern a quiet leader; and we saw all of them leave this year. It was a sad day for everyone, not a single fan I know was happy to see all 3 of these players leave, and I'm certain the team had a rough time of it too. However, Brad Richards and 3 years of contract came to Dallas. This will be HUGE in the coming years as we see some of our vets retire. It was huge in the playoffs as he was tied for second in points and led the lines of not only Mike Modano but also the rookies at different times. B-Rich will be a major player next year, the year after, and going forward.
• Brett Hull and Les Jackson were placed into the first ever co-GM experiment in the history of the NHL. They relieved an unspoken pressure between the players and their concern for job security; they relieved a similar unspoken pressure of Dave Tippet and his team of coaches, who just hadn't proven themselves in the playoffs (don't believe me? Look at San Jose's head coach; oh that's right, they don't have one anymore). They placed a few minor pickups in Iowa; and they tailored the deal that got us Brad Richards without giving up our entire future (can anyone say Marion Hossa to Pittsburgh?). Rumor has it that Tom Hicks is actually trying to convince the two to stick around together another year; wow.
• Fabian Brunnstrom; this years hottest free agent; a supposed #5 overall draft pick, without the draft pick and without the ramp up time in Iowa. Need I say more about next year?

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boy and Girls, it's time to look at 2008/2009. Hold your heads up high because the Dallas Stars were a team to be proud of in 2007/2008 and will be a team to reckon with next year.

GO STARS!
--j

Trade Deadline 2008 - The Countdown (22.5hrs)

These are the big rumors revolving around Dallas that I've seen in the last weeks, and how they have, or are, working themselves out.

Matts Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs - asked to waive his No-Trade clause and thought hard the past week, but ultimately decided to stick with Toronto. For the team it was "what's best for the team" but for him it was staying true to his heart. Sundin has been a Leaf for 13 seasons and does not believe in rental players, which is what he was being asked to be - he's not even sure he'll return next season - what does he care if he spends 4 months with a team that might make it, or the team he leaves.

Alexander Tanguay, Calgary Flames - a big rumor for the Dallas Market, he fit the bill pretty well and people seemed to think they'd like our youngin's. Well today GM Daryl Sutter said "No Way" - he was uninterested in trading away Tanguay, and in my opinion, this was a smart move for him. It helps that the flames aren't in last place.

Peter Forsberg, Unrestricted Free Agent - We've heard the back and forth on this one. Well, his favorit team, the Avs, have called on him. Turns out he was willing to take 1 season (financials not yet disclosed) but only for the right team. We'll see him towards the end of the season. Expect to see him on the IR for a few weeks ... if nothing else a Healthy Scratch. There is no way his foot is ready for what he'll need to be doing for the Avs to win.

Brad Richards, Tampa Bay Lightening - Brad could fit REALLY well in Dallas, although what we need is someone to take the shot, not make the pass. But like I said, he has the potential. I'd even like to see him here - but NOT FOR 7.8 MILLION BUX. Jeeez Tampa. So, he's definitely on the block, and someone is going to pick him up, but for the love of god I hope it isn't Dallas. FYI - that would make him, I believe, our highest paid player for the next two seasons and would pretty much nail us to the roof of the salary cap at least next year. Also, we would likely have to let go of Smitty, unless there was a 3-way trade involved, and I don't know I even see that happening.

So, it looks like so far we're going to go MAJOR trade-free, unless Hull & Jackson are masters of Magic, and I'm not one to say they aren't! So, raise a glass for hockey and say a toast for your team in hopes we love who we see in 22.5 hours ...