Shooting stars
The Stars aren't just number one off the ice like they were last year.
One season after posting one of the worst record in the history of the WCHL, the Dallas Stars find themselves working on getting back into the playoffs. While there have been some questionable moves along the way, the Dallas Stars have overall shown a strong turnaround this season.
That began in the off-season, as veterans Marian Hossa and Rob Scuderi were traded for, while centre Joe Thornton was added via free agency, immediately improving the offense and defense at what were relatively low costs; outside of the salary additions that is.
Marian Hossa's offense hasn't been terrific this year, but it's been a boost to the Stars over last year.
While their contribution results have been mixed, the Stars haven't simply rested on the shoulders of those three players. Instead, a large scale overhaul of the team has them boasting a revamped line up full of expectation and void of any hangovers from last years dispicable season.
"They needed a fresh start here in Dallas, and I don't think it gets much fresher than this," said Thornton. "The change has been good and things are going in the right direction, but we need to get better yet, myself included."
"They needed a fresh start here in Dallas," said Joe Thornton, himself looking for a fresh start after 13 seasons in Boston. While it's been a fresh start indeed for both, both the Stars and Thronton could use some improvement as well.
Indeed they do. After starting the season hot, including breifly holding down third spot in the Western Conference, the Stars have fallen back to earth somewhat. Now sitting ninth in the conference and on a five game losing streak.
"It's been a rough stretch lately, but every team goes thugh these from time to time," acknowledged Hossa. "We just need to get past this and get back to winning, not let this streak define us."
And there is plenty of players who have a winning pedigree in the Stars line up. For instance, there are no fewer than 10 former Clgary Flames players who have suited up for the Dallas Stars this season, and the Flames have been one of the leagues most successful teams the past five seasons in the WCHL. This list includes the teams leading scorer David Clarkson, who has amassed 18 goals and 34 points this year.
David Clarkson's offense this year has been a welcome addition to the Stars.
"We have a veteran core, there's no doubt about it," said Clarkson. "We know how to win, now it's just a matter of getting out there and winning."
To do so the club's going to need some more goals. Despite heavily improving the firepower upfront, Dallas still sits 23rd in the league in goals, and 26th on the powerplay. While more was expected out of Hossa and Thornton, who between them have just 19 goals this season, others need to step up their play as well. Included in that list is Brandon Dubinsky, who in two seperate stints with Carolina this year has scored just once and added four assists in 21 games. Wotjek Wolski meanwhile has just three goals and seven points in 41 games as a Stars this year.
While new additions in Mike Fisher and Nick Foligno should help, the team still likely will need a larger upgrade or more contributions from guys like Wolski, Dubinsky or Andrew Cogliano. A true puckmoving defenceman would also help, with Matt Gilroy being the closest thing to that so far for Dallas.
More offense from Wojtek Wolski would be a big assist to the Stars.
If Dallas can get some more balanced scoring, things could rebound quickly for the Stars. And unlike last year, they won't need the stars to align to make the playoffs this time around.
The Stars aren't just number one off the ice like they were last year.
One season after posting one of the worst record in the history of the WCHL, the Dallas Stars find themselves working on getting back into the playoffs. While there have been some questionable moves along the way, the Dallas Stars have overall shown a strong turnaround this season.
That began in the off-season, as veterans Marian Hossa and Rob Scuderi were traded for, while centre Joe Thornton was added via free agency, immediately improving the offense and defense at what were relatively low costs; outside of the salary additions that is.
Marian Hossa's offense hasn't been terrific this year, but it's been a boost to the Stars over last year.
While their contribution results have been mixed, the Stars haven't simply rested on the shoulders of those three players. Instead, a large scale overhaul of the team has them boasting a revamped line up full of expectation and void of any hangovers from last years dispicable season.
"They needed a fresh start here in Dallas, and I don't think it gets much fresher than this," said Thornton. "The change has been good and things are going in the right direction, but we need to get better yet, myself included."
"They needed a fresh start here in Dallas," said Joe Thornton, himself looking for a fresh start after 13 seasons in Boston. While it's been a fresh start indeed for both, both the Stars and Thronton could use some improvement as well.
Indeed they do. After starting the season hot, including breifly holding down third spot in the Western Conference, the Stars have fallen back to earth somewhat. Now sitting ninth in the conference and on a five game losing streak.
"It's been a rough stretch lately, but every team goes thugh these from time to time," acknowledged Hossa. "We just need to get past this and get back to winning, not let this streak define us."
And there is plenty of players who have a winning pedigree in the Stars line up. For instance, there are no fewer than 10 former Clgary Flames players who have suited up for the Dallas Stars this season, and the Flames have been one of the leagues most successful teams the past five seasons in the WCHL. This list includes the teams leading scorer David Clarkson, who has amassed 18 goals and 34 points this year.
David Clarkson's offense this year has been a welcome addition to the Stars.
"We have a veteran core, there's no doubt about it," said Clarkson. "We know how to win, now it's just a matter of getting out there and winning."
To do so the club's going to need some more goals. Despite heavily improving the firepower upfront, Dallas still sits 23rd in the league in goals, and 26th on the powerplay. While more was expected out of Hossa and Thornton, who between them have just 19 goals this season, others need to step up their play as well. Included in that list is Brandon Dubinsky, who in two seperate stints with Carolina this year has scored just once and added four assists in 21 games. Wotjek Wolski meanwhile has just three goals and seven points in 41 games as a Stars this year.
While new additions in Mike Fisher and Nick Foligno should help, the team still likely will need a larger upgrade or more contributions from guys like Wolski, Dubinsky or Andrew Cogliano. A true puckmoving defenceman would also help, with Matt Gilroy being the closest thing to that so far for Dallas.
More offense from Wojtek Wolski would be a big assist to the Stars.
If Dallas can get some more balanced scoring, things could rebound quickly for the Stars. And unlike last year, they won't need the stars to align to make the playoffs this time around.
