Team Preview: Dallas Stars

2010-2011: 95 points, 9th in Western Conference
Key additions: RW Michael Ryder, C Vernon Fiddler, D Sheldon Souray, RW Radek Dvorak, C Jake Dowell
Key departures: C Brad Richards, D Karlis Skrastins, RW Jamie Langenbrunner

Why they'll contend: The Stars added a lot of depth in the off-season after finishing just two points out of the playoffs in 2011. The Stars will look to improve on their near miss last season by plugging the gaps. Vernon Fiddler is an excellent face-off guy, Radek Dvorak and Jake Dowell will be boosts to the penalty killing unit, and Michael Ryder and Sheldon Souray, if effective, could help the power play. If Kari Lehtenon is healthy he is a top goaltender at the NHL level, but the question is whether or not he can be on the ice enough to make a substantial impact. Since being drafted in 2002 he has played just two full NHL seasons. The Stars lack just that--stars--but looking at their roster top-to-bottom its easy to see why they could be hanging around at the end of the year. They have a nice mix of guys throughout their line-up that can do the little things, like block shots or kill penalties, that could catapult Dallas over the top.

Why they'll falter: Realistically speaking, a team in Dallas' position will not be able to overcome the loss of Brad Richards. They do not have the financial strength or the depth in the farm system to overcome the loss of a player such as Richards. The Stars took a lot of gambles in the off-season, namely that of the inconsistent Michael Ryder, the oft-injured and now minor league defenseman in Sheldon Souray, and the declining Radek Dvorak. If these pieces work out, Dallas can contend. But the reality is that they all won't work out and they are low-risk, high-reward signings. Even if the risk is low, the reality is that Dallas did not do a ton to improve its roster. The Western Conference will tight as always, and the odds of Dallas keeping pace are slim in 2012.

2012 prediction: 11th in Western Conference
Leading scorer: Loui Eriksson, 23 G & 64 points
Bold prediction: Loui Eriksson will eclipse 10 penalty minutes. Not many bold things in Dallas this year.

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