Finally the Stars Look to Youth
Mike Modano leads all USA born hockey players in points and goals but now mans the fourth line in Dallas. After he and Marty Turco blamed the team’s woes on agitator Sean Avery, which amongst other things led to his exodus from Dallas, the Stars have not played any better than their mediocre 10th seed standing.
Turco destroyed all hopes of a playoff seed last year with a 2.81 GAA and .898 SV%. His 33-41 record accounted for 90 percent of the Stars’ starts. So what did the Stars do to alleviate their problems? Nothing!
Modano finished with less than 20 goals for just the third time in his career. His point totals represented his fourth lowest total while he did not eclipse the 30 goal mark for an eighth straight season. The former first overall pick projects for 44 points on the season, a stark contrast from his high scoring past.
What do these two players have in common?
The need to step aside and allow the franchise to build around youngsters Tom Wandell, Loui Eriksson, James Neal, Jamie Benn and now Kari Lehtonen amongst others.
By GM Joe Nieuwendyk trading for the oft-injured Lehtonen he receives a tall, agile goaltender whose younger than the 34-year-old Turco and 29-year-old Alex Auld. The Finnish netminder provides a cheap and hopefully reliable option going into next season. He may not represent the answer, but going younger needed to happen.
With Modano, Turco, Jere Lehtinen and Steve Ott impending free agents, expect plenty of moves to be made in Dallas. Stars owner Tom Hicks outright said he would cut costs this season as he attempts to sell the team leading to frequent speculation that both Turco and Mike Ribeiro will be traded. With the emergency tracheotomy on Ribeiro, it appears more likely only Turco and perhaps Ott will move to another team.
The Stars need a transition and this is how they will start. Although they traded a 21-year-old and former first round pick for a 26-year-old goaltender and added age, they took from a strength and in theory plugged a gaping hope. Good job, Joe!
Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Editor
amonaghan@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @NHLHotstove
