The Stars seem to be affected more than most teams under the new CBA. Having cut $30 million from their payroll they no longer have the depth of talent that made them such a strong team in the past few seasons.
The question then becomes just how much weaker are they compared to the team that played in 2003-04? Their defense is anchored around two guys with a combined 108 games experience. That does not auger well for the coming season. IMO with this thin a defense I doubt they will make the playoffs.
Oh well, at least their seaon opener attandance and local TV ratings were good.
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A deep bench no longer is a luxury for Stars
Daley, Erskine among younger players Tippett must turn to in a pinch
01:17 AM CDT on Saturday, October 8, 2005
By MIKE HEIKA / The Dallas Morning News
Although the Stars believe they have managed the new $39 million salary cap as well as possible, it's become pretty clear that you do lose a few luxuries when you chop $30 million from the payroll.
With veteran defenseman Jon Klemm again battling back spasms and questionable for tonight's contest against the Colorado Avalanche, the Stars will have to rely on young defensemen Trevor Daley and John Erskine to step up. It would be nice to have a Lyle Odelein or Dave Manson to stick in the lineup, but that kind of experience is no longer available.
"That's just a trait of the new NHL," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "It's probably just more of a focus on this team because it hasn't been that way in the past. You could afford to have a $2 million defenseman sitting there, and you just can't do that now."
Instead, it will come down to two kids with a combined NHL experience of 108 games.
In Wednesday's season-opening, 5-4 win over Los Angeles, Daley, 21, had his best night since coming in for training camp, logging 17:10 of ice time and contributing three shots on goal and four blocked shots. The 25-year-old Erskine had an early turnover and finished with 5:40 of ice time. The difference in opportunity had as much to do with the situation of the game – the Stars trailed after one period, 4-0 – as it did with Erskine's play, Tippett said.
"We were chasing the game, and Daley is a guy who can chase the game," Tippett said. "If it had been a rougher game, Johnny might have gotten the 17 minutes."
Still, it's clear the new system and the Stars' new reliance on youngsters will force tough decisions. But those decisions become easier when veterans step up – which is what happened Wednesday. Defenseman Philippe Boucher, who averages 20:40 of ice time in his career, grabbed a team-high 25:27 against the Kings, contributed three hits, three shots on goal and scored the game-winner.
"That's where I want my game to be," said Boucher, 32. "I want to play as many minutes and help as much as I can. I like playing with the top lines and playing in the last minute of the game. I want to be an important part of the team."
If Boucher does that and the kids get better, the payroll reduction may become easier to handle.
"Our D will continue to be a work in progress," Tippett said. "But we have some real options with the kids and the veterans."
The puck starts here
The NHL's debut on revamped OLN cable scored an 0.4 cable rating. That's lower than ESPN ever posted on the opening night of an NHL season. But it was a victory of sorts for OLN. The network's regular Wednesday night lineup averages a 0.1 rating.
Locally, the Stars came out of the gate with a 2.7 rating on KDFI (Channel 27), which translates into 62,000 homes in Dallas-Fort Worth. The 2003-04 opener scored a 1.7 rating for Channel 27, which averaged 1.9 for the season.
I beleive that the Stars still have a playoffs team. They still have Arnott, Guerin, Modanno, Barnes, Morrow and Lehtinen up front. And on defense, they are led by Zubov, Skoula, Klemm and Boucher. They're as solid as any in net with Turco and Hedberg is a solid back-up with experience.
I'm really glad to see that both Trevor Daley and Steve Ott made the team this year. They were both great in Hamilton for the Bulldogs last year. :0pouce:
__________________ "Too bad for Mats, he could have been playing here" ~ Robert Lang.
I have never been sold on Bill Guerrin and Modano is a year older, but the Stars do have some talent. I think they could be a low playoff seed in the west.
I think the Stars will still be in the playoffs. They'll likely be in the 6-8th position in the round, and if they did make the playoffs, they won't make it past the first round.
I'm more neutral on the stars, don't hate em or love em, so it is not big deal to me if they do miss the playoffs.
Of the eight playoff positions 4 are certain to go to Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Colorado.
That leaves 11 teams for four spots. I would guess that Detroit (if they stay healthy) Nashville and San Jose are locks on three of the four.
That leaves Dallas fighting 7 other teams for that last spot. Los Angeles, Minnesota and St Loius are among those 7 teams.
I somehow think an older slower Colorado won't make it, but as a Canuck fan that is probably wishful thinking. I would take the Blues of that list as well. The Wild well we'll have to see how they adapt to the new rules.
I'm still not sold on their goaltending, which is a huge point to become contenders... that's why I'm not convinced about them just yet. The Stars have quality at that position.
__________________ "Too bad for Mats, he could have been playing here" ~ Robert Lang.
Stars possibly not playoff bound
Stars possibly not playoff bound
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