'Splain This: Why Did the Stars Fire Tippett?

(Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

Experience on the blue line: In 2007-2008 The Stars defensive corps started five veterans, with Trevor Daley still developing and Matt Niskanen being the youngster.

Yet in ‘08-‘09 the D-corps started three veterans Stephane Robidas, Sergei Zubov, and Phillipe Boucher (Boucher traded to Pittsburgh after 15 games for Daryl Sydor, who played 65 games for the Stars). The other three players had seven years of playing time between them (Trevor Daley 4, Matt Niskanen 2, Nick Grossman 1).

Leadership on defense and power play: 07-08 Sergei Zubov, the “Minister of Defense” in Dallas plays 46 games, with 35 points scored.

08-09 Zubov was sidelined after only 10 games, and wasn’t at 100% for those contributing only 4 assists.

Avery: Need I mention the Sean Avery debacle? Yes, because locker room chemistry is critical, and his presence (which was a huge mistake by former Co-GM Brett Hull – Nick Hagman should have been retained in the summer for the same money) was something you could tell made a palpable difference in the room.

This was evident in the mood, and what wasn’t being said, after Avery’s departure in December.

Timeliness of injuries: After the struggles of the late fall, and the absence of Avery, the team came together, started to get healthy, and was showing in January what they were really capable of. But losing Brad Richards in February resulted in a dive that the team was unable to recover from.

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