(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
I will be previewing all 30 NHL clubs. I will be looking at their available salary cap room, the additions and deletions from the 2008-09 rosters, and where I think they will stack up in their division and conference for the 2009-10 season.
Let's get a move on with the Dallas Stars, which play in the Pacific Division and the Western Conference.
“I'm just going to say one thing. I'm really happy to be back in Calgary; I love Canada. I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don't know what that's about, but enjoy the game tonight.”
Moments after Sean Avery called over the assembled media in the visiting dressing room at the Saddledome, some of the problems to the start of the Stars season seemed to be revealed. Former co-G.M., Brett Hull went to bat for Avery during the off-season to get him signed to an UFA contract, but the Stars stumbled out of the gate.
Colin Campbell was quick to suspend Avery indefinitely before the Stars played the Flames that night. The comments seemed to be pointed at Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf, who is currently dating Avery’s ex-girlfriend and Calgary-born Elisha Cuthbert, and the NHL wanted to avoid a serious on-ice incident.
After the comments were made, there was a noticeable decline in Phaneuf's play, but for the next couple of months, the Stars fought from 15th to as high as sixth before falling out of the playoffs by season’s end.
Stars’ leaders were very out-spoken about their happiness to see Avery out of their locker room. Mike Modano and Marty Turco were the most outspoken about Avery and even though it seemed to be a relief to have him removed, it will cost the Stars, $1,937,500 in salary cap space over the next three years to have him out of Dallas.
Significant Additions
The unrestricted free agent deals that were signed to join the Stars this season are as follows; Alex Auld (Ottawa), Warren Peters (Calgary), Karlis Skrastins (Florida) and Jeff Woywitka (St. Louis).
Significant Deletions
The unrestricted free agents that have moved on from Dallas are; Steve Begin (Boston), Chris Connor (Pittsburgh), Brendan Morrison (Washington) and Joel Lundqvist and Sergei Zubov went home to play in their home countries, Sweden and Russia, respectively.
Remaining Stars, which are yet to have signed a deal with another franchise, are; John Lammers, Alexander Naurov, Mark Parrish, Tobias Stephan, Darryl Sydor and Landon Wilson.
The Stars currently have 22 players, 12 forwards, eight defensemen and two goalies with roster spots heading into training camp. Currently with the Avery cap hit, the Stars are sitting at $48.9 million for their salary cap.
Top Young Faces in the Organization
The Dallas Stars will have three young players on two-way contracts that made impacts last season. Fabian Brunnstrom, Jamie Neal and Matt Niskanen will look to lead the Stars now and in the future.
Here are the top young faces that will be looking to impress the Stars’ organization this season.
We're going to send you the most entertaining Dallas Stars articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
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