While finishing just one game over .500 last season, the Dallas Stars have made hardly any moves to better their team. However, when you look at the roster, it does not seem like a bad move on their part to keep themselves as is.
Defensively the team has moved veteran Steve Begin to Boston, while acquiring Karlis Skrastine from Florida and Jeff Woywitka from St. Louis. The acquisitions should only increase the depth of the roster, but not really adding any star talent.
Offensively the team has lost Brendan Morrison who was claimed off waivers by the Anaheim Ducks, later to be signed by the Washington Capitals.
In the goaltender position, Alex Auld has been picked up from the Ottawa Senators . Auld is coming off of a lack luster season, with only 16 wins in 42 games played, but should play an excellent role of back up to starter Marty Turco.
So what is there to look forward to? Well, a lot really. The team is very well balanced with enough veterans working with youth, as well as that middle tier who are playing at their peak.
Mike Modano is working with Fabian Brunnstrom on the third line. Brunnstrom had 17 goals in 55 games played in his rookie season last year, and is only to be expected to increase that number.
With Brad Richards second full season with the Stars this year, he heads a line with well rounded Jere Lehtinen and 22 year old James Neal. James, who was ranked second in goals amongst NHL rookies last year, looks to be joined this season by his brother Michael who is also on the Stars roster this season.
And perhaps the most deadly of line combinations for the Stars is that of Mike Ribeiro centering Brenden Morrow and Loui Eriksson. Morrow, who was out for the majority of the season last year with right Knee surgery, looks to be healthy and able to improve upon his 74 point 2007-2008 season. 24 year old Eriksson is entering his 4th season in the NHL with the Stars, and in each of those seasons have increased his points by a minimum of 10 points. Last year he netted 36 goals in 82 games played. Mike Ribeiro, who has been glorified because of his amazing shoot-out goal against the Avalanche last year, is more than capable of putting up 80 plus points this season.
The Stars are in a tough Pacific division with the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks, but should be competitive for second within the division, if not for first.
