The Dallas Stars, off to a disappointing start this season, fired
general manager Doug Armstrong on November 13th 2007 and promoted Brett
Hull and Les Jackson as co-GMs on an interim basis. Hull has garnished
admiration from NHL playes throughout his career and retirement
ruffling the feathers of many an NHL suit by being very vocal in his
criticisms of Gary Bettman, NHL commissioner, and also the Versus
Network, rival NHL broadcaster of NBC, for whom Hull is a part time
analyst.
I've always admired owner Tom Hicks' penchant for
maintaining a competitive and entertaining NHL team in Dallas (though
one has to question severely his follies as owner of the Texas
Rangers).
When the move was announced Hicks stated "As an
owner I have to be responsible for one person in hockey operations and
that is the general manager of the team.I thought that the team needed
a change in direction. I know that change can be healthy and it was my
determination that this move needed to be made.I want the Dallas Stars
to return to being one of the elite teams in the league."
At the
time of Armstrong's firing, the Stars were 7-7-3. Since the removal of
Doug Armstrong, the Dallas Stars are one of the hottest teams in the
NHL.
The verdict is in on the managerial change. Since that
shake-up, the Stars have have won 15 games, lost 5, and recorded one
overtime loss. They have moved from the division cellar to first place
in the Pacific Division with an impressive 5 point lead over 2nd place
San Jose.
This team is scoring goals the way contenders should,
and having fun doing it! The latest game is a great example. The home
win against Minnesota featured a four-goal third period and 14 players
with at least one point in an 8-3 win over the defensively-minded Wild.
That tied for the most goals allowed in Wild history.
That was
the Stars' first eight-goal performance since 2005 (9-1 vs. Chicago when Stu Barnes had a hat trick) and was just their third game of eight
goals or more since 1997.
Heading into third period, the Stars are 14-1-3 when leading after two periods.
I
guess that as any Stars fan, I'm finally coming to terms with the fact
that Modano isn't ageless. The second line of Ott-Modano-Halpern is
exciting but having Morrow-Ribeiro-Miettinen on the first line is
reminiscent of the days with Modano-Hull-Langenbrunner in 1999.
Led
by Mike Ribeiro (having the best season of his career) and captain
Brenden Morrow( isn't huge, but he isn't small either, and he plays
bigger than he is), this Stars team is a legitimate 4 line team that is
getting it done one way or another on any given night. Winning by
either defense, offense, net-minding, power play or the shootout.
As for what happens in the playoffs, we'll deal with that when the time comes, but for now it's a GREAT time to be a Stars fan!
I hail from a large family where after school we went in 7 different directions, to either play or coach in every sport available. As a child I got in free to the Cowboy games at the Cotton Bowl as a tag-along to my Dad's credentials. It was the ultimate childhood dream scenario to play football there, under the lights with the kids of other players and personnel after the games. I have been a Cowboys fan since those days in the 60's and like Willie Nelson says "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys". I've witnessed a few Stars Stanley Cup games and I have been a Mavericks fan since day one. Hopefully, in the future, G.W. Bush will re-take control of the Texas Rangers and they will once again become competitive.
manager Doug Armstrong on November 13th 2007 and promoted Brett
Hull and Les Jackson as co-GMs on an interim basis. Hull has garnished
admiration from NHL playes throughout his career and retirement
ruffling the feathers of many an NHL suit by being very vocal in his
criticisms of Gary Bettman, NHL commissioner, and also the Versus
Network, rival NHL broadcaster of NBC, for whom Hull is a part time
analyst.
and entertaining NHL team in Dallas (though
one has to question severely his follies as owner of the Texas
Rangers). 
Doug Armstrong, the Dallas Stars are one of the hottest teams in the
NHL. 
and 14 players
with at least one point in an 8-3 win over the defensively-minded Wild.
That tied for the most goals allowed in Wild history.
Led
by Mike Ribeiro (having the best season of his career) and captain
Brenden Morrow( isn't huge, but he isn't small either, and he plays
bigger than he is), this Stars team is a legitimate 4 line team that is
getting it done one way or another on any given night. Winning by
either defense, offense, net-minding, power play or the shootout.
