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Curtis Zupke grew up in Los Angeles and got hooked on hockey (along with thousands of other Southern Californians) upon Wayne Gretzky’s arrival to the Kings in 1988.

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2010-11 preview: Dallas Stars Print
Pacific
Written by J.P. Hoornstra   
Saturday, August 28, 2010 00:00

Minus lifelong Stars Mike Modano and Marty Turco, Dallas is left with a promising young team coming off an inconsistent season. Will an added year of experience be enough for a playoff push?

2009-10: 37-31-14, 88 points, missed playoffs.

Key additions: D Brad Lukowich, RW Adam Burish, G Andrew Raycroft

Key losses: C Mike Modano, G Marty Turco

Overview:
Second-year general manager Joe Nieuwendyk has embraced a youth movement in Dallas. Forty-year-old fan favorite Modano signed with the Detroit Red Wings. Another lifelong Star, Turco, signed in Chicago. Neither player is irreplaceable, but by not adding any major pieces Nieuwendyk sent the message that the team’s young nucleus will be responsible for ironing out its inconsistencies from 2009-10. James Neal, a 21-year-old restricted free agent who scored 27 goals last season, remains unsigned. So does another career Star, 37-year-old right wing Jere Lehtinen. Burish adds more muscle to an already tough bottom six, while Lukowich gives the defense a veteran presence.

What they’re missing:
Dallas could use another winger to replace the aging Lehtinen, who can no longer be considered a top-six forward for a contender. Nieuwendyk either likes what he has in-house, or is waiting for the ownership transfer to coalesce before issuing any new paychecks. With Turco, Dallas always had a third puck-mover on the back end; it’s not clear if the Stars have enough puck-moving defensemen to complement Kari Lehtonen, who can’t handle a puck like Turco. It’s also worth asking if Marc Crawford — who won a Cup with a veteran-laden Colorado squad, but struggled with youngsters in Los Angeles — is the right coach for this team.

Players to watch in camp:
G Jack Campbell isn’t expected to make the NHL club, but the 11th overall pick in the June entry draft has a chance to show how close he is. D Severin Blindenbacher was signed to a two-way contract after showcasing his talents in Vancouver with the Swiss Olympic team.

HPT is counting down one team each day until NHL training camps open on Sept. 17.
Tomorrow: Detroit Red Wings

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Last Updated on Monday, August 30, 2010 04:11