Don't Burish me That's the Dallas Stars. They are 11-2-2 with last night's 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. With the win, the Stars also jumped the Detroit Red Wings for the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference.
Considering its mid-December, that means nothing. On the other hand, I'd rather be No. 1 than No. 10. Especially for a team everyone largely ignored in the pre-season.
I wonder if certain things aren't coming together. The better goaltending hides whatever cracks there are on the blue line; however, it should be noted that play defensively has improved quite a bit this season as some of the youngsters are finding their way.
Also, you wonder if the talent isn't just merely playing to its potential. It was two years ago that this same squad (just slightly older) was in the Western Conference Finals -- a spot you don't trip into.
The talk now is whether or not the cash-strapped Stars will trade their best player, Brad Richards, who is a free agent after the season. As the Stars are probably unable to re-sign him, the thought is they can trade him at his peak value (as one of the better points guys in the league) and get something in return, at least.
Look at it like this, it'd be like the Rangers trading Josh Hamilton during the July trade deadline this last season. It's tough to send a good message to fans and your team by trading your best player in a legit playoff push. I can't imagine the Stars doing that unless they get $1-for-$1 value on him and that never happens.
Notes:
1. Credit GM Joe Nieuwendyk for finding players with a limited budget. Adam Burish and Karlis Skrastins both tallied rare goals last night. Both have been regular parts to this thing.
2. Jamie Benn, who I say has been a top 5 guy for the Stars this season, notched his second shorthanded goal of the year. He has three total shorthanded points.
3. The Stars are creeping in the penalty-kill numbers. Now at 81 percent for the season.
4. Nieuwendyk's decision on Kari Lehtonen is looking gold, too.
