The Dallas Stars could be facing some off-season changes following yet another early postseason exit.

The first changes could come from the top. General manager Doug Armtrong's been the target of fan and media criticism, leading to suggestions of team owner Tom Hicks replacing him.
The coaching staff is also under the microscope, but according to the Dallas Morning News an announcement on their status isn't expected until sometime in May.

In the meantime, the talk is of which players might not return and what type of players the club needs to improve its playoff hopes for next season.

Like all NHL teams the Stars have several players eligible for unrestricted free agency in July, but a quick look at their list reveals most may not be worth retaining. Eric Lindros, Ladislav Nagy, Stu Barnes, Darryl Sydor, Matthew Barnaby, Patrik Stefan and Jon Klemm are in this group, and of these, only Barnes and Sydor have the best chance to be retained.

The Stars list of restricted free agents includes Mike Ribeiro, Jussi Jokinen, Antii Miettinen and Joel Lundqvist, all of which should be affordable re-signings.

Perhaps the club's biggest need heading into the off-season is their lack of a big-time scorer. Ribeiro led the team in points with 59, but nobody considers him a major offensive force. Team captain Brenden Morrow had 31 points in 40 games in an injury-shortened season, but his career high is 65 points in 81 games in 2005-06 and his style of game doesn't make him a candidate for 80- or 90-point seasons.

One Star who used to hit those numbers regularly is Mike Modano, but at 37 he's clearly on the downside of his career, as his performance in the series against Vancouver made clear.

There really isn't anyone on the Stars roster capable of posting big numbers, which could force management into bidding for a top-scoring free-agent forward.

Failing that, a trade could be a possibility, for as the Dallas Morning News suggested, the Stars have depth on defense that could be parlayed for more offensive depth.


The Pittsburgh Penguins aren't likely to waste any time locking up wonder kid Sidney Crosby to a contract extension.

Crosby's current contract expires in the summer of 2008, so time isn't a factor for Penguins GM Ray Shero, but by negotiating an extension now, he could get the young superstar re-signed at a figure he prefers, rather than risk a rival club setting it for him.

Crosby will be a restricted free agent next summer, meaning the Penguins retain his rights, but it's possible a rival team could send him an offer sheet for a figure that could potentially drive his worth much higher.

Shero and the Penguins would, of course, match any offer, but a rival team, rather than themselves, would've dictated the salary terms for Crosby's new contract, which the Pens front office wants to avoid.

It remains to be seen if Shero can get Crosby under contract for a new long-term deal before the start of next season, but it would certainly make sense to get it done now. As for Crosby's worth, he's supposedly hinted at taking a "hometown discount" to re-sign with the Pens, but don't expect that to be anything less than $6 million per season.


Another player who might be talking contract extension with his team is Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla.

Since the Flames first round playoff elimination Sunday, Iginla's name has been floated in media trade rumors. He's an unrestricted free agent next summer and it's believed the Flames won't be able to retain him and goaltending star Miikka Kiprusoff, who'll also become a UFA in 2008 and will be eligible for a big raise.

Iginla told the Calgary media he wants to remain with the Flames beyond next season and hopes to meet with GM Darryl Sutter later this summer to talk contract extension. Iginla just completed the second year of his three year deal that pays him $7 million per season, and while claiming he's not interested in being one of the league's highest paid players, it's doubtful he'll accept much less than his current rate of pay.