Homers On The Range

There are a few things that you need to know before viewing this fight clip. One, Krys Barch is one tough SOB, and one of my favorite players. He can hold his own against any fighter in the NHL, but last night just was not his night. Daniel Carcillo is a wild swinging ball of energy who loses a lot of fights, but puts on quite a show. Later in this game Steve Ott (Jerrod’s favorite player) found Carcillo and evened things up a bit with a good fight, and the Stars ended up winning the game. But I couldn’t stop myself from posting this video. You take the good with the bad, and this is bad for Krys Barch. Good looking out, bro…

I can’t tell you how happy this makes me. For a guy like Krys Barch to be rewarded for his hard work and tough play is a great thing for the Dallas Stars organization. I guarantee you that every player in that locker room gave him a pat on the back and breathed a sigh of relief.

You see, having Barch on this team not only holds other teams accountable for their cheap shots and questionable hits on the Stars key players, it also frees up other guys to just play hockey and not worry about the other, grittier, aspects of the game. Guys like Steve Ott who is having a career year because he doesn’t have to drop the gloves and stick up for guys as much. Barch will fight anybody who comes calling and that says a lot to the guys who suit up and go to battle with you night in and night out.

To Brett Hull, or whomever made this deal happen, thank you. From one Dallas Stars fan that I’m sure speaks for many, thank you.

In case you missed it last night, the Dallas Stars fought their way to a 5th straight victory against the Minnesota Wild. I always love watching these games because all of the miserable people in Minnesota get so worked up when the Stars come to town. Maybe it’s because The Dallas Stars used to be the Minnesota Northstars, or maybe it’s because they live in Minnesota and the highlight of their week is getting trashed and forgetting where they live. Who knows?

All I know is that the game last night was great. Lots of hitting, a really good fight between Krys Barch (my favorite Star) and Aaron Voros, which can be viewed here later today, and lots of end to end action. Both goalies were outstanding, with Mike Smith getting his 5th career shutout. I know that some people can’t get into hockey for whatever reason, but I’m telling you, start watching the Dallas Stars. This scrappy, talented team is leading the Pacific Division by 6 points over the Ducks and Sharks and they are on a roll right now. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

Say what you will, but I like Stars General Manager Doug Armstrong. I think he’s done a helluva lot for this franchise since he came on board 17 years ago. Since he’s been in the organization the Stars have won seven division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, appeared in two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals and won the Stanley Cup in 1999. I mean, talk about a guy who’s been a part of some good years. So, “What’s the problem?” you ask.

The problem is the sports mentality of “What have you done for me lately?” And therein lies the rub. The Stars have been eliminated in the first round of their last three playoff appearances, and are 7-7-3 this season. Changes need to be made, by golly, and the change that will elicit the most positive outcome is to fire the GM. Makes sense to me. Or not.

We might as well tell Dave Tippett to wear a blue miniskirt at every home game that falls on a Tuesday and hope that makes the guys play harder. You can no more expect a team to win under a different GM than you can expect Modano to drop the gloves against David Koci the next time the Stars play the Blackhawks.

The lackluster record the Stars hold this year can be summed up in one word. Consistency. And the fact that they have none is the big issue. One game they look like world-beaters in punishing the defending Stanley Cup champions 5-0 on the road, then the next game they get beat by the mediocre Coyotes 5-0 at home. It makes no sense.

In my opinion, part of the problem is that they have no sharpshooter that can score at any time. Sure they’ve got Modano, but he’s old. They’ve got Jokinen, Hagman, and Halpern, but they are part of the problem, not the solution (in being extremely inconsistant this year). They also don’t have a big guy who will drop the gloves to defend his fellow players and keep the opposing teams tough guys at bay with hard checks and malicious intent. Sure, Krys Barch will go with anyone at any time, but he’s only suited up for a handful of games this year. Todd Fedoruk has only proven that he can hurt your hands with his face should you choose to drop the gloves with him.

In summary, since I’ve already wasted far too much time (and too many words) with this post, the Stars don’t have a legitimate goal scorer, they don’t have a tough guy that dresses regularly (if you say Brad Winchester, be prepared to get a stick in the gut) and they have inconsistent goal tending so far this year. Smith and Turco have been dazzling at times, but lackluster and befuddled are words that more often come up.

None of this will change because you change who is wearing the suit in the front office, but I guess Tom Hicks is trying to give the fans the impression that he actually pays attention to the record of his hockey team, instead of jet-setting around the world looking to spend his money on yet another Italian soccer club.

You want to see real change? Get Tom Hicks to sell the team to someone who is devoted to winning and doing whatever it will take to make that happen (see Mark Cuban and the Mavericks). Until then, quite wasting my time by shuffling the cards on the top of the deck when you are dealing from the bottom. That’s only going to get you so far, and it isn’t going to matter when all the chips are pushed into the middle of the table and you’re stuck holding a pair of 2s.

Good luck Doug Armstrong, and thank you for your many years of dedication and sacrifice. You will be missed.