7 Dallas Stars

The vault in Dallas was closed this summer, which, for free agents, was the equivalent of Old Faithful's failing to blow In off-seasons past the Stars dispersed cash like so much steam, spending lavishly not only on salaries but also on their sales pitches. In 2002, for example, they lured winger Bill Guerin from Boston thanks to a visit from owner Tom Hicks and a recruiting presentation on DVD. The $45 million over five years helped too.

Not so this year. Chastened by the embarrassment of a second-round playoff loss to the Mighty Ducks and by the league's uncertain labor future, Hicks made fiscal responsibility the watchword this summer.

Free agent Derian Hatcher, the team captain and a Norris Trophy finalist, was allowed to sign with conference rival Detroit. General manager Doug Armstrong tried unsuccessfully to trade Guerin, winger Pierre Turgeon ($75 million salary this season) and center Jason Arnott ($3-9 million). The front office also played hardball with holdout Vezina Trophy runner-up Marty Turco, whose 1.72 goals-against average was the lowest in the league since 1940-41. A week into camp Turco signed a three-year, $12 million contract.

The Stars' $62 million payroll ultimately was not slashed, but the lineup wasn't demonstrably improved either. Teppo Numminen, 35, acquired from the Coyotes as part of a three-team deal for defenseman Darryl Sydor, and free-agent signee Don Sweeney, 37, are capable veterans, but they will be hard-pressed to replace Hatcher's looming presence on what had been one of the league's elite blue lines. "We don't feel we're deprived in that area," says coach Dave Tippett. "We feel we have people capable of playing very physical and very hard."

The brilliant Turco and a deep group of forwards should make up for any drop-off in the defensive zone. The Stars will make the playoffs, but it's unlikely that they can overcome revamped conference powers Detroit and Colorado.

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