Bill Meltzer: Star Gazing: Did 'Pesky Stars' Sacrifice Too Much Grit in Off-Season?

They really ought not to have lost Ott.

I think grit is overrated. There is a reason that guys like Burish, Tootoo, Carcillo, Bertuzzi, etc, move from team to team. Ott was a fan favorite that's why he stayed so long.

The Pesky Stars were fun to watch, but I'd like to be watching past the regular season. "Pesky Stars" sounds better then "yeah we lost Richards, but we overpaid Ryder, don't count on any other free agents!"

All those guys that were the Stars missed the playoffs year after year, let's move on into the post Hicks era. Hopefully the era of "hanging in there" and "just missed the playoffs" is over.

They really ought not to have lost Ott.
- Mr_Clean

They will regret the Ott for Roy trade.

They will regret the Ott for Roy trade.
- Gunner Staal

Thank You, Stars organization.

They will regret the Ott for Roy trade.
- Gunner Staal

Agreed. Never thought very highly of Roy, though I suppose if he produces points like he has in the past, he can be somewhat useful...

Like I posted elsewhere a bunch of forwards with offensive talent but no defensive presence and a pedestrian goalie, and a no name untalented defense, with the exception of Goligoski. Great off season but expect a lot of 5-4 games....

Like I posted elsewhere a bunch of forwards with offensive talent but no defensive presence and a pedestrian goalie, and a no name untalented defense, with the exception of Goligoski. Great off season but expect a lot of 5-4 games....
- yave1964

Lol Kari>Howard hands down.
Loui and benn are two great two way players, loui being one of the best in the league.
And right now I'd take our d over the wings d.

Like I posted elsewhere a bunch of forwards with offensive talent but no defensive presence and a pedestrian goalie, and a no name untalented defense, with the exception of Goligoski. Great off season but expect a lot of 5-4 games....
- yave1964

You underrate Lehtonen. He has been tremendous in goal for the Stars the last two seasons.

You underrate Lehtonen. He has been tremendous in goal for the Stars the last two seasons.
- bmeltzer

I use the old Ken Dryden comparison with goalies, I think of Lehtonen as a good bad team goalie, he makes a million saves and looks great then gives up a couple of softies. He has done nothing to date to carry his team in to the post season, in Atlanta or Dallas and until he does he has to be considered IMO just another stop gap goalie until the real one shows up. I dont think he is any where near the class of Turco or Belfour, and do not believe any team with him in net can be taken serious as a cup contender. Not trolling, I watch quite a few stars games because for some reason last year they played on opposite days a lot from my Wings and Lehtonen did look brilliant at times but then let in softies ala Osgood. Good luck this year. Glad to see the players ratified today.

I use the old Ken Dryden comparison with goalies, I think of Lehtonen as a good bad team goalie, he makes a million saves and looks great then gives up a couple of softies. He has done nothing to date to carry his team in to the post season, in Atlanta or Dallas and until he does he has to be considered IMO just another stop gap goalie until the real one shows up. I dont think he is any where near the class of Turco or Belfour, and do not believe any team with him in net can be taken serious as a cup contender. Not trolling, I watch quite a few stars games because for some reason last year they played on opposite days a lot from my Wings and Lehtonen did look brilliant at times but then let in softies ala Osgood. Good luck this year. Glad to see the players ratified today.
- yave1964

Wow.

I use the old Ken Dryden comparison with goalies, I think of Lehtonen as a good bad team goalie, he makes a million saves and looks great then gives up a couple of softies. He has done nothing to date to carry his team in to the post season, in Atlanta or Dallas and until he does he has to be considered IMO just another stop gap goalie until the real one shows up. I dont think he is any where near the class of Turco or Belfour, and do not believe any team with him in net can be taken serious as a cup contender. Not trolling, I watch quite a few stars games because for some reason last year they played on opposite days a lot from my Wings and Lehtonen did look brilliant at times but then let in softies ala Osgood. Good luck this year. Glad to see the players ratified today.
- yave1964

It is evident you don't watch many Stars games. He steals games all over the place. He is easily in the Top 15 goalies in the league, probably closer to 10th than 15th.

It is evident you don't watch many Stars games. He steals games all over the place. He is easily in the Top 15 goalies in the league, probably closer to 10th than 15th.
- mblightning

Okay, let me make it clear, I am not a Lehtonen hater, I just feel that he is an average goalie. You made the comment that he is easily a top 15 goalie probably closer to 10, so I decided for fun to rank the goalies. This is my list, it is arbitrary, of course, and I will leave Jim Howard out to remove any partiality.
THE CREAM OF THE CROP
Lundquist
Rinne
quick

ELITE OR DARN NEAR
Halak
Fluery
Elliott
Cam Ward
Ryan Miller
Carey Price
Corey Schneider
Luongo

YOUNG STUDS
Holtby
Jonathon Bernier
Tukka Rask

EVERYONE ELSE

I would place Lehtonen in a group with Niemi, Kirosoff, Brodeur, Bryzgalov Mike smith and Varlamov. If you throw out the young kids who have potential but havent done it yet, you can easily see a case for Lehtonen around twelth or so, but if the defense doesnt come around he could be closer to twentieth. BTW I always draft him as a sleeper pick in fantasy because of the saves and percentage which are usually up there with the big boys or a smidge below.
i just dont think he has proven anything yet. He needs to get the Stars to the playoffs and win a series or two before he can break free of the players I have him bunched with is all.
BTW I think Eriksson is a flat out stud and if you guys ever wanna give us the one swede we dont have you are welcome to. And Benn is as good as it gets as well. Your signings in the offseason should get you to the playoffs.
Again, good luck this year.