Bill Meltzer: Star Gazing: Meek Finish to Transitional Season, Bold Move in Management

Feel bad for Joe, but he just wasn't great at the trading part of things, too nice of a guy. With the Stars going to the Central Division, or Division B, next year, I hope they turn things around quickly.

Bill, I want to again express my appreciation for your excellent coverage of the Stars and I hope that you will have a few additional blogs regarding player performances this year and how they might translate into next year, as well as continuing in your dual blogging role next year.

I believe that Tom Gaglardi has the right and responsibility to mold the management team into his future vision of the franchise. I feel bad for Joe N. because when Tom Hicks hired him, he didn't know that the Hicks' financial state would totally collapse and that would shape a lot of his future actions. However, this is a results oriented business and the Stars have not been in the playoffs for five years, which I believe in some part is due to poor coaching choices. It should be noted that he did an excellent job of restocking a barren prospect pool for the Stars to rebuild with. Also, even though the Gogiloski trade is proving to be negative, it should be remembered that he obtained Kari Lehtonen for a prospect who never became a NHL caliber player and without Lehtonen, the Stars would not have been in any playoff talks the last few years.

It does appear the Stars are getting a potentially top level replacement in Jim Nill to rebuild the Stars franchise and talent level. I look forward to the upcoming draft and to next years team.

Thanks, Jerry! I do plan to write Stars blogs during the off-seaon, with at least a couple to come this week on evaluating the current personnel -- including Gulutzan -- and looking ahead to the offseason once Nill is formally announced.

As a Hawks fan and soon to be division rival I can say this is not only a great move but a scary one for me as a hawks fan if he takes the blue print that Scotty bowman used in Chicago and really builds the organization and sets them up to be a contender for years to come. Good luck and look forward to a fun division rivalry.

As a Hawks fan and soon to be division rival I can say this is not only a great move but a scary one for me as a hawks fan if he takes the blue print that Scotty bowman used in Chicago and really builds the organization and sets them up to be a contender for years to come. Good luck and look forward to a fun division rivalry.

Nill will right the ship back into a contender

As a Hawks fan and soon to be division rival I can say this is not only a great move but a scary one for me as a hawks fan if he takes the blue print that Scotty bowman used in Chicago and really builds the organization and sets them up to be a contender for years to come. Good luck and look forward to a fun division rivalry.
- golfbard

By tanking for consecutive top picks?