Skip navigation

Season preview: Stars

Stanley Cups: 1

2011-'12 record: 42-35-1-4, 89 points (4th in Pacific, 10th in West)

2011-'12 playoffs: Did not qualify

Coach: Glen Gulutzan (42-35-5, 2nd NHL year, 1st team)

Top returning scorer: LW Loui Eriksson (26 goals, 45 assists, 71 points)

Top returning goalie: Kari Lehtonen (32-22-4, 2.33, .922)

Key additions: C Cody Eakin; LW Ray Whitney; D Aaron Rome; C Derek Roy; RW Jaromir Jagr.

Key subtractions: D Mark Fistric; C Mike Ribeiro; C Steve Ott; D Adam Pardy; ; RW Radek Dvorak; C Jake Dowell; G Andrew Raycroft; RW Adam Burish.

Goaltending: Lehtonen posted a career-high save percentage and won 30 games for the second straight season. He also started last season with a franchise-record seven successive wins. But he’s still looking for his first Stanley Cup victory.

Player to watch: D Brenden Dillon. Deal of potential UFA Fistric to Edmonton opened up a spot for a young rearguard and Dillon, 22, might fit the bill best. He’s an undrafted prospect with size (6-3, 228) who’s been playing solid hockey with the AHL Texas Stars. He’s physical and a strong skater who possesses a powerful shot.

Icing: Stars were last in NHL on the power play (13.7 per cent), explaining the moves for veteran skill forwards Jagr and Whitney and the deal for Roy . . . RW Michael Ryder produced a career-high 35 goals last season . . . LW Jamie Benn, the club’s second-leading scorer last season, remains an unsigned restricted free agent.

Bob Duff writes regularly for NBCSports.com and covers the NHL for the Windsor (Ontario) Star; The Associated Press contributed to this story.

advertisement
Video: NHL from NBC Sports
Highlights: Pens hang seven on Sens
The Senators held a lead twice in the first period, but Pittsburgh's offensive fire power proved to be too much to handle. James Neal and Jarome Iginla each score two as the Penguins cruise to an impressive 7-3 victory in Game 4.

Slideshow
Image: Los Angeles Kings Parade and Rally
  Royal treatment
Check out photos from the Kings' Stanley Cup victory parade in LA.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
  Stanley Cup playoffs
Check out photos from the NHL postseason action.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
  Stanley Cup winners
A look at the teams that have earned the right to hoist Lord Stanley's prize since 1965.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Image: Celebrities At The LA Kings Game
  Celebrity fans
Some of Hollywood's hottest celebrities take in NHL games.
Slideshow
New Jersey Devils v Los Angeles Kings - Game Four
  Icy Hot
Check out the ice girls from around the National Hockey League.

more photos