Below You will find the January Schedule for the Dallas Stars, including the TV Channel, TV Time and Day / Date.

Dallas Stars at St. Louis Blues
Day / Date: Sunday January 2 2011
TV Time: 5:00 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars at Chicago Blackhawks
Day / Date: Wednesday January 5 2011
TV Time: 7:30 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs New York Rangers
Day / Date: Friday January 7 2011
TV Time: 7:30 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild
Day / Date: Sunday January 9 2011
TV Time: 7:30 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs Edmonton Oilers
Day / Date: Tuesday January 11 2011
TV Time: 7:30 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs Atlanta Thrashers
Day / Date: Saturday January 15 2011
TV Time: 7:00 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs LA Kings
Day / Date: Monday January 17 2011
TV Time: 7:30 PM Central Time
TV Channel: TSN2, Versus (HD)

Dallas Stars at Edmonton Oilers
Day / Date: Thursday January 20 2011
TV Time: 7:30 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars at Calgary Flames
Day / Date: Friday January 21 2011
TV Time: 8:00 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks
Day / Date: Monday January 24 2011
TV Time: 9:00 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs Edmonton Oilers
Day / Date: Wednesday January 26 2011
TV Time: 6:30 PM Central Time
TV Channel: TSN, Fox Sports SW

The Stars have been red hot so far this season, as of 12/6 they are sitting in second place in the Western Conference. It appears getting rid of the older veterans has actually helped the teams chemistry, and Kari Lehtonen has been standing on his head in net. Another factor may be the loss of Tom Hicks as owner, the Texas Rangers proved this earlier this year as they made their way to the World Series after the team was sold. Below you will find the game times, TV Channel and tickets.

Dallas Stars vs Washington Capitals
Day / Date: Thursday – December 2 2010
Game Time: 7:30PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild
Day / Date: Saturday – December 4 2010
Game Time: 7:ooPM Central Time
TV Channel: TXA 21

Dallas Stars at Columbus Blue Jackets
Day / Date: Monday – December 6 2010
Game Time: 6:00PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars at Chicago Blackhawks
Day / Date: Wednesday – December 8 2010
Game Time: 7:30PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs Carolina Hurricanes
Day / Date: Friday – December 10 2010
Game Time: 7:30PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars at Phoenix Coyotes
Day / Date: Saturday – December 11 2010
Game Time: 7:30PM Central Time
TV Channel: TXA 21

Dallas Stars at San Jose Sharks
Day / Date: Monday – December 13 2010
Game Time: 9:30PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs San Jose Sharks
Day / Date: Thursday – December 16 2010
Game Time: 7:30PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars at Columbus Blue Jackets
Day / Date: Saturday – December 18 2010
Game Time: 6:00PM Central Time
TV Channel: TXA 21

Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings
Day / Date: Sunday – December 19 2010
Game Time: 4:00PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs Montreal Canadiens
Day / Date: Tuesday – December 21 2010
Game Time: 8:00PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs Calgary Flames
Day / Date: Thursday – December 23 2010
Game Time: 7:30PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs Phoenix Coyotes
Day / Date: Sunday – December 26 2010
Game Time: 7:00 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars at Nashville Predators
Day / Date: Tuesday – December 28 2010
Game Time: 7:00 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs Detroit Red Wings
Day / Date: Wednesday – December 29 2010
Game Time: 7:30 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs Vancouver Canucks
Day / Date: Friday – December 31 2010
Game Time: 7:00 PM Central Time
TV Channel: TXA 21

When a team misses the playoffs, the main job for the GM is to bring in players or coaches that will help the team have a better shot at making the playoffs next season. What makes it worse for Dallas is they have very limited cap room, and were expected to be fairly silent during free agency.

Surprisingly, the Stars signed ex-Blackahawk Adam Burish to a $1.15 million contract as well as Andrew Raycroft to a $700,000 contract. The signings brought the Stars closer to the magic numer of $45 million, leaving people to wonder if there is anymore wiggle room for restricted free agents Nicklas Grossman, Matt Niskanen, and James Neal.

The signing of Raycroft is a very smart one. His contract is structured so he could either be sent to the AHL and be paid only $105,000 instead of the $750,000 if he’s in the NHL. That’s only in the first year though.

With Marty Turco testing free agency, the Stars’ number one goaltender is Kari Lehtonen. Raycroft has the chance to beat out Brent Hrahn for the back job behind Lehtonen, but if he doesn’t he’ll be a fine fit in the minors.

Already the Stars are making some moves that, their GM, Joe Nieuwendyk, makes them “tough to play against.” Signing Burish is a great step in achieving that.

Burish doesn’t get you a lot of points, but he brings a lot of energy and toughness to the ice. He’s not afraid to come up with a huge check, or even drop the gloves.

Many questions still linger over what will be the outcome of the restricted free agents, Grossman, Niskanen, and Neal .

Neal has a very good chance of receiving an offer sheet. Nieuwendyk said he and his team are prepared if it comes to that. The Stars would be able to match any offer sheet, but who’s to say the offer becomes too expensive for the Stars to match?

“We’re not afraid of an offer sheet,” Nieuwendyk said. “I think that threat has been there. We can’t conduct how we want to put the team together in the fear of an offer sheet being thrown at us. James Neal we fully anticipate will be on our team and that’s what we’re looking at.”

Those restricted free agents will remain the main component of the Stars’ off-season signings. They’ve managed to surprise a lot of people by singing a few free agents, but I am almost positive it stops with them. The cap room has to be tightening.

By trying to build a “tougher” team, the Stars and their staff are attempting to bring some hope into the franchise and its fans. It’ll be interesting to see if it works out as planned next season.

This post is sponsored by Markland-Hanley
Founded by Dale Markland and Tara Hanley, Markland Hanley is a Texas based law firm with a national practice.

More About Markland-Hanley
• Dale Markland – Partner at Markland Hanley | Corporate Compliance Insights
• Markland Hanley – The Technical Litigation Firm
• Dale Markland – Partner Markland-Hanley

Long-time Dallas Star, Mike Modano, was very “disappointed” that he won’t be in Dallas anymore, the franchise he played for his entire career. Dallas thought it was time to move on, and for Modano to move on as well.

But to where?

In recent interviews, after the Stars announced they would not be resigning Modano, Modano says that he still wants and thinks he can play for a NHL team. The 40 year old center isn’t getting any younger, casting doubt on whether he can take the brutality of another full regular season.

My advice for the man would be to retire. Modano is already an American hockey legend. He holds records for the most goals scored by an American-born player(557), most points by an American-born player(1,359), most playoff points by an American-born player in a career(145), and the most game played by an American-born forward(1,459).

Modano also holds 15 franchise records. They include games played, power play goals, goals, shorthanded goals, assists, even strength goals, points, game-winning goals, overtime goals, power play assists, penalty shots attempted, shots, goals in a season by a center, highest plus/minus in a season, and most hat tricks in a season.

Retiring now would cement Modano’s already huge reputation and the amount of respect he has with many NHL fans around the world, and it would also prevent him from somewhat losing some of that respect and reputation by playing a few more, non-productive seasons.

Everyone loved Ken Griffey, but the last few years were painful to watch, and it made many people happy that he choose to retire, knowing he couldn’t play at this level anymore. Modano can save himself from those last few years by retiring now. It would not be a bitter retirement. He’d have all the love and praise from the franchise he loves and that loves him so much as well.

If Modano decides not to retire, there is no doubt he will get offers. As I am writing this, Espndallas.com reports Modano was contacted by the Detroit Red Wings as well as some other teams. All is still up in the air, but there are some teams that I think Modano could most likely head to.

One of those teams being the St. Louis Blues. Former Stars GM Doug Armstrong is in the St. Louis organization. It’s not uncommon for players to head somewhere a former coach, or in this case, GM is. St. Luis, a young up-and-coming team, would highly benefit from a veteran like Modano.

Another intriguing team would be Phoenix. Where former Stars’s coach Dave Tippett is. It’s another case of going where a former coach or GM is.

Phoenix surprised many teams and fans last postseason, playing extremely well against the Red Wings, almost beating the Wings. The team defiantly has talent. Could Modano want another shot at a Stanley Cup with a different team. His knowledge would defiantly help the young players on Phoenix.

Other than that it’s fair game, and totally in the hands of Modano.

This post is sponsored by Markland-Hanley
Founded by Dale Markland and Tara Hanley, Markland Hanley is a Texas based law firm with a national practice.

More About Markland-Hanley
• Dale Markland – Partner at Markland Hanley | Corporate Compliance Insights
• Markland Hanley – The Technical Litigation Firm
• Dale Markland – Partner Markland-Hanley

Mike Modano – NHL Records

• 557 Most goals by a US born player
• 1359 Most Points by an US born player
• 145 Most playoff points by an US born player
• 1459 Most games played by an US born forward

Mike Modano – Minnesota / Dallas Stars Records

• Games played regular season 1459 and playoffs 174
• Goals scored regular season 557 and playoffs 58
• Assists regular season 802 and playoffs 87
• Points regular season 1359 and playoffs 145

Texas Rangers

The Rangers sit atop the AL West by two games over Oakland, but they didn’t have the best week, dropping two of three in Chicago against the Cubs in interleague play, and then they split a two-game set in Kansas City.  However, the big news comes off the field, where the Rangers will be funded in the interim by Major League Baseball until the team’s bankruptcy case concludes.  On the field, it doesn’t get any easier for the Rangers as they travel to Minnesota for a three-game set against the Central-leading Twins, then they head to Chicago again, this time to face the White Sox.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys’ NFL betting odds will be based on their receivers’ ability to provide targets for Tony Romo, and Roy Williams is already hinting at a fierce competition in the group.  However, the Cowboys took a step backwards as rookie Dez Bryant left OTAs (Organized Team Activities) with stomach problems, although he should be fine in the long term.  Bryant has already battled a hip pointer, and his life in Dallas is off to a rocky start.

Dallas Mavericks

Dirk Nowitzki would obviously make Germany his World Cup Group D betting choice, but will he choose to stay with the only team he has ever played for?  The former MVP surprisingly opted out of his contract for next season, making an already-historic free-agent class even better.  The odds are very good that Nowitzki will stay in Dallas, and given his production, he’s earned the right to see what he can get on the market before a new CBA is installed.  In other news, Mark Cuban was fined $100,000 for letting everyone in on the worst-kept secret in basketball: owners are interested in LeBron James.

Dallas Stars

The Stars are slated to pick 11^th in the NHL draft, which will take place on June 25-26 in Los Angeles, and most seem to think that they’ll aim to take defenseman Derek Forbort, a massive player who laces them up for the US Developmental Team.  Forbort is 6’4” and almost 200 pounds, but at 18 years old, he’s still has yet to fill out, really.  The Stars weren’t a great defensive team last year, and they’ll be looking to shore up that part of the team first.  If Forbort is gone, the play could be Nino Niederreiter, a Swiss winger who plays in Portland, or Stanislav Galiev, a Russian winger who skates for Moncton.  But above all, the Stars are just looking for a small boost to their online betting odds for next season.

If it takes a Texas Rangers Bankruptcy to force this sale and get the team of a meager budget that threatens to handcuff the team again this season at the trade deadline I am all for it. The team may still be handcuffed at the trade deadline because of the Rangers Bankruptcy, but at least we know we won’t be losing anymore first round draft picks this summer because Tom Hicks is a financial doucher.

The only reason that I am not more excited about the teams sale is because of after watching how messy this got before finally a Texas Rangers Bankruptcy forced the sale of the team is knowing that the Dallas Stars are about to go through the same thing. Hopefully the Hicks and his band of village idiots will be able to learn something from this process, but I doubt it because no matter what they say, it will always be about the bottom line not the team.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers rebounded from a sweep in Toronto to take both of their games at home against the Los Angeles Angels, and they took the first game of their two-game set with Baltimore on Wednesday.  Nelson Cruz led the way with nine RBIs over the last week, while Vladdy Guerrero added a homer and six RBIs.  Starters C.J. Wilson and Rich Harden struggled over the week, but Naftali Feliz converted both of his save opportunities.

The next week brings a visit from the Chicago Cubs, and MLB baseball betting odds should favor the Rangers at home, where they were 16-7 as of Thursday.  Then, the Rangers will head to Kansas City for a two-game set with the lowly Royals.

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks are still trying to figure out if they have cap room this year, as Dirk Nowitzki has a player option for $21.5 million this year.  It’s highly unlikely that the Mavericks will be parting ways with their star, who has spent all 12 of his NBA seasons in Dallas, but their major mission would be to get rid of Erick Dampier, who is slated to make $13.1 million next season, which is outlandish.  Caron Butler’s contract is also expiring like Dampier’s after next year, but the thing with him is, he can be productive.  The Mavericks may try and re-sign Brendan Haywood, who took Dampier’s job after he was traded from Washington with Butler.  The Mavericks likely won’t be a major player in this year’s free-agent bonanza, but they should have plenty of cap space for 2011, when there will be an impressive list of players on the market.

Dallas Stars

NHL betting players saw Dallas decline to offer another contract to long-time goalie Marty Turco, who will be looking for a new team after eight years with the franchise, and the Stars instead signed Kari Lehtonen to a $10.65 million contract over four years.  The Stars picked Lehtonen up from Atlanta in February, and even though he played just 12 games in Dallas, it was enough to make him the No.1 guy going forward.  Lehtonen is 26 years old, so he’s heading into the prime of his career, and he has career numbers of a 2.87 GAA, and a .912 save percentage.  Those are decent numbers when you consider that he played behind some pretty awful defenses in Atlanta.  With Lehtonen between the pipes, the Stars could be a solid betting darkhorse next season.

Here are some quotes from the Dallas Observer Blog Post: Wayne Gretzky Interested in Buying Your Dallas Stars

“It’s nothing formal, as if they’re about to sign on the dotted line,” says one source. “But it’s gone past kicking the tires. This could happen.”

It is not clear who else is involved in the group’s bid and it’s too early in the process to have developed an ownership structure. It is certain, however, that the Gretzky group would keep the Stars in Dallas.

The proceedings won’t begin in earnest until Hicks’ sale of the Texas Rangers is completed. Incoming Rangers’ owner Chuck Greenberg said last week he expects the deal to be finalized the week of April 19.

Even though Final Four odds are hot right now, there isn’t much going on in Dallas in the world of college basketball, so let’s take a look at the pro teams who are in different phases of their season right now.

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks are on the cusp of winning the Southwest division for the first time in three years, and they’re currently in second place in the Western Conference behind the Los Angeles Lakers, although they still have to hold off Utah, Phoenix and Denver. After Thursday’s game against Orlando, the Mavericks then host Oklahoma City on Saturday before getting three days off prior to next Wednesday’s game against Memphis. Most people have been pointing to either Dallas or Denver to push the Lakers in most sportsbooks, but the Mavericks probably have the edge right now as the Nuggets are dealing with some off-court stuff, like the cancer treatment of coach George Karl, as well as injuries.

Dallas Stars

The Stars have one foot on the golf course already, which means a few of them will be curious about Tiger Woods Masters odds. While the Stars aren’t officially eliminated yet, they were seven points behind eighth-place Colorado with five games left. They need to win both home games against Edmonton and Chicago this week, along with their trip to St. Louis, but they’ll also need the Avalanche to slip up. The Blues are a point ahead of the Stars, so that game is crucial, and they’re tied on points with Anaheim, who they will host next Thursday night. They’ll also have a close eye on Friday night’s game between Colorado and Calgary, as the Flames trail the Avalanche by two points.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers are 9-17, which is good for last place in the Cactus League, but most of the news surrounding the team has to do with off-field stuff. First there was the Ron Washington scandal, now the Rangers don’t think that Ian Kinsler is going to be in the Opening Day lineup because of an ankle injury, which is disappointing after the second baseman broke out last season. Finally, the Rangers look to have come up short on a deal to acquire Mike Lowell from Boston, as the 36-year-old third baseman is due to make $12.5 million this season, and the Rangers want the Red Sox to incur some of that salary, but the Red Sox aren’t budging. There is still plenty of time to make a deal, but there are plenty of questions about this deal, namely, Lowell’s age and injury history. Will he boost the Rangers’ MLB betting odds? Stay tuned.