It’s Already Been a Busy Off-Season For the Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars, last season, were a disappointing 12^th in the Western Conference. Inconsistency plagued the team as, late in the year, their playoff dreams faded fast.

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.

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Mike Modano Retirement Would Be Fitting

Retiring Now Would Be A Fitting End to an Already Great Career

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
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Mike Modano done as a Dallas Stars

1310 the ticket just reported that Mike Modano will not be playing as a Dallas Star next season, if he decides not to retire. The talk in Dallas has been that Mike Modano will be retiring this offseason. Personally, I hope he retires instead of going the route of many other athletes, you know playing for a team in the twilight of their career only to disappoint. However, whatever Mike Modano decides he will always be remembered for Stars Stanley Cup win and being the best American born player in the NHL. It is no surprise that the Dallas Stars are ready to move on, Modano’s production has dropped significantly over the past three seasons. He has actually finished the season in the minus for all 3. Whether Mike Modano retires will no doubt be a difficult decision for the long time Dallas Star, however whatever he decides it was a pleasure to watch him play and set some of the following records.

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Mavs Playoffs – Rangers get Started – Stars Golfing

Dallas Round-Up – Mavs heading for playoffs, Rangers getting started, Stars get clubs ready

Masters 2010 odds will probably be a big focus in Dallas this weekend, but as for the professional teams, all three are at significantly different stages of their seasons. Here’s a look at how everything is shaking out.

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks are tied with Denver and Phoenix in winning percentage, but they sit in the second spot due to tiebreakers. The Mavericks lost home games to Orlando and Oklahoma City before beating Memphis on Wednesday, and starting Friday, they play three road games in four nights at Portland, Sacramento, and in Los Angeles against the Clippers. There isn’t much room to move in the West, and this closing stretch will be huge, both for seeding, and for momentum as the Mavericks have been a bit inconsistent in the past month, especially on defense, which makes basketball betting players wary.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers will wrap up their three-game set at home against Toronto on Thursday afternoon, splitting the first two games. The Rangers were held hitless by Toronto’s Shaun Marcum for seven innings, yet fought all the way back for a 5-4 win on Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s ninth-inning hit, although he is now injured. On Wednesday, Rich Harden allowed three runs on one hit in an eventful 3.2-inning stint in a 7-4 loss, striking out eight, but he also walked five. Harden signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract in the offseason, and when he’s on, Harden is lights out. However, sportsbooks won’t put too much faith in him as he’s injury-prone, and with a pitch count of 90 in 3.2 innings, you can bet that Texas management may be a bit worried. Finally, second baseman Ian Kinsler is on the disabled list with a sprained ankle.

Dallas Stars

The Stars are ready to start golfing as they are eliminated from the playoff race, so with two games left, the attention switches to off-ice issues, such as a decision from Mike Modano about retirement. The 39-year-old was the Stars’ first pick in the 1988 draft, and ironically, his last game could come this Saturday in Minnesota, where this franchise was located before moving to Dallas before the 1993-94 season. He leads the franchise in games, goals, assists and points, and he won a Stanley Cup in 1999, so he has nothing left to prove. Wayne Gretzky and Brett Hull are allegedly trying to talk Modano into joining a group looking to buy the Stars, which would be great as Modano has long been the face of the franchise. It may not raise their NHL betting odds, but having Modano on board with the ownership group would be huge for this franchise.

Dallas Round Up: Mavericks – Stars – Texas Rangers

Dallas Round-Up – Mavs, Stars winding down, Rangers just getting started

When it comes to March Madness odds, Dallas doesn’t have anything to worry about, which means more time to check in on the Mavericks and Stars, as well as the Texas Rangers.

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks are 47-24 as of Thursday as they head to Portland in the evening, and they have won seven of their last 10 games. But there may be a couple of problems with the players they brought in from Washington, as Caron Butler has been incredibly inconsistent, while Brendan Haywood wasn’t happy about coming off the bench against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night. The Mavericks went with Erick Dampier, and if they can get Haywood to be on board with the tandem setup, Dallas will have a lot of size in the post as they attempt to battle the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs, as well as the Denver Nuggets.

Dallas Stars

As of Thursday, the Stars were nine points out of the final playoff spot in the West, and it’s not looking likely that they’ll make the postseason. On Thursday, they head to San Jose, who are one of the sports betting favorites to lift the Stanley Cup, then on Saturday they’ll be in Los Angeles to face the Kings, one of the biggest surprises in the league. Finally, next Monday, they’ll travel to Anaheim to take on the Ducks, who are further out of the playoff hunt than Dallas, but they’re still a tough team to play again. The Stars will also be without Mike Modano, who had his appendix removed just under two weeks ago. But even if the Stars don’t make the playoffs, Brad Richards deserves a pat on the back for the season he’s had. Through 71 games, Richards has 21 goals and 61 assists for 82 points, and he has his sights set on his career high of 91 points, set in 2005-2006.

Texas Rangers

We’re betting management of the Rangers weren’t banking on finding out manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine, and that must be worrisome for a team that took a chance on Josh Hamilton’s checkered past. The Rangers are 6-13 so far in spring training, so it’s hard to say what kind of effect this has on the team as they’re basically just figuring out roster spots right now, but it’s about to get serious as the regular season approaches. Other than the manager, all eyes are on Hamilton and Vladdy Guerrero, who came from the rival Los Angeles Angels in the offseason. The Rangers will be trying to make up for the loss of Marlon Byrd, and these two are the anchors of the lineup. Finally, Rich Harden’s health has to be an issue for the Rangers. Thinking Harden will stay healthy is like picking Texas’ odds on March Madness: they look good and could be great, but we won’t be surprised if Harden ends up on the disabled list.

Dallas Sports Report 3-18-2010

Dallas Report

With March Madness brackets being crumpled up around the country and thrown into waste baskets; the professional sports world seems to have taken a pause for the moment. In actuality, everything is still moving forward as the NBA and NHL seasons are in the home stretch of the season, the MLB is in the middle of the preseason, with the regular season is only weeks away, while the NFL has the college Draft in less than a month and free agents are picking new homes. Here’s what’s happening in Dallas.

Sportsbook: NBA: Dallas Mavericks (46-22, t-2^nd in Western Conference)

The Mavericks have been able to take somewhat of a break in the last week as they’ve only played twice since last Thursday. Dallas had its 13 game winning streak snapped at home by the New York Knicks who came into the game with a chip on their shoulder after the Mavs blew the Knicks out earlier in the season in MSG by 50. The Knicks returned the favored with an embarrassing blowout of their own, 128-94. Dallas got back on their horse and were destroying the Chicago Bulls most of the game until a late run against the Mavs reserves made the final 113-106. The Mavs continue their journey to the playoffs Saturday at home versus the Celtics.

5dimes review: NHL: Dallas Stars (30-26-13, 73 points, t-11^th in Western Conference)

The Stars started this seven game home stand with two losses to playoff teams in the West; falling to the Kings 2-1 last Friday and to Colorado 5-3 on Sunday. On Tuesday, the Stars had to face the Western Conference leading San Jose Sharks and with playoff hopes dwindling, the Stars came up shining bright with an 8-2 beatdown of the Sharks. Dallas sits seven points behind the Red Wings for the final spot in the playoffs and needed that game and tonight’s game against the Flyers and Saturday’s vs. the Senators as they are must wins for the Stars with only 13 games remaining. The Stars wrap up their home stand Sunday against the streaking Coyotes. This is the make or break point of the season for the Stars.

MLB: Texas Rangers- Preseason

The Rangers made news this week when manager Ron Washington released a statement that he tested positive for cocaine last season. Owner Nolan Ryan said the team knew about the positive test right away and that Washington offered to resign. Ryan refused his resignation and the Rangers manager reportedly finished all the necessary classes and tasks that a positive test requires of you for the MLB. Washington will manage the team as planned.

OF Josh Hamilton has an infected root canal and will miss two weeks for dental work. Hamilton seems to always have something nagging him.

NFL: Dallas Cowboys – Offseason

With the NFL Draft fast approaching, the Cowboys have been silent in free agency up until now, with a major reason being the peculiar rules that being one of the final eight teams brings with an uncapped year under this current CBA. The big news right now is that the Cowboys old digs, Texas Stadium will be imploded on April 11^th and tickets are being sold to watch the show. In regards to the draft, the Cowboys have worked out a number of pro-prospects including Oklahoma St. receiver Dez Bryant who they would likely have to trade up to get to bolster their receiving corp. (Also check out our March Madness Odds)

Dallas Update: Mavericks Stars Cowboys & Texas Rangers

NBA: Dallas Mavericks (45-21, 2^nd in Western Conference)

-       The Mavericks keep on rolling and have now won 13 games in a row after dispatching the Kings, the Bulls, the Timberwolves and the Nets in the past week. Dirk Nowitzki and crew have continued their strong play since the trade deadline but it has been rookie guard, Rodrigue Beaubois that has been a big reason for the success.  Widely thought of as heir apparent to Jason Kidd, Beaubois has seen his minutes rise this past week and his production has followed suit as Beaubois has averaged 27 minutes in the past five games after being a DNP for a lot of the previous month. In these past five games, Beaubois is averaging 17 points, 3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. He’s also shooting a shade below 55% from the field and 35% from three. Beaubois is lightning quick in transition and gives the Mavs a whole different element going into the playoffs. After a torrid schedule last week where they played five games in seven days, the Mavs get to relax a bit as they only have two games this week, and they’re against the lowly Knicks and the sliding Bulls. Look for the Mavs keep to keep the engine going full bore and get that win streak up to 15 by week’s end.

5dimes review: NHL: Dallas Stars (29-25-12, 70 points, 10^th in Western Conference)

-       The Stars just finished a week in which that had to face some of the top teams in the league. They came away 1-3, with a surprise victory over the Washington Capitals in Washington on Monday, 4-3 in a shootout. Goalie Marty Turco made 49 saves in that game. In the rest of the Stars games, they were massacred. The Stars gave up 6, 6 and 5 goals in the other three games last week and the defense has been a whole new kind of atrocious recently. The Stars will face four more playoff teams this coming week and look like a good team to bet against as their playoff hopes look grim unless they can somehow turn it around quickly.

Sportsbook: MLB: Texas Rangers – Preseason

-       Preseason is a week underway now and the Rangers got outfielder Josh Hamilton on the field, albeit a couple of games after spring training began. Hamilton came back and went 2-3 and felt fine after the game.

-       Texas acquired relief pitcher Edwar Ramirez from the Yankees for cash. Ramirez, when on, has one of the best changeups in the game.

-       1^st base top prospect and likely to threaten to be a starter out of camp this year, Justin Smoak, has a strained hip and took some time off for treatment.

-       P Rich Harden threw two and 2/3 innings and gave up four runs, walked three and threw a wild pitch. His velocity was in the mid to high 80’s which is a red flag. More to come on the often fragile Harden.

NFL: Dallas Cowboys – Offseason

-       All is quiet in Cowboys land as free agency in the uncapped year is underway. The Cowboys already have a very high payroll and will have to pay out big money to Roy Williams, who doesn’t deserve it, Flozell Adams, who is likely to be replaced in the draft or in some other means, and Marion Barber who is always hurt. Jerry Jones will probably wait until after all the March Madness betting is over and the complex structure of the free agent class of 2010 sorts itself out as the Cowboys are restricted by the “final eight rule” that prohibits them from signing an unrestricted free agent for more than 5.7 + million dollars a year. Look for the Cowboys to look at trading Marion Barber in the upcoming weeks.

Dallas Sports Teams Report

Dallas Mavericks, Stars, Cowboys and Texas Rangers Report

Sportsbook: NBA: Dallas Mavericks (37-21, 4^th in Western Conference)

-       The Dallas Mavericks are scorching hot as they have now rolled off five victories in a row. A big part of their success has been recent addition Brendan Haywood. At the trade deadline, the Mavs traded Josh Howard and Drew Gooden and somehow got back Caron Butler, DeShawn Stevenson and Brendan Haywood. Howard is now out for the season with a torn ACL and the Mavs are looking like bandits. Brendan Haywood is one of the league’s premier defensive centers and Caron Butler is a guard/forward that can take over games all by himself at times. The Mavs were able to knock off the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night 101- 96 behind 31 points from Dirk Nowitzki and 30 from Jason Terry. Butler did not play due to an allergic reaction to some medicine. Brendan Haywood had 11 points, nine rebounds and a whopping five blocks. The Mavs next game is Friday at Atlanta.

NHL: Dallas Stars (28-21-12, 68 points t-9^th in Western Conference)

-       The Olympic break has not been a passive one for Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk. The Stars had a logjam at goaltender with Mary Turco, Alex Auld and recently acquired Kari Lehtonen. Marty Turco is 4-1-1 in his last six starts and gained the starting job which led to the Stars waiving Alex Auld. The Stars will likely make a trade at the deadline to make a push for the playoffs as they are only one point out currently, but Marty Turco apparently will not be part of a deal.

US Sportsbook Review: MLB: Texas Rangers: Spring Training

-       The Texas Rangers will look to get off to a fast start this season but they will have to do it without Khalil Greene who was unable to report to camp with “a recurrence of issues he’s dealt with in the past” according to GM Jon Daniels. The Rangers will now need to find someone else to fill in as the utility infielder for the season. Greene may yet return to the team, but it will not be to start the season.

NFL: Dallas Cowboys: Offseason

-       The Cowboys did not place a franchise tag on WR Miles Austin and will now have to offer him a deal to keep him. Austin has been the most effective receiver for the Cowboys and is coming off his first pro-bowl season. The Cowboys may try to give him a tender, because he’s a restricted free agent, which would pay Austin over three million dollars for one year and allow the Cowboys to get a first and third round pick if they do not match another team’s offer sheet. The Cowboys will likely keep Austin if the price does not get too high, however many teams would love a player of Austin’s caliber and sorely need a number one receiver.

-       NFL Predictions : With the enigmatic Roy Williams taking up space in the Cowboys’ salary cap and not performing anywhere near his expectations, the Cowboys would be smart to get Austin signed to a deal on their own terms.

Dallas Update: Mavericks – Stars – Texas Rangers

Dallas Mavericks (33-21, 1^st in Southwest Division)

The Dallas Mavericks have been a sports betting enigma so far this season but they are hoping that a recent trade deadline acquisition will help right the ship. The Mavericks are just 8-10 in their last 18 games and their division lead has shortened to just one game in the Southwest.

The Mavericks made a move to find that consistent No. 2 scorer behind Dirk Nowitzki this week and that man is tabbed to be Caron Butler of the Washington Wizards. The Mavs had to part ways with Josh Howard but in turn they received a former All-Star in Butler and Brendan Haywood, who is all of the sudden a valuable addition now that Erick Dampier is hurt.

Overall, this team is still a big mixed bag but they did improve themselves. We’ll see if they can mesh down the stretch of the season and become a true playoff contender. At this point, fans are skeptical.

Dallas Stars (28-21-12, 4^th in Pacific)

The Dallas Stars are on break right now as the Winter Olympic Hockey tournament takes place and the only topics where they have come up is NHL trade rumors.

The Stars would be on the outside of the playoffs looking in should they start today but the good news is that they are just one point out of it and just three points out of seventh.

The good news for Dallas is that eight of their first 11 home games will take place at home, where they have been dominant this year. They are 18-6-5 at home and have just two regulation losses there since the start of January.

If they want to make a serious push, now will be the time when the NHL is back.

Texas Rangers (Offseason)

Baseball betting tips are just around the corner as teams start to report shortly. This year, there is far more optimism for the Texas Rangers.

The Rangers went into last year with a pitiful pitching staff and a weak group of outfielders. Now the pitching is there and it’s the hitting that needs the focus.

New hitting coach and former Colorado Rockies manager, Clint Hurdle, is in charge. His first order of business will be to get the 2,633 swings and misses down to a more reasonable number and make the team more patient at the plate. The Rangers were the worst in both categories last year.

If they can improve on that, a playoff berth is not out of the question.

Dallas Update: Mavericks – Rangers – Texas Rangers

Dallas Mavericks (32-20, 1^st in Southwest Division)

It’s good that the All-Star game is happening in Dallas this year as it might be the first time that NBA betting fans have seen quality basketball in Dallas since the turn of the calendar.

Sure, the Mavericks are still in first place but it’s time for their fans to be concerned.

The Mavs, who long had held the second-best record in the West, are just 10-11 since December 31^st and worse yet, this is a team that had to climb out of a hole to eke out a win in Golden State and then were lost – to mildly put it – to the Denver Nuggets by 36 points.

It’s fairly clear that this team, while they have won 32 games, is not anywhere near contending for a championship. While some fans are hoping that the Mavs can get a boost from a swingman like Caron Butler or Kevin Martin, the reality could also be that if they don’t get that secondary scorer, that they head south and cost Rick Carlisle his job.

Dallas Stars (26-21-12, 5^th in Southwest)

The Dallas Stars are at an interesting spot at this point. While they are just a hop and a skip outside of the playoffs, the reality is that they don’t really have what it takes for a long playoff run. They may be realizing that as the Stars made a peculiar move this week to acquire goaltender Karl Lehtonen.

A few years ago, handicappers giving betting tips would have raised an eye brow if the Stars, who are equipped with Marty Turco, would acquire a netminder. But nowadays, Stars fans see the potential writing on the wall as this acquisition might mean that Turco’s tenure in Dallas is over.

With the trade deadline approaching and the Stars spinning their wheels, don’t be surprised if they ship off Turco, one of their lone assets, and get some pieces to build for the future.

Texas Rangers (Offseason)

Sportsbetting fans know that the Texas Rangers have long been short on pitching but they might get the jump on a couple of live arms who haven’t been allowed in the US over the last five years.

Alexi Ogando (26) and Omar Beltre (28) have met with Texas Rangers General Manager twice over the last two years and helped them get their visas. That may give the Rangers the inside track on the pitchers now that they have come over.

The Rangers will have the opportunity to add them to their 40-man roster shortly, which means they’ll have to cut ties with two others.

Both of these pitchers are mature and MLB betting fans know that it mean that may make an impact sooner rather than later for the Rangers.

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