Nov 21, 2011; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk looks on as new owner Tom Gaglardi (not pictured) is introduced during a press conference at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Unconfirmed rumors have begun spreading through the Dallas Stars community that general manager Joe Nieuwendyk will be relieved of his position with the team as early as tomorrow.

Initial reports of Nieuwendyk’s release came from TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger just before the start of the second period in Dallas’ game against the Detroit Red Wings tonight. The report can be found here.

Tonight’s game against the Red Wings closed out the fifth season in a row the Stars have missed out on the playoffs, and first indications from sources at TSN and Dallas’ local news station WFAA, site trade decisions such as those surrounding Alex Goligoski for James Neil and Matt Niskanen, and April’s trades of Brenden Morrow, Jaromir Jagr and Derek Roy as strong factors for Nieuwendyk’s release.

The reports also indicate Nieuwendyk will be replaced by Detroit Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill. Nill was a recruiting scout for the Ottawa Senators, and joined the Red Wings front office three years later. Nill has served as the assistant general manager in Detroit for 15 years and specifically works in prospect development and recruitment.

In a poll conducted by nhl.com earlier this month, readers were ask to choose the top general managers in the NHL, and Nieuwendyk was nowhere on the list. Detroit GM Ken Holland held first place in the poll.

So why no Joe up there in the top eight, and why the decision to move in a different direction in management? Four years with no playoffs? Of course that makes a difference. And sure, the Goligoski decision hasn’t been a strong return on investment, but the Kari Lehtonen gamble has certainly paid off. So, did the Michael Ryder, Erik Cole trade play into what may have already been brewing? And then there’s the trade of former captain Brenden Morrow that incensed fans around the community that could very well have something to do with it.

Ultimately, all fans have at this point is speculation. TSN has reported the decision regarding Nieuwendyk will be made as early as Monday, while WFAA reports the decision could come down the pike by tomorrow.

Jack Campbell – Goalie

Sep 22, 2011; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) and rookie goalie Jack Campbell (1) celebrate the win over the Colorado Avalanche at the American Airlines Center The Stars defeated the Avalanche 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE

Jack Campbell continues to be one of the most intriguing prospects for the Dallas Stars, and for good reason. He was of course the first round pick by the team in the 2010 entry draft, the second first round pick taken under the current Joe Nieuwendyk era. But after the possible reach in drafting Scott Glennie the summer before and the team in definite need of defensive help, it was a questioned decision when the Stars drafted Campbell with the 11th overall pick while numerous defensemen were still on the board. But upon being drafted, the praise for Jack was high. He had great numbers and growth with the US National Team Development Program, possessed solid size and athletic abilities, and looked like a future number one in the NHL.

The road since being drafted has been treacherous though. Campbell still is considered the Stars’ top goaltending prospect for the future. But some are being to question how high his potential really is, and if some of the hiccups in the OHL are just that or if they allude to what Campbell might be as a finished player.

After being drafted by Dallas, Campbell jumped from the Development Program to the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires. Although Windsor did have a successful season and Campbell finished with a 24-14-2 record, his GAA was significantly higher than expected at 3.80. In his second season in the OHL this last year, Campbell was traded from the rebuilding Spitfires to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for a boatload of picks and a couple of players. In between the two franchises he posted a 21-15-7 record, but yet again his GAA was up above 3.0 as Campbell and the Greyhounds finished outside of the playoffs. In the end his OHL career came to a close with a 3.50 GAA and .894 SV% over 91 games, with a final record of 45-29-9.

Yet after a rough couple of seasons in juniors, things are looking back up for Campbell. Not making the playoffs in the OHL opened the door for him to be called up to the Texas Stars. Making the jump to the professional level turned out to be a positive experience, as he participated in 12 games while posting one shutout and dropping his GAA down to 3.02 with a Texas team that had nothing to paly for over the last couple of weeks.

So where does Campbell fit into the big picture for the new season and calender hockey year? Well it seems likely that he will spend his first professional season in one place: the AHL with Texas. Richard Bachman appears to be back as the backup for definitive number one Kari Lehtonen in Dallas. Campbell likely could see some starts and playing time in preseason (if it does in fact occur), but then will be back down in Austin. But even there he could have some competition to push him. Recent addition from overseas Christopher Nihlstorp is the veteran goaltender simply in terms of age and overall playing experience, but one of Europe’s top goalies will now be sharing the load with Campbell for the Texas Stars. And it could be a good thing for both to have another promising netminder to push each other forward. And with a Texas team that should have a little better talent throughout this season as some top prospects jump to the professional level, Campbell could become the 1A and get a solid chance to take a big step forward in his first full season in the pros.

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