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-US PRESSWIRE

It has to be asked, and it has been something I have been pondering all offseason. Normally I try to take myself out of the equation here and present things with an open mind and at least try to provide intellectual things for fans to read that are not covered with my opinions and ideas. Yet when I do step in the way and present things with a personal spin, often they are big articles I have spent a lot of time thinking about or they have to do with personal experiences. So who am I to question a GM of a professional sports franchise? He at least got the job because others higher up the food-chain thought he could lead this fractured team into a new era. But just like a president, a general manager has a “term” of command and it only continues if results and growth are produced.

There have been the big wins for GM Joe, but the questionable choices have definitely been there too. The trade for now impressive goalie Kari Lehtonen from the Atlanta Thrashers looks like one of those big “wins” that went in his favor. But things have remained under dark clouds in Dallas throughout the ups-and-downs. Now four straight seasons without a playoff appearance after the team had not experienced back-to-back seasons without a chance for the Cup since coming to Texas, and the clock is ticking on Joe’s term. Three of those seasons have happened under Nieuwy’s tenure, and this season likely decides if he earns more time at the helm or if the team should “elect” someone new to take this team forward.

Of course his hands have been tied behind his back for much of this time while the Stars were going through financial issues and operating under a very strict cap as the franchise was up for sale. Yet during that he already had his first head coach fired and in a way admitted that Marc Crawford didn’t work out at all. But with the gloves off and a new knight-in-shining armor coming to town in the form of new owner Tom Gaglardi, the Stars were set to jump back into the mix at the top of the NHL this summer. Yet the offseason plan came down to adding aging stars in Jaromir Jagr and Ray Whitney, while trading longtime fan favorites in Mike Ribeiro and Steve Ott. The “Pesky Stars” became the smarter Stars as management tries to compete right now while they let their prospects and young core grow. Yet it is concerning that again he and the team did not address the sub-par defensive group that is in place. And maybe it will work, at least I hope that it does. Being in the building for every game of the 2008 playoff run now feels like a dream I had as a kid and not something that happened in my current life.

Mar 31, 2012; San Jose, CA, USA; Dallas Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan walks across the ice to the locker room after the second period against the San Jose Sharks at HP Pavilion. San Jose defeated Dallas 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

But it is time for GM Joe and his supporters to start facing some of the questionable moves and decisions that have pushed many longtime fans to call for his tenure to end quickly if things don’t get better. For every good free agent signing like Michael Ryder, there has been an ugly one like Adam Pardy. And the Lehtonen trade is negated in some minds by the move that brought in Alex Goligoski at the cost of James Neal and Matt Niskanen, which many Stars fans and media members try to defend. While Goose does have the skills to be a big part of the team, to many people outside of Texas it is considered one of the more lop-sided trades in recent years in hockey. And now trading Otter for Derek Roy? Who is injured yet again and will likely be out until the holidays? Everyone should be at least starting to question some moves.

But as a fan of the franchise since before I even knew how to drive a car or what a CBA was, one thing that will always stick with me is that Joe was the GM and head of the franchise when the old faces of the franchise named Modano, Turco, and Lehtinen left the ice. Jere Lehtinen did it on his own terms, and Marty Turco going to Chicago didn’t bother me much because I thought his time was over. But Mike Modano skating in a Detroit Red Wings sweater and knowing that he was there because GM Joe didn’t want him back was hard. Then Modano retired and things should have gone back to how they were. Mike should have been back with the Stars and helping guide the franchise back to success. Instead he never was brought back and now he (and other former players) own the Allen Americans, battling for attention 30 minutes away from the arena where I cried at ice level as Modano skated for the final time in a Dallas sweater. Something has to be said about that too. That during a time when attendance is at its lowest and fan interest is quickly fading among some longtime fans, many are being alienated and pushed away by the actions of the GM along with the moves he is making.

So I’m not calling for his head yet, but my confidence has been shaken. I once had a man simply approach me at an event in Frisco and gain my attention by saying “In Joe We Trust” to me at the gift shop. In a second I knew he was a reader and fan, and repeated the phrase right back along with a welcome handshake and discussion about the team. Now I’m not sure I would react the same way. This season is his campaign, his final stand.

He needs Jagr and Whitney to bring flair and excitement back to the offense. He needs Lehtonen to stand on his head and steal games yet again. He needs Jamie Benn to take another step forward and show the NHL that he is an All-Star. And he needs to force me to buy playoff tickets in April. My wallet might not like it at the time, but my heart (and many others around Texas) needs to walk into a packed building that is blacked-out by fans in the spring again. It is time for Nieuwendyk to earn our trust again, to finally show that with the financial freedom he can take the next step in returning this franchise to brighter days. But in the end, if he can’t do it right now, I’m not sold on him being able to do it in the future.

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Apr 3, 2012; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Derek Roy (9) faces off against Toronto Maple Leafs center Tim Connolly (12) during the game at First Niagara Center. Sabres beat the Leafs 6-5 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-US PRESSWIRE

But just a couple of weeks later Roy had surgery and we all learned that the deal might not be all it looked like it was cracked up to be. While Roy is a great talent to add and he definitely could fill the 2nd line center spot, it now appears he could be out until November and that seems like a best case scenario. So now the Dallas Stars are at least for the short-term dealing with the center issue again. Traditional winger Jamie Benn is being used as the top center and has at times been fine with the transition, but still seems more comfortable on the wing. Now their only true top-six center is out for part of the year and will likely be adjusting to a new team and trying to catch up with the rest of the team until possibly Christmas time.

So what do the Stars do in the meantime? The wings look good with Jaromir Jagr and Ray Whitney joining Loui Eriksson and Michael Ryder, and if he can at least return and stay healthy then Brenden Morrow provides another great option that could play on any of the top three lines. But the issue with who will center what lines is now an issue again. The wings look solid, but there is a big gap at center on the 2nd line for at least a couple months.

September 28, 2010; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals center Cody Eakin (50) skates against the Boston Bruins at the Verizon Center. The Capitals won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

Cody Eakin was brought in via the Mike Ribeiro trade, and while many speak highly of his skating abilities and that he could potentially turn into a top-six option, he is still only 21-years old with a total of 30 games at the NHL level. He will likely start the season with the Stars at the NHL level, but for the immediate future Eakin looks like a 3rd line player that might at times jump up to the 2nd line if he takes thing in stride this season. While he appears to be a nice, young player that could be part of the future, he doesn’t appear ready to become the 2nd line center so soon with a brand new team.

Vernon Fiddler returns for his 2nd season in Dallas after an up-and-down first season. The veteran center had a great start to the season offensively as the 3rd line took-off after Eric Nystrom was added, but down the stretch the line was on the ice for many goals against and looked tired. Fiddler fits that mold though as a 3rd line center and bottom-six key member. He doesn’t bring a lot offensively but can add a little and know how to play in his own end. But could Vern be the answer on the 2nd line? Again not likely. His skills and talents fit the 3rd line and even an unproven Eakin might be a better option simply because of his skating abilities and offensive upside.

Mar 24, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars center Tom Wandell (23) skates with the puck behind the Calgary Flames goal during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Flames 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE

Maybe the wildcard is Tom Wandell. Like Eakin, he has better skating abilities than Fiddler and many of the bottom-six guys. But Wandell has been a interesting player over the last few seasons. The skills might be there to be a top-six forward, but the pieces have yet to click. After posting 15 points in 50 games in his extended NHL action during the 2009-10 season, Wandell has floated around multiple lines while only putting up 24 points 147 games. He physically has a little more size than Fiddler and Eakin, which could help him. But right now Wandell appears to be a wildcard that the Stars decided to give one more chance to. The skill-set looks like more that that of a career 4th liner and his skating abilities alone belong near the top for current forwards. But at some point things offensively and with the puck have to blossom, or he could be a fringe player that spends his career bouncing between lower lines. With more experience than Eakin and a bit more size and skill than Fiddler, he could be the short-term option and if he takes off could finally have a strong season.

Past those three, the next option might be prospect and former 1st round pick Scott Glennie. He and Eakin are the same age, but Glennie has yet to see serious NHL action and only had his first pro season last year with the Texas Stars of the AHL. He had a rough start to the year, but his offense picked up as the season went along as he finished with 37 points in 70 games. The forward has mostly played right wing, but has played some center over the years and in juniors. But it seems unlikely, even with him looking sharp at the recent development camp, that his first NHL action will be as the 2nd line center. He could make the opening day roster, but it is far more likely to be in a 3rd line/depth role to start out if he does.

So who takes the spot? With a good camp and early season showing, the best option could be Wandell. But at the current moment that appears to be a big question mark, and a wildcard filling a big question-mark spot as the 2nd line center might not be the best option if the coaching staff is more comfortable with Fiddler or if Eakin takes off and surpasses Wandell. In the end the Stars have to find out something by the start of the season and have one of these guys step up. If not they might not be able to repeat their recent strong starts and having to wait for Roy might look like a questionable move.

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