Though the New York Rangers missed the playoffs, too, the Dallas Stars might be considered the biggest bunch of underachievers from last season. After jettisoning last year's offseason free agents, have the Stars collected the right combination this time around?

ESPN.com asked for your thoughts about the Stars. Here is an edited sampling of your responses:

This looks a lot like Free Agent Solution, Version 2.0. We saw this last year, and it was full of bugs. I heard they were even going to change the jerseys to red, white & blue and call themselves the Texas Rangers ... or is that copyright infringement?

Chris Thorne
Burbank, Calif.

Last season's collapse was due to two things: the addition of new players who did not fit it with the system and at the same time a disinterest in Ken Hitchcock's rigid defensive style. With this offseason's moves, the Dallas Stars can expect to be one of the top three teams in the Western Conference for several reasons. First of all, the hiring of Dave Tippet as head coach will give the players more freedom for creativity, while the returning Rick Wilson will take care of the defensive end as taught by Ken Hitchcock. Secondly, with the new powerhouse of forwards the Stars seem to possess, there are limitless combinations and strategies that can be employed in making full use of the guns. I would not be surprised if the Stars were one of the highest scoring teams this season. And thirdly, the returning defensive core, along with the addition of Philippe Boucher, will keep the back end steady, while at the same time supplying more offensive power (imagine Boucher and Zubov on the power play together). As for Turco, he's ready for his breakout season and his future looks very bright. With some help, he'll develop into one of the better goaltenders in the league.

Luke Woloszyn
New York

Dallas has made some impressive moves, but fans should be realistic. The key to the season will be whether these players like playing together, and that depends highly on the coaching staff. I have confidence in Turco to be a No. 1 goalie, but that doesn't mean he should be expected to start more than 50-55 games next season. Also, that defense is starting to look a little slow and would benefit from a trade for someone a little younger and speedier. A return to the top of the West? Not likely. More likely is fifth or sixth place, just behind Vancouver and St. Louis.

Bruce Peter
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Is this offseason deja vu all over again, as they say? Last time the Stars made big changes, it was disastrous for team chemistry. However, there seems to be a big difference this year. Instead of panic signings like the summer of '01, there was a lot more thought put into what the team really needed, and who they subsequently signed. Of course, we don't know how it will pan out this time around, but it looks much more promising. As for trading Arnott, I think he can be key to making this larger, younger, faster squad more effective. A trade may be the best course, but I hope they really give him a serious tryout first. Modano-Arnott-Guerin ... yowza!

Becca Lyman
San Antonio, Texas

Reasons they will win the Cup: New player-friendly coach. Bigger, more physical players. Reuniting Pierre Turgeon with Scott Young. Bill Guerin is a better fit for Modano than Brett Hull was. Guy Carbonneau in the front office. Last year could have been a fluke given the constant personnel changes throughout the season. Turco has been better than Belfour the past two years. Last season was unusually competitive in the Western Conference. They may have been the best team in history to not make the playoffs.

Reasons they will struggle to make the playoffs: The lack of importance Dave Tippet puts on defense. Turgeon and Young aren't getting any younger. No true checking line. What the hell are they going to do with three No. 1 centers? Turco could follow in Roman Turek's footsteps and end up playing for a small-market Canadian team. Young could be this season's Donald Audette. Ulf Dahlen could be this season's Valeri Kamensky. Phillipe Boucher equals Jyrki Lumme. Complaints about ice time. Tom Hicks is turning the Stars into the Texas Rangers.

What does all this mean? Who knows. I'm just as confused now as I was when they didn't make the playoffs.

Brian Maen
College Station, Texas

Let's face it, the Stars didn't make the playoffs last year for one reason: they weren't a good team! It's been proven that a stifling defense hides a teams lack of skills. Dallas played defense to perfection the past few years, but they were never a good team! Signing Guerin and Young help. Giving Turco the reigns for good helps ... but this team still lacks depth and will struggle to make the playoffs again this season!

Chris Curtis
Seattle

The Dallas Stars are poised to make a huge run for the Cup. The new additions are good ones that will improve this team. The only bad thing that comes to my mind is still the loss of Brett Hull. Why we let him go like that is baffling to my mind.

Morgan Graves
Mesquite, Texas

An owner dedicated to winning versus lining his wallet ... very refreshing!

Jon Brooks
Lexington, Mass.

Just adding the name Bill Guerin to your roster already guarantees a better season than the year before. A Modano/Guerin line would be one of the more productive ones in the game. Scott Young, not in St. Louis' plans for the upcoming season, will be a big boost for the team, IF he can be consistent. Playing with Modano seemed to help Hull out a lot. Funny how St. Louis loses one star sniper to the Stars, replaces him, then loses the replacement to the Stars again. The Stars won the Cup the year after signing Hull. Coincidence? God I hope so. As a Blues fan, I REALLY hope so.

Satyen Vora
St. Louis