Despite some early season threats by San Jose and Phoenix, the Dallas Stars won the Pacific Division title for the sixth consecutive season. Though their 106 points and 48 wins were impressive, the postseason proved to be more difficult than it had for them the past two seasons when they advanced to the Stanley Cup finals. A six-game battle with Edmonton left coach Ken Hitchcock's squad tired and ill prepared for St. Louis, which swept the defending conference champs in the West semifinals.

	2000-01 by the numbers
	Record: 48-24-8-2. 106 points (5th overall, 3rd West, 1st Pacific) Man-games lost to injury: 176 (19th) Goals for: 241/2.94 (10th) Goals against: 187/2.28 (2nd) Differential: 54 (T4th overall) 20-goal scorers: Brett Hull (39), Mike Modano (33), Joe Nieuwendyk (29), Jere Lehtinen (20), Brenden Morrow (20) 50-point scorers: Modano (84), Hull (79), Nieuwendyk (52), Sergei Zubov (51)

Looking at next season
The cash-rich ownership of the Stars, which will move the team into a new arena next season, had plenty of money to toss around this offseason. However, it took some time -- and a few near misses -- for general manager Bob Gainey to actually spend the millions. Most notably, the Stars missed out on Jeremy Roenick, who signed with Philadelphia, and Joe Sakic, who decided to stay with Colorado. But when all seemed lost, Gainey quickly picked up the slack by signing so-called second-tier players Donald Audette, Rob DiMaio and Valeri Kamensky. The most significant addition was 453-goal, 692-assist center Pierre Turgeon, who inked a five-year deal. While signing those players, the Stars parted ways with veterans Mike Keane and Grant Ledyard, as well as youngsters Tyler Bouck and Richard Jackman. Brett Hull seems to be gone as well, mainly because he wants a two-year deal and Dallas isn't willing to guarantee both seasons.

So, the roster enters next season much like it has in the past: A talented veteran team with few young stars. The nucleus, however, remains strong, especially up the middle. Goalie Ed Belfour is an elite NHL goalie, despite his penchant for off-ice controversy, and is arguably the best in the league when he's on top of his game.

The Stars are loaded at center. With Mike Modano (33-51-84 last season) and Turgeon (30-52-82 with St. Louis), the Stars have two A-level centers who can score and are great playmakers. They'll be expected to ignite the offense for wingers like Audette, Brenden Morrow, Jamie Langenbrunner and Kamensky -- a former 35-goal scorer, who registered only 27 goals in his last two seasons with the Rangers. If healthy, Joe Nieuwendyk gives Dallas three All-Star caliber centers. With Kirk Muller, Roman Lyashenko and Shaun Van Allen sitting behind them on the depth chart, Hitchcock will likely move someone to the wing, especially if Muller has a good start.

The real question on offense is whether Hull's 39 goals -- and his presence as a constant scoring threat -- can be replaced on the wing. It might be too much to ask of just one player, but if Morrow and Audette can combine for 40-50 goals, offensive production should be at least as good as last season.

The defensive corps is in good shape with a core of veterans. The emergence of Brad Lukowich (plus-28 last season) provides a much-needed infusion of youth. Darryl Sydor and Sergei Zubov anchor the blue line on the power play, and Jyrki Lumme -- acquired from Phoenix -- is another 30-something veteran around to help out. Derian Hatcher might be the key. Although he's just 29-years old, the rugged 6-foot-5 defenseman has lost a step, but he'll continue to log significant ice time. If Hatcher plays for the U.S. Olympic Team, once again, he might be out of gas come playoff time. But for the regular season, the Stars have at least eight defensemen with proven NHL experience.

Although Dallas added depth this offseason, the overwhelming veteran presence on the roster might not be able to lift the Stars past Colorado, which has a better mix of young talent. Dallas has the same problem that Detroit has: They're an aging but still extremely talented team that doesn't have a rebuilding attitude in the front office. It's certainly enough to win a lot of hockey games in 2001-02, but it remains to be seen if the philosophy can carry the Stars back to the Stanley Cup finals.

Brian A. Shactman covers the NHL for ESPN.com.