Well, I guess we aren’t doing too badly, all things considered. We’ve got a winning record in in our last 10 games, Ribiero and Ericksson continue to produce, and we have a hot prospect on our team now in the person of Ray Sawada. No, we aren’t going to catch San Jose, but I think we should be able to overtake Vancouver and Columbus and stave off Edmonton and Anaheim. Of course, I realize that I’m saying “should”. I know that Sergei Zubov, Brenden Morrow, and Brad Richards are all gone indefinitely, but we’ve been strong as a team. I’m counting on that to sustain us.

I realize, too, that Turco has been a strong part of our winning…but he hasn’t been quite good enough to carry the team. It’s been the team, the team’s been the thing. I mean, it’s not like Turco is Thomas, Fernandez, or Mason.

Then again, the Stars’ defense has lagged lately. Too many chances, too many shots, too many soft players out there. Where is that team spirit that I was just applauding in these guys? We all know what it is–they’re getting tired. Winter drags on, the season drags on. Come on, peeps, we can’t give up and rest yet. We’re not yet in the playoffs.

Maybe they’ll take some inspiration from hungry youth.

“I know that’s why I am here-[Chris Connors'] wife having a baby –- and I just want to take full advantage of the opportunity and show them what I can do out there. I just hope I keep on playing this way, and stick around for a while,” says Sawada.

Do that, Ray. Show these jaded professionals how it’s done.