I lived in Texas just east of Dallas for almost five years.  They were some of the best years of my life.  There is just something about that area.  The people are just somehow... ... ...better.  That's not just my opinion.  I've heard that from countless people.  If you talk to someone that's lived there you pretty much always find they feel the same way.  It's a special place.  You feel a kind of kinship with other people that have experienced it.  This attitude is fairly evident in the Dallas Stars organization.  How many of the players have you heard say something to that effect?  Look at the people who have come and gone... ... ...and then came back.  I have little doubt that when Mo's time in Detroit is done, no matter how much he may feel jilted, he'll be back.  For example, I was glancing through the Bill Guerin article on Puck Daddy and I came across this small, but significant, exchange:

...Yeah, for some reason I consider myself at East Coast guy too, but living out this way [in Arizona], with the weather ... I dunno.

Guerin:  Yeah, that's pretty tough to beat - I mean, Dallas was really tough to beat, living-wise. We really enjoyed that.

Yeah, my Dad coached down there for a few years, he just thinks it's the greatest place.

Guerin:  OH, Texas? Texas is awesome. It's just so much fun living there, the people are just outstanding too."

...

All this is nice and all and maybe I'm just waxing nostalgic but I really do believe there's something different about that place.  Maybe these statements will draw out some people to contradict me but that won't sour my feelings.  How does this relate to the team?  I believe that guys that have a chance to be a part of something special have a unique well to draw from when adversity hits.  It doesn't mean they're automatically successful obviously.  There are plenty of hockey reasons to try and explain why the Stars have struggled.  Many of those things are very important and would certainly help if they were fixed.  However, what gives me hope is one simple thing that's changed.  Joe has been talking about how the team needs to be competing for the crest on their jersey.  Out of all the things the team could do better I think this is one of the most important.  I won't make any grand comparisons to history because that would just be ridiculous and that's not really what this is about.  Make no mistake though, the guys on this team are part of something special in Dallas.  I really think if they're able to harness that unique energy, then anything's possible... ... ...even without a high priced veteran D guy.

... ... ...but they do need to resign Richards.  :D

Catch the whole Guerin article here:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Bourne-Blog-Bill-Guerin-on-his-Flyers-tryout-p?urn=nhl-273995#remaining-content