Ralph and Razor come in at Number One! (1) Dallas -- Ralph Strangis and Daryl Reaugh If there's one landing spot I'm absolutely certain of, it's the combination of Ralph Strangis and Daryl Reaugh at number one. I'll go as far as suggesting that Strangis and Reaugh single-handedly make the Dallas Stars a better watch -- that's an incredibly tough feat considering that most of the intrigue emanating from an organization is how strong or weak of a product is iced on a yearly basis. These two could turn croquet into must-watch television. There's not a single-flaw to the broadcast, and both Strangis and Reaugh are at the top of the list in their respective fields. Strangis' works through the game like a chef works through a five-course meal, consistently making accurate and relevant information readily available to the viewer. If he's talking, you should be listening. I learn something from the man daily, and find his call to be one of the most enthralling and alluring in sports -- not just hockey. Reaugh is your analyst's analyst. The guy would beat the living hell out of his father if it was his father in the wrong. He's the most thoroughly objective analyst I've seen working since the lockout lifted in 2004, calling a spade a spade, a spade a spade, and -- well, a spade a spade. When he steps in, you prepare for an educational experience that you won't get anywhere else. Credit his attention to detail to a hockey upbringing and subsequent fight for every minute at the professional level. Reaugh wasn't a talented professional on the ice, but he used it as a learning experience and carved out an even-better niche up in the booth. He's also one of the most intelligent men in the field, which certainly helps with his delivery.

And the irony is that these contracts should be used as a defense for the owners and a possible lockout and not as ammunition against them. The problem is that there is very little common sense in sports ownership. The problem is that they can’t stop spending. The problem is they can’t control themselves. And that’s why they need rules. And those rules come in the form of an agreement that is collectively bargained with the players’ union. And so here we are.

The Dallas Stars were a big part of a tantalizing playoff race in the Pacific Division last year. First-year coach Glen Gulutzan did a fantastic job with a team that no one really took seriously heading into the 2011-12 season. Unlike the boom-to-bust ways of the Minnesota Wild and their first-year coach (Mike Yeo), the Stars were much more consistent throughout the campaign. Dallas didn't make it to the postseason, losing its last five games, all to teams that made the playoffs. Despite the slide and the disappointment of not making the postseason, there were positives. New owner Tom Gaglardi took over in November, and the team's improvement -- along with some solid marketing -- helped get some butts into seats that were almost alarmingly empty early in the season.