Third pair of defensemen are better than we think. Replacing Guy Carbonneau's leadership. More physical than we think. They must avoid major injuries and get a major comeback from Nieuwendyk to add more scoring punch to the Stars' attack. Whether it comes from the Jon Sims and Brenden Morrows or someone who is brought in via a trade, the Stars need more scoring than they had in 1999-2000 to win the Cup.
Health is the obvious answer.
But, if you assume they stay healthy, this team must get its young role players to play like the veterans they had in 1998-99 when Dave Reid, Pat Verbeek, Craig Ludwig and Shawn Chambers made significant contributions. Brenden Morrow, Roman Lyashenko, Blake Sloan, Brad Lukowich and Richard Jackman, plus veteran free-agent signees Ted Donato and Shaun Van Allen, need to give the Stars' awesome core a fair share of support. St. Louis will be tough again, and San Jose will be physical, as usual. Phoenix should be much better, but the Coyotes seem to be having trouble with team chemistry. Colorado because the teams will meet in the Western Conference Finals.