Brett Hull to replace Armstrong as Stars GM

Brett Hull, scorer of the biggest (and most controversial) goal in Dallas Stars history, along with some dude named Les Jackson, were named Interim Co-General Managers of the Stars earlier today in the wake of Doug Armstrong's dismissal as Dallas GM. Yeah, a 7-7-2 start is nothing to write home about, but I don't think anyone expected this year's Stars to be any more than a bubble team. This roster certainly doesn't hold a candle to the Dallas teams of yore, which consisted of guys like Hull, Joe Nieuwendyk, Jason Arnott and Bill Guerin.

Obviously, Armstrong and his scouting staff haven't exactly been magicians at the draft table. Since 2002 when Armstrong ascended the helm, Dallas' first-round selections have been Martin Vagner, Mark Fistric, Matt Niskanen and Ivan Vishnevskiy, a groupfrom which only Niskanen has played in the NHL. And it's true that much of the Stars' success during Armstrong's tenure can be attributed to former GM Bob Gainey. But it's still fairly puzzling that a GM who has overseen two division titles during his tenure is fired with the season underway. Yes, the team hasn't won a playoff series in over four years, but if that's the purpose of this firing, you'd think the Stars would have pulled the plug following Dallas' first-round defeat at the hands of the Canucks last April. And, yes, Armstrong was dormant during the off-season, but Stars president stated in a Summer press release that the decision not to make any big-ticket signings was intentional, so that can't be the reason.

Regardless, the Brett Hull era begins tomorrow night in Dallas and the Sharks will be there attempting to build on the momentum generated from their 5-0 drubbing of the Coyotes at home Monday night.