Mike Heika recently hosted an online chat with readers to talk all things Dallas Stars. Here are some highlights:

Question: How close is Val to breaking out? The talent is obviously there. I think the lost season last year really hurt his development. How patient are the Stars willing to be with him?

Heika: I think he's close. I think the Stars are patient. That said, if a trade could be made to help the team on defense or in net, I think teams would ask for Val, and I think the Stars would listen.

Question: What is the biggest change you see coming to the Stars' roster this offseason?

Heika: The defense will be bigger, stronger and younger, and I think that will make a huge difference in how they protect the goalie. That said, I think they will try to find a young goalie to compete with Antti Niemi, and that will be the most significant change.

Question: Who do you think has been a better GM for the Stars: Joe Nieuwendyk or Jim Nill? I feel like Joe made some good moves but none of the caliber that Nill has pulled off.

Heika: It's tough to judge, because Jim has had the benefit of a great owner in Tom Gaglardi. Joe had to make a lot of deals based on budget.

That said, Jim has done a great job of anticipating situations. That has allowed him to make moves for players like Tyler Seguin and Patrick Sharp and Stephen Johns.

The money helps, but money doesn't make deals happen like the ones Jim has pulled off.

That said, both did a good job under the circumstances.

Question: Watching the Blues series in person let the size difference between The Blues defensemen and the Stars D really stand out. It truly looked like men playing against boys. I was hoping the skill of the stars would balance the size difference but on most nights it didn't work. Was the Blues series just a bad matchup for the Stars or is the size difference something that would make multiple teams a bad match for Stars in playoffs. if so, how is keeping 6 or 7 of the current crop exciting?

Heika: I think it is a bad match-up. I think the Stars know that. I think there is a real chance they let at least three of Goligoski, Demers, Russell and Jordie Benn walk in free agency.

It's my opinion they will be bigger and younger next season by allowing the kids to advance.

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Twitter: @MikeHeika