Before the Dallas Stars made a single offseason move, there was belief within the organization they experienced bad luck last season. Dallas had the 10th-best Corsi percentage and was especially impressive after Jan. 1 after some defensive roster moves. Possession often fell in their favor, though results did not. They just couldn't keep the puck out of their net. They scored 174 goals in 5-on-5 play, which was third-best, and gave up 170, which was fifth-worst. GM Jim Nill addressed needs by being aggressive, adding defensive defenseman Johnny Oduya, a two-way forward in Patrick Sharp, another goaltender in Antti Niemi, and rising defenseman Stephen Johns. With those moves and a change in luck, the Stars believe they can return to the playoffs.

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BEST NEW FACES

Oduya had options when he hit free agency. Coming off his second Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks, he was hungry for that feeling again. He felt the Stars could get there, so he signed a two-year, $7.5 million deal.

"I feel we have a competitive team," Oduya said. "I think they've shown before it's going in the right direction."

Sharp knows that progression too, experiencing the good and bad in Chicago. The Stars will rely on his scoring and leadership.

"Being in Boston, I know winning is contagious," Stars forward Tyler Seguin said. "I know that [Sharp] is going to bring a lot to the locker room."

Niemi was brought in to help bolster the Stars' goaltending depth. Nill has said he believes the NHL has become a two-goaltender league, and he's confident the Stars have that in Niemi and Kari Lehtonen. Johns could be huge down the road, having been on the verge of making the NHL with the Blackhawks last season before injuries intervened. He was sent down before the season, but he'll be back.

BIGGEST UNKNOWNS

The question is whether the Stars have enough in net between Niemi and Lehtonen to win consistently, and win in big games. Lehtonen had a 2.94 goals-against average and .903 save percentage in 65 games last season, and Niemi had a 2.59 GAA and .914 save percentage in 61 games. Having a better defense in front of them will help, but their numbers still need to be better. Niemi has played in 62 playoff games in his career.

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SURE THINGS

The Stars' offense is one of the surest things going. Jamie Benn led the league with 87 points last season. Seguin finished six spots behind with 77 points. Throw in Sharp, Jason Spezza, Cody Eakin and a healthy Valeri Nichushkin, and the Stars have the potential to score even more this season. Defenseman John Klingberg isn't in the "sure" category just yet, but many believe he's headed there very soon. The 23-year-old had 11 goals, 29 assists and was a plus-5 in 65 games as a rookie last season. "I think this year he's going to be, I wouldn't say our dark horse, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's our best player," Seguin said.

WORLD CUP CANDIDATES

Benn and Seguin will be counted on to continue their scoring ways for Canada next year. Sharp played for Canada at the Sochi Olympics, too. Nichushkin will be on Russia's radar this season. Klingberg and Oduya will be in the mix for Sweden, and Ales Hemsky will be a candidate for the Czech Republic.

PENDING FREE AGENTS

The Stars have three defensemen set to become unrestricted free agents after the season: Alex Goligoski, Jason Demers and Jordie Benn. Goligoski is the biggest name of the trio. His last contract was four years and $18.4 million, and it'll be interesting to see how things shake out in the wake of contracts for Klingberg and Oduya, and a number of prospects on the verge.

PREDICTION

The Stars look like a playoff team on paper. It's still not easy jumping anyone in the Central Division. They could push the Winnipeg Jets out of fourth place in the Central and squeeze into the playoffs. It'll come down to goaltending for the Stars. Fifth in the Central Division.