Dancing with a Star

Dallas Stars center Mike Modano has had a pretty good week. He is now engaged to longtime girlfriend Willa Ford, with a wedding set for the postseason. If Modano, who is quite possibly the prettiest man in hockey, is as nimble on his feet as he is on skates, it will be a crime if I don't see him with the rest of the washed up celebrities on next season's Dancing with the Stars.

Modano scored the only goal last night against Pacific division rival San Jose, but had to leave the ice with an injury. He now joins half the Stars team with injuries, including Eric Lindros, Darryl Sydor, Trevor Daley, Antti Miettinen, and team captain Brenden Morrow.

Admittedly, the Stars have not needed too much heroics from the line with the sparkling play of goalies Marty Turco and Mike Smith. I would like to see more of Smith, despite the past heroics of Turco in the playoffs. Beginning with the great Eddie "The Eagle" Belfour, the Stars have had a string of excellent biscuit blockers, and coach Tippett should not be deterred from giving Smith some playing time. This can be hard after an excellent game like Turco's yesterday evening, but it is definitely necessary.

With the injuries and the need for rookies to start, the Stars have some tough times ahead in catching up to their rivals. Unless the team begins to gel soon, they will be forever looking across the chasm that separates them from the Mighty Ducks for a top playoff seed.