Skate in the crease, still intertwined

Plugging Holes -- Dallas Stars

The Hole: A second-pairing defenseman

Dallas has a strong group of forwards, both in terms of established veterans (Brenden Morrow, Brad Richards) and young up-and-comers (James Neal, Jamie Benn). GM Joe Nieuwendyk has already made moves to address the team's goaltending situation by signing trade-pickup Kari Lehtonen to replace the outgoing Marty Turco. Adding some blueline depth to protect Lehtonen -- and cut down on goals against -- is the next step to putting together a Dallas team that can return to the playoffs in 2010-11.

After the pay wall: a possible fix for the team, E.J.'s take on it, and more analysis. For all this, essential for pre-July 1 puckheads, you must be an ESPN Insider.

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E.J. Hradek

Senior Writer, ESPN The Magazine

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E.J. Hradek is a senior writer at ESPN The Magazine, joining the staff prior to its launch in 1998. He began covering hockey as a writer/editor for Hockey Illustrated in 1989.