SYSTEM SHMISTEM

You’re going to read and hear a lot about the Stars new system.

You’ll hear about, and be intrigued by, “the 1-3-1”. You’ll read that Stars defensemen are “activating” more. And you will have the term “back pressure” pounded into your consciousness.

But this system’s success - any system’s - is predicated on two factors that have nothing to do with Xs and Os: work ethic and trust.

If the individual is not willing, or able, to outwork the man he’s up against, the system doesn’t matter. Same goes if there are players in the mix that can’t be trusted to pull their weight or do their job.

A system is a base, it’s a fall back, a structure, a framework - but a system doesn’t win, the same way a system doesn’t lose. (Although a lack of one will contribute strongly to an L). Terrific individual effort and skill propped up by will and prodded with accountability ultimately decides games, and that’s what the 09-10 Stars will strive to lead with.

Marc Crawford’s system is one that slopes toward trying to create offense and win games instead of focusing on squashing the opponents ability to score and trying not to lose. Big difference. It can be demanding and it can be messy and as the season progresses it will probably morph to fit the needs and the personnel – and truth be told, at its root, its really not that massively different than what has been the norm around here for a long, long time.

So don’t expect a wildcat approach with Turco lining up at center and Modano guarding the net – or five forwards at one time – or anything that would put a purest in a straight jacket. Do expect fast, passionate, entertaining hockey with ebbs and flows, thrills and chills – and hopefully enough Ws to get back into the postseason tourney.