This NHL Saturday takes on the last expansion franchise from 1967 still in existence today: the Dallas Stars. Founded as the Minnesota North Stars and eventually absorbing the Cleveland Barons (the final incarnation of the original Oakland Seals), the organization has had success over the years with multiple Stanley Cup Finals appearances while in both locations noted above. That is reflected in this list, too, obvi.

No. 10: Brenden Morrow, LW—62 PS (1999-2013)

A first rounder, he never made an All-Star team, so that might be considered a bit of a disappointment. but with 1,203 PIMs in 835 regular-season games, he certainly provided a lot of muscle for the team’s overall success. He added 100 PIMs in 78 postseason games as well. His best season, by far, came in 2007-2008 when he posted 9.8 Point Shares. Again, never a superstar, but he contributed enough to make this list.

No. 9: Cesare Maniago, G—63 PS (1967-1976)

An original North Star after playing in 55 games over 4 prior NHL seasons for three different Original Six teams, he became the first entrenched starter in net for the expansion franchise. Never an All Star, he topped the NHL in losses once (1969) as the team struggled to win games. Twice, however, he backstopped Minnesota to first-round series victories (1968, 1971) and compiled a 14-20 record in the playoffs as well.

No. 8: Darryl Sydor, D—68 PS (1996-2003, 2006-2007, 2008-2009)

In three different stints with the team, he posted over 20:30 ATOI in proving to be a valuable member of the blue-line corps. Never an All Star, he did finish in the Norris Top 15 vote three straight years (1997-1999) as the team won its only Stanley Cup title during that stretch. He posted double-digit PS marks in 1997 and 1998 at the peak of his career as well. His best Defensive PS mark came in 1997, for the record. Reliable.

No. 7: Derian Hatcher, D—70 PS (1991-2003)

The No. 8 overall pick in the draft, he was a large presence in the defensive zone for a long time in both Minneapolis and Dallas, yet his only All-Star appearance came in his final season with the club (2003). Still, with 1,380 PIMs in 827 regular-season games with the franchise, he made himself known to the opponents on a steady basis. He added 183 PIMs in 100 playoff games, too, and helped the team win its only NHL title.

No. 6: Kari Lehtonen, G—73 PS (2009-2018)

A relatively underrated goaltender, he never made an All-Star team, despite being the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers. He came to Dallas at age 26 and spent 9 seasons ably backing the Stars in net: a 216-150-50 record with the club demonstrates that. His years with the Stars were lean, too, as the team made the postseason just twice, despite all his efforts in the crease. Sometimes, it’s bad timing.

No. 5: Tyler Seguin, C—79 PS (2013-present)

Another No. 2 overall pick by another team (Boston) who has never made an All-Star team, he came to Dallas after three seasons with the Bruins and has been a strong contributor for a lot of good teams recently. With 667 points in 766 regular-season games for the Stars, he’s been solid enough, yet his 53 points in 91 playoff games for Dallas lack punch. Three times, he’s posted double-digit PS marks (2014-2015, 2018).

No. 4: Marty Turco, G—81 PS (2000-2010)

A fifth rounder, he was an All Star in 2003 after topping the NHL in save percentage and goals-against average both as a rookie in 2001 and again two seasons later. However, as a late-start rookie at age 25, his peak years went by quickly, and his effectiveness waned fast after age 32. He posted a league-worst 31 losses in 2009 at age 33 and was out of the league by 2012. His 21-26 record in the postseason also was a bummer.

No. 3: Sergei Zubov, D—106 PS (1996-2009)

He made his only All-Star team at age 35 in 2006 after being a fifth-round draft pick by the New York Rangers in 1990. He joined Dallas after three seasons in New York and one in Pittsburgh, and he was a part of the 1999 Stanley Cup championship team. He posted over 25:30 ATOI while with the Stars organization, and he played in 114 playoff games for Dallas as well, during its rise to the top of the league and down again.

No. 2: Jamie Benn, LW—107 PS (2009-present)

A three-time All Star (2014-2016), he also was the league scoring champion in 2015 somehow with just 87 points. He’s played in 102 postseason games for Dallas, including a league-high 27 contests in the 2020 playoffs as the Stars made it all the way to the Cup Finals before losing. What else can we say here? The team’s fifth-round investment in his talent has paid off quite well, we think, even as he ages every year.

No. 1: Mike Modano, C—144 PS (1989-2010)

He spent all but his final season with the organization, from Minnesota to Dallas, picking up just one All-Star nod (2000) oddly. He was our pick for the Calder in 1990, however, and he was a key leader in the team’s 1999 Cup victory. The No. 1 overall pick in the 1988 Draft, he gave his all to the franchise: 1,359 points in 1,459 regular-season games and 145 points in 174 playoff games. He’s in the Hall of Fame, deservedly so.