Ray Whitney News

The Dallas Stars of the NHL fired coach Glen Gulutzan on Tuesday, an expected move by new general manager Jim Nill for a franchise that has missed the playoffs a record five straight seasons.

The 41-year-old Gulutzan had the Stars in playoff contention both seasons, but Dallas faltered down the stretch each time.

Not many knew what to expect from from Cody Eakin, when he was acquired from the Washington Capitals just before the draft in exchange for Mike Ribeiro.

Apr 9, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Ray Whitney tosses a puck to a fan after the game against the Los Angeles Kings at the American Airlines Center.

As the 2013 season progressed Glen Gulutzan began to rely more and more on the duo of Eric Nystrom and Vernon Fiddler .

Kevin Connauton and Cameron Gaunce take on the OKC Barons on Thursday, May 9, 2013.

Jeff Angus takes a close look, from an outsider's perspective, at the future of the Dallas Stars as a summer of new beginnings gets underway.

"There are really no days off in the summer," Jamie Benn told media Tuesday when speaking of Jim Nill's message to the team as the off-season began.

A LOOK AT THE CAREER OF JAMIE BENN: Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn fights around Ottawa Senators left wing Milan Michalek in the third period of NHL Hockey action at American Airlines Center in Dallas Thursday, Dec.

With the regular season over, the players will soon be headed in their own directions for the summer.

Dallas Stars owner and Governor Tom Gaglardi, left, and president and CEO Jim Lites, right, present Jim Nill, centre, with a team jersey after a news conference where Nill was introduced as the team's new general manager Monday, April 29, 2013, in Dallas.

Jim Nill, responsible for drafting and developing players for the Detroit Red Wings, is finally ready to take a general manager job.

January 22, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk and Dallas Stars center Cody Eakin face off at Joe Louis Arena.

No way the Blue Jackets were going to be competitive this season . No way they were going to salvage the season after a 5-12-2 start.

Alex Goligoski has heard the criticism before. He knows about the comparisons to James Neal and the fact that not everyone is pleased with the trade that brought him to Dallas in 2011.

The Dallas Stars entered Thursday's game with the Columbus Blue Jackets with a glimmer of hope that the organization's four-season playoff drought could end.

When the new season begins next year, whether the spring had included a playoff appearance for the Dallas Stars or not, the organization could be looking at a new player wearing the 'C' on his chest.

Alex Chiasson has been a revelation since his recall. Before his first game was even complete Glen Gulutzan had him skating with Jamie Benn and Ray Whitney .

The "possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid field" may be "approximately 3,720 to 1", but "never tell the odds." There will still be something to play for, technically, when the puck drops on this one tonight.

The Dallas Stars were busy in the offseason, bringing in three seasoned veteran forwards in an attempt to boost scoring.