ESPN.com's new NHL power rankings list the Dallas Stars at #5 - down from #3 - despite their perfect week. The Stars trail Washington, Detroit, Los Angeles and Nashville. Pierre LeBrun's comment for Dallas:
↵↵↵OK, OK ... I can't totally ignore early-season perfection. Brad Richards (UFA July 1) has been on fire, and so has goalie Kari Lehtonen, who is the masked man GM Joe Nieuwendyk is gambling on to turn around the fortunes of this franchise.
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For comparison's sake, SBNation last posted power rankings Friday, prior to the Stars' shootout win over St. Louis. The Stars ranked third in the West behind Detroit and San Jose. In their aggregated rankings (Sportsnet, ESPN, CBS, and Fox), the Stars ranked #6.
↵I suppose that we should enjoy the high ranking while it lasts.