Gosselin: There are only two Stars who would make sense as captain in 2013

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The official 2011-12 headshot of Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn.
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SportsDay columnist Rick Gosselin answered reader questions during a live chat Monday. Here are some highlights:

So who would you make the Stars captain?

Rick Gosselin: The logical choice is Jamie Benn. If new GM Jim Nill stays true to his Detroit roots, the Stars will make their young superstar in the making the captain, as the Red Wings did way back when with a young Steve Yzerman. The only other player I'd consider is Ray Whitney, but that would only be a one-year deal. Great worker, great leader. Team guy all the way.


Hi Rick! Which of the Stars' moves did you like the most?

Rick Gosselin: In general, I liked the sudden influx of depth at the center position. Seguin, Peverly and Horcoff are all proven veterans there and suddenly what had been a weakness is now a strength. This has not been a good faceoff team and now the Stars have added three veterans to take those draws. Puck possession was a big part of Detroit's game, where Nill earned his Stanley Cup rings, and it appears he wants to make it a big part of the Stars' game. Puck possession begins with winning faceoffs. The depth at center also allows the Stars to move Jamie Benn back to where he belongs and has a better chance of flourishing -- the wing.


What do you make of Tyler Seguin's acquisition and reputation? Did Dallas just inherit a problem?

Rick Gosselin: Seguin obviously needs to mature on and off the ice. There's risk, but there's also potential for great reward. This is a very young player with an immense amount of talent. When you haven't made the playoffs for five years, you need to take risks such as these. I trust what Nill is doing.



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