Dallas, TX

The Dallas Stars have fired Joe Nieuwendyk as general manager but the team has asked him to stay with the organization in another capacity that would be a good fit.

Team owner Tom Gaglardi made the decision after the Stars missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a fifth consecutive season.

"I have a lot of admiration and respect for Joe Nieuwendyk, and I told him that," Gaglardi said about his talk with the former general manager.

"I offered him an opportunity to stay in the organization in a capacity he would find fitting, and he told me he would think about it," he added.

Gaglardi made the decision after the Stars missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a fifth consecutive season when they lost 3-1 at home to the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday.

However, Gaglardi refused to confirm the hiring of Detroit Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill as Nieuwendyk's replacement.

Explaining his decision to fire Nieuwendyk, Gaglardi said he decided to make a change after studying the progress of the team over the past two seasons.

"Statistically, I just think we have too many issues that reflect a lot of problems," Gaglardi said. "We didn't improve significantly in any area, other than our power play, where we went from 30th to 17th."

"We have to work to become a good team in every area, and then the playoffs and everything else will take care of itself. Right now, we're not good enough," he added.

However, Gaglardi credited Nieuwendyk for stocking the Stars system with prospects.

"If you look at where we are now compared to when he got here, we're miles ahead, and he should take a lot of pride in that," Gaglardi said "At the same time, I think we need to go in a different direction to take the next step."

Gaglardi added that the decision to keep or dismiss head coach Glen Gulutzan will be left to the new general manager.

 

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Dallas Stars Dismiss GM Joe Nieuwendyk after Missing Playoffs