Staff writer Mike Heika takes a medieval look at the Stars' roster before the season opener at Colorado on Wednesday.

Marty Turco and Mike Smith give the Stars one of the best goaltending tandems in the NHL. The two are the perfect complement, playing similar "roaming" styles in handling the puck. That forces opponents to dump the puck carefully and helped Dallas finish second in the league in fewest shots on goal at 25.4 per game.

Goalie, catches left

Ht./Wt.: 5-11, 185

Age/birthplace: 32, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

In his four seasons as a No. 1 goalie, Turco has appeared in four All-Star Games. Last season, he led the playoffs in goals-against average (1.30) and save percentage (.952). But he did not lead in wins as the Stars lost in seven games to Vancouver. Turco is 11-18 in the playoffs in his career.

Goalie, catches left

Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 211

Age/birthplace: 25, Kingston, Ontario

Smith made the All-Rookie team last season while posting a 12-5-2 record, a 2.23 GAA and a .912 save percentage. He tallied three shutouts and posted wins in Detroit and Anaheim. He is expected to get more than the 23 appearances he had last season.

The defensemen have long been a strong point in the organization, thanks in large part to associate coach Rick Wilson, who has molded the blue line since the team moved to Dallas in 1993. The Stars not only are among the league leaders in fewest shots on goal but also in blocked shots per game.

Defenseman, shoots right

Ht./Wt.: 6-1, 198

Age/birthplace: 37, Moscow, Russia

The Stars' career leader in scoring by a defenseman, Zubov is entering his 11th season with the team. After a slow start last season, he finished second on the team in assists (42) and third in points (54). He had sports hernia surgery in the off-season but appears 100 percent healthy in preseason.

Defenseman, shoots right

Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 218

Age/birthplace: 34, St. Apollinaire, Quebec

Coming off the best season of his career, Boucher ranked third among NHL defensemen in goals (19) and 15th in points (51). He is the team's best defenseman at switching to either the right or left side. Had a sub-par playoff performance. He needs to be a key to the power play.

Defenseman, shoots left

Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 210

Age/birthplace: 35, Stockholm, Sweden

The former captain of the Los Angeles Kings, Norstrom was acquired at the trade deadline last season. He is expected to take a huge role as a shutdown defenseman who kills penalties and punishes people in front of the net. Versatile enough to play with Sergei Zubov, Philippe Boucher or Stephane Robidas.

Defenseman, shoots right

Ht./Wt.: 5-11, 190

Age/birthplace: 30, Sherbrooke, Quebec

Since being picked up on waivers in 2002, Robidas has been one of the Stars' best energy players. He skates hard, dishes out hits and takes a hit to make a play. Robidas led Dallas in hits last season with 197 and saw his time on ice increase more than a minute a game to 18:04.

Defenseman, shoots left

Ht./Wt.: 5-11, 207

Age/birthplace: 23, Toronto

Though he's about to turn 24, Daley already is a big part of the defensive core. He averaged 19:22 in time on ice last year, including 2:38 short-handed. A talented skater who was an offensive leader in junior hockey, he would like to increase his average time of 0:43 on the power play.

Defenseman, shoots left

Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 206

Age/birthplace: 22, Stockholm, Sweden

The Stars hope for big things from the big rookie. A physical presence and a solid skater, Grossman must take the next step. He was voted the Iowa Stars' best defenseman last season and played eight NHL games (Stars went 7-1). Not a big scorer, with two goals and eight assists in 67 AHL games last season.

Defenseman, shoots left

Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 203

Age/birthplace: 25, Voskresensk, Russia

Drafted 123rd in 2000, Khomitski has been a long-term project. He has played at Russia's highest level for the last six seasons, serving the last two on the top pair with Khimik in the Russian Superleague. He is a physical, aggressive defenseman who likes to hit. The Stars gave him a one-way, $525,000 contract to get him to come.

Dallas has prided itself on the defensive play of its forwards for the last decade. The addition of checking line center Jeff Halpern (signed as a free agent last season) has given that group definition and accentuated the work of veterans such as Stu Barnes and Jere Lehtinen. The Stars are known for playing a tight-checking game all over the ice.

Center, shoots right

Ht./Wt.: 6-0, 203

Age/birthplace: 31, Potomac, Md.

Halpern grew up a Washington Capitals fan and played with them for six seasons, and his first season in Dallas was definitely a transition. He comes off a great playoff performance, and the Stars expect Halpern to take a bigger role on the ice (more scoring) and in leadership.

Right wing, shoots right

Ht./Wt.: 6-0, 192

Age/birthplace: 34, Espoo, Finland

As the leading goal scorer for the Stars in three of the last four seasons, Lehtinen should probably be considered an Archer, but his defensive play is so strong, he leads the Knights and sets an example for the rest of the team. He is being slowed by a shoulder injury, but he had a similar issue last season and still led the team with 26 goals.

Forward, shoots right

Ht./Wt.: 5-11, 180

Age/birthplace: 36, Spruce Grove, Alberta

Barnes is officially listed as a center but can play all three forward positions. He is versatile, durable and dependable – playing in just about every situation and finding a way to contribute. His points are on the decline (25 last season), but he is a glue player who makes big plays defensively.

Left wing, shoots left

Ht./Wt.: 6-0, 205

Age/birthplace: 27, Espoo, Finland

Maybe the most underappreciated player on the Stars, Hagman is a fierce skater who loves to stir things up and force turnovers. He is what Dave Tippett's aggressive forecheck is all about. Hagman contributed a career-best 17 goals last season while averaging 14:25 in ice time.

Left wing, shoots left

Ht./Wt.: 6-1, 194

Age/birthplace: 25, Are, Sweden

Given a chance because of injuries last season, Lundqvist has carved himself a regular place in the lineup this season with his aggressive play. A top center for Frolunda in the Finnish Elite League, Lundqvist typically plays left wing for the Stars. He led the team in hits per game last season.

Right wing, shoots left

Ht./Wt.: 6-0, 190

Age/birthplace: 27, Hameenlinna, Finland

Pushed into a role on the offensive lines last season, Miettinen will probably stick with being a good all-around checker this season. A solid skater who is strong positionally, Miettinen has decent offensive skills. He is at his best when he's tracking the puck and looking for turnovers.

The Stars are hoping a year of good health will help put more arrows in their quiver as they try to improve on their 21st ranking in goal-scoring from last season. Mike Modano and Brenden Morrow were key injury losses, and the Stars believe a healthy season for both could mean a rise into the top 10 in team scoring.

Left wing, shoots left

Ht./Wt.: 5-11, 205

Age/birthplace: 28, Carlyle, Saskatchewan

The player on the Stars who seems to get better every season, Morrow had 16 goals and 15 assists in 40 games last season despite a serious wrist injury. Named the team captain in 2006, Morrow is a centerpiece on the power play and is expected to carry a heavy load in the goal-scoring department.

Center, shoots left

Ht./Wt.: 6-0, 175

Age/birthplace: 27, Montreal

A gifted playmaker, Ribeiro led the Stars in scoring (59 points) last season and was third in assists (41). He is expected to center the second line and be a key to the power play. He is nursing a high ankle sprain and could start the season on IR. He is a consistent scorer with 59, 51 and 65 points in the last three seasons.

Center, shoots left

Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 210

Age/birthplace: 37, Livonia, Mich.

Six points behind Phil Housley, Modano is expected to become the all-time leading American-born points scorer early in the season. Despite missing 23 games to a hip/groin injury last season, he ranked second on the team in goals (22), first in plus-minus rating (plus-9) and first in game-winning goals (7).

Wing, shoots left

Ht./Wt.: 6-1, 183

Age/birthplace: 22, Goteborg, Sweden

Started slow as a rookie last season (6-13-19 in 59 games), considering he received plenty of time on one of the top two lines. Has been one of the Iowa Stars' top scoring forwards for two seasons and is looking to convert that scoring touch in the NHL. Expect him to get more time with Modano or Ribeiro.

Forward, shoots left

Ht./Wt.: 5-11, 190

Age/birthplace: 24, Kalajoki, Finland

While there were high expectations and some disappointments in Jokinen's sophomore season (14-34-48), he still was among the leaders on the team in points (fifth) and plus-minus (second). Primed for a big season on Modano's line, Jokinen might have to play some center early in the year.

The Stars have loaded up on toughness in the off-season, adding free agents Brad Winchester and Todd Fedoruk. But even the fighters don't escape defensive responsibility in the Stars' system. Look for coach Dave Tippett to play these guys 7-10 minutes a game, including in crucial situations in the third period.

Center, shoots left

Ht./Wt.: 6-0, 193

Age/birthplace: 25, Summerside, Prince Edward Island

Coming off a season that was cut to 19 games because of an ankle injury, Ott is hoping to break out. Entering his fifth NHL season, Ott can agitate with the best of them, getting under the skin of the opposition and drawing penalties. If Ott can take control of the "energy" line, it could contribute offensively and defensively.

Wing, shoots left

Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 200

Age/birthplace: 27, Guelph, Ontario

A longtime minor leaguer, Barch earned a call-up last season because of injuries and was not sent down. A wiry winger and solid skater, Barch can get in hard on the forecheck and help mess up opposing defensemen. Had 107 penalty minutes in 26 NHL games last season.

Left wing, shoots left

Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 215

Age/birthplace: 26, Madison, Wis.

A lean enforcer who has shown some scoring touch in the minor leagues, Winchester was signed as a free agent by the Stars in the summer. Had 26-14-40 in 40 games with Hamilton of the American Hockey League in 2005-06 but played mostly as a tough guy last season for Edmonton (4-5-9 in 59 games).

Left wing, shoots left

Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 235

Age/birthplace: 28, Redwater, Alberta

An experienced NHL tough guy, Fedoruk has 785 penalty minutes in 354 career games. However, he suffered two concussions in fights last season and is trying to regain his status as an NHL regular. His scoring is limited (17 career goals), but the Stars hope he will add weight to the "energy" line.