With a new administration coming in, coach Glen Gulutzan is likely a goner. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

By Allan Muir

If you’re looking for a major reason why Dallas Stars owner Tom Gaglardi has reportedly axed fourth-year general manager Joe Nieuwendyk, you really only needed to glance around the stands at the American Airlines Center on Saturday night. Two colorful clues made it obvious: Grey, as in the thousands of empty seats, and red, as in the jerseys and shirts worn by the majority of fans who showed up to support the visiting Detroit Red Wings.

Gaglardi spent nearly a quarter-billion dollars to purchase the Stars about 18 months ago with an eye on rebuilding a flagging brand. This scene, reminiscent of so many others during his brief tenure, wasn’t what he had in mind. Neither was a team that ended a fifth straight season without a playoff berth after 3-0 loss to the hated Wings.

In Dallas, a town where hockey has always had to struggle for attention, the Stars have finally collapsed into irrelevance. Gaglardi knew he couldn’t sell the same weak tea next season.

He had to be able to offer a significantly different product. And he had to start with a change at the top.

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Did Thomas Vanek take his last look at Buffalo’s Niagara Center as a Sabre? (Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

By Allan Muir

An annotated guide to this morning’s must-read hockey stories:

• “I’ve thought about it. If it looks like it’s a long rebuild, then it probably makes sense for both parties to move on.” The thoughts of Thomas Vanek on his future in Buffalo lead off the QMI Sunday notes column.

• The Stars have reportedly hired Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill to be Nieuwendyk’s replacement. That’s one way to change a losing culture. We’ll have more on this later this morning.

• With a goal and an assist in a 5-3 season-ending loss to Florida, 37-year-old Martin St. Louis became the oldest player in NHL history to capture the Art Ross Trophy. Steven Stamkos finished second, making for a more dubious mark: the first time teammates from a non-playoff club have finished 1-2 in the scoring race.

• The Penguins welcomed James Neal back into the lineup and he looked like he hadn’t missed a shift, let alone eight games. His third career hat trick led Pittsburgh to an 8-3 win over the Hurricanes.

• After spitting the bit last night in Washington, the Bruins have one more chance to claim the Northeast title. Personally, I’d bet on this baffling bunch coming up short…again.

• Don Cherry offered up his thoughts on female reporters in the dressing room. Don’t suppose that will stir up any controversy, eh?

• The Blue Jackets are left to ponder what might have been after falling one point short of the playoffs.

• A 3-0 playoff-clinching win over Dallas proved why Jimmy Howard has emerged as Detroit’s MVP.

• Whether you think it’s worse that the Maple Leafs are being outshot or outscored, they didn’t do enough of either down the stretch. And that does not bode well for their first playoff run since 2007.

• Maybe their top prospect, big center Joe Colborne can help. He’s looked good in a late audition.

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