from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

In a league where one of the most common refrains is that it’s next to impossible to acquire top-end centers, Jim Nill picked up Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza just over a year on the job as general manager in Dallas.

Mercy.

No wonder the Stars are a trendy pick ahead of this season to continue its onward climb in the tough Western Conference.

``I think Dallas is ready to take a leap in with the big boys,’’ one Eastern Conference GM told ESPN.com this week.

"It's no surprise to anyone in the Western Conference that watched Jim Nill and his staff quietly weave his Magic in Detroit ... that the same culture of excellence is evolving quickly in Dallas through solid drafting and astute trades and FA signings,’’ another rival Western Conference team executive told ESPN.com via email.

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