from Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News,

When the Stars were rolling up victories, Seguin and Benn were leading the way. When they were beating some of the best teams, those two were the best players. But in this recent slump, they have come up dry, and that might tell you a little something about the Stars and their growing pains.

While Seguin is having a renaissance season since his trade from Boston, he’s still just a 21-year-old who is in his first year of learning how to play NHL center. While Benn is 24 and the face of the franchise, he still is in his first season being the captain and is also adjusting to a change of position.

Valeri Nichushkin is 18, and his play has shown wild fluctuations. Alex Chaisson is 23, and he’s just learning to handle the burden of being an NHL goal-scorer while mired in a 17-game goal drought.

“We’re young,” veteran forward Ray Whitney said, “and it’s hard to put youth behind you.”

But it’s part of the process of growing. Seguin last season faced lower-level defenders when he played on the second or third line in Boston. This season, he has to go against the opposition’s best for the entire game.

“Part of my job is to produce and get the goals, so you have to deal with that.” Seguin said. “I think that’s definitely part of being in this role.”

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