Changes

The Stars started in the NHL in St. Paul, [[Minnesota]] as the '''Minnesota North Stars''' in 1967 as part of the NHL's first major expansion from the Original Six members.

The Stars started in the NHL in St. Paul, [[Minnesota]] as the '''Minnesota North Stars''' in 1967 as part of the NHL's first major expansion from the Original Six members.

From the outset the North Stars struggled with team performance and attendance issues, resulting in an unusual deal -- the team was purchased by the owners of a rival NHL franchise, the '''Cleveland Barons''', which had its own issues.  With both teams in danger of folding, the NHL allowed the franchises to merge (the franchise kept the North Stars name and records; those of the Barons -- and a predecessor, the California Golden Seals -- were retired).  The merged franchise resulted in improved play: it made the 1981 [[Stanley Cup]] finals only to lose to the [[New York Islanders]].

From the outset the North Stars struggled with team performance and attendance issues, resulting in an unusual deal—the team was purchased by the owners of a rival NHL franchise, the '''Cleveland Barons''', which had its own issues.  With both teams in danger of folding, the NHL allowed the franchises to merge (the franchise kept the North Stars name and records; those of the Barons—and a predecessor, the California Golden Seals—were retired).  The merged franchise resulted in improved play: it made the 1981 [[Stanley Cup]] finals only to lose to the [[New York Islanders]].

The 1990's, though, saw the team return to poor attendance along with disputes over a new arena, though the 1991 club again made the Stanley Cup finals, but lost to the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]].  The North Stars owners twice attempted to relocate the team to California, but both times were rebuffed only to see the NHL award those same cities an expansion club (in 1990 to [[San Jose, California]] resulting in the [[San Jose Sharks]], and in 1992 to [[Anaheim, California]] resulting in the [[Anaheim Ducks]]).  Finally, a third attempt at relocation was successful, this time in 1993 to Dallas, marking the NHL's initial (and, to date, only) franchise in the Lone Star State.

The 1990's, though, saw the team return to poor attendance along with disputes over a new arena, though the 1991 club again made the Stanley Cup finals, but lost to the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]].  The North Stars owners twice attempted to relocate the team to California, but both times were rebuffed only to see the NHL award those same cities an expansion club (in 1990 to [[San Jose, California]] resulting in the [[San Jose Sharks]], and in 1992 to [[Anaheim, California]] resulting in the [[Anaheim Ducks]]).  Finally, a third attempt at relocation was successful, this time in 1993 to Dallas, marking the NHL's initial (and, to date, only) franchise in the Lone Star State.