re: I'm considering getting into hockey, help me pick a team

Dallas Stars fills every one of those criteria...except the cool city one.

But:
-8th seed in this years playoffs and first time in playoffs since '08. So they are decent, but not too great right now. Currently Playing the Ducks (top seed in Western Conference this season) in the playoffs. Ducks lead series 2-1.

-Conference Finals in '08. Stanley Cup champs in '99. Great history as the Minnesota North Stars. Also just retired Mike Modano - the greatest American born scorer in NHL's history.

-Top line has three guys age 24 or younger and all are signed to multiple year deals. That includes two current star players in Jamie Benn & Tyler Seguin (although both are really breaking out this season) and future star player, 19 year old Val Nitchushkin. Also have a goalie, Kari Lehtonen, who is very good. When he is on, he is downright incredible (like last night's 3-0 shutout). Again: in the playoffs this season for the first time in 5-6 years, this top line will be great for years to come, and the team will only get better in the next few years as they develop roster depth. They also have Antoinne Roussel (spelling?): 200-plus penalty minutes, will fight anyone, the kind of player everyone hates unless he is on your team.

-New uniforms this season look pretty damn great (Green & Black). They look more traditional - closer to their North Star roots & first couple of years in Dallas.

-Cool City...umm, no. Its Dallas. Negative - like all Dallas teams other than the Cowboys, the fanbase sucks unless the team is in contention year after year. It's unfortunate too because when the AA Center is at full capacity, it's rocking from start to finish. Attendance picked up late this season with the playoff rush, so hopefully the late push carries its momentum with the fans into next season.

Also, many believe the Stars are on the short list of teams to relocate. NHL wants a team in Seattle & another Canadian team. There are 5 or 6 teams always mentioned on this list to move with the Stars being one. But, if you don't live in Texas to go to games in person & will be jumping on a team in a different state anyways, what difference does it matter if they relocate to you?