April 27, 2013 - As the Stars prepared to finish their lockout-shortened season against the Detroit Red Wings, word began to leak that that Joe Nieuwendyk would be replaced as general manager. Two days later, the Stars officially hired Jim Nill.
April 27th was a bitter day all the way around. The Stars would end yet another futile season with a 3-0 shutout loss at home against the same Detroit franchise that had drummed them out of the playoffs during Dallas's last appearance in 2008. To end the season with a loss against that same team (again) while also losing Joe Nieuwendyk (again) was a rough full stop on a season that began with a glimmer of hope behind the additions of Jaromir Jagr, Ray Whitney and Derek Roy.