Analysts are questioning Jim Nill's latest call with the Dallas Stars - and fans aren't staying quiet

The Dallas Stars made a depth signing with Nathan Bastian, but the ripple effects could complicate their lineup balance this season

When Jim Nill announced the signing of forward Nathan Bastian earlier this week, the move seemed simple: add size, grit, and physical presence to the Stars' bottom six.

But the closer you look at Dallas's roster construction, the more complicated this move appears. With several depth forwards already under contract, the Bastian addition creates a crowded competition for limited ice time.

As The Hockey News noted, Dallas suddenly has five players who project as fourth-liners, but only three spots available.

Dallas Stars' bottom six faces a roster logjam after latest addition

Radek Faksa's return from his year in St. Louis made him the clear favorite for the fourth-line center role.

On the wings, Sam Steel, Oskar Bäck, and Colin Blackwell were expected to rotate based on form and matchups. Bastian's signing now forces someone out of the picture, or into an unexpected promotion.

That promotion could mean ice time on the third line, but that opens another issue.

Jamie Benn is being counted on for a bounce-back year after fading at the end of last season. Steel, who might be pushed up, managed just six goals in 2024-25. And with Evgenii Dadonov gone to New Jersey after scoring 20 goals last year, the third line is already a question mark.

This creates more pressure on the Stars' top six, where Matt Duchene and Tyler Seguin aren't getting any younger and will be asked to carry a heavier load.

"Unless the bottom six can provide consistent offense, Dallas may lean too heavily on its stars again," one analyst warned.

The Bastian signing could end up being smart insurance, or it could highlight the cracks in a lineup still trying to find the right balance between veterans and depth.

I think this move is less about Bastian himself and more about what it signals: Jim Nill isn't fully satisfied with the bottom six, and training camp could decide who stays and who sits.