2025-26 Puck Drop Preview: Dallas Stars

Last Word on Hockey’s Puck Drop Previews are back for the 2025-26 season! As the regular season approaches, Last Word will preview each team’s current outlook and stories to watch for the upcoming year. We’ll also do our best to project how things will go for each team throughout the campaign. Today, we’re previewing the 2025-26 Dallas Stars season.

2025-26 Puck Drop Preview: Dallas Stars

2024-25 Season

The Dallas Stars continued their climb as one of the Western Conference’s most consistent powerhouses. They finished second in the Central Division with a record of 50-26-6, good for 106 points. This marked the fourth straight season the Stars surpassed the 100-point plateau, a testament to the franchise’s blend of star power and depth.

Their playoff journey once again reached the Western Conference Final, but Dallas fell short of advancing to the Stanley Cup Final after a hard-fought series loss to the Edmonton Oilers. It was a bitter pill for the Stars, who had fallen at the same stage the year before. However, their resilience, structure, and high-end talent made them one of the most feared matchups in the postseason.

2024-25 Season Statistically

Statistically, the Stars showcased balance in all phases of the game. Their 275 goals scored ranked top five in the NHL, while their 222 goals against demonstrated a struggling defensive system. On special teams, the power play finished at 22 percent efficiency, and the penalty kill ranked in the top five.

Jason Robertson once again proved he is one of the league’s elite wingers, scoring 35 goals and finishing with 80 points. Matt Duchene, signed to a low-risk deal the summer before, provided exceptional value by producing 82 points, his best season in nearly a decade. Roope Hintz continued to play the role of a complete centre, scoring 28 goals while matching up against top opposition nightly.

Meanwhile, Wyatt Johnston took another step forward, surpassing the 60-point mark and proving that he is one of the NHL’s brightest young forwards. On defence, Thomas Harley blossomed into a true top-four defenceman, contributing 34 points while playing nearly 22 minutes a night.

The crease belonged to Jake Oettinger, who rebounded after an inconsistent 2023-24 campaign. His 36 wins, 2.59 goals-against average, and .909 save percentage reminded everyone why Dallas locked him up as their long-term starter.

2024-25 Off-Season

Few teams were as aggressive as Dallas in reshaping their roster. The off-season began with a coaching change, as Pete DeBoer was dismissed and Glen Gulutzan was hired for his second stint as Stars head coach. Gulutzan inherits a Cup-ready roster and is tasked with finally pushing the group past the Conference Final hurdle.

The headline move was the blockbuster acquisition of Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes. Rantanen, a 100-point winger and Stanley Cup champion with Colorado in 2022, immediately signed an eight-year extension. His arrival gives the Stars a top line that can rival any in the league.

To create cap flexibility, Dallas traded Mason Marchment to the Seattle Kraken for draft picks. Marchment had been a physical presence in the top nine, but his contract made him expendable once Rantanen joined. The Stars also saw Mikael Granlund depart in free agency to the Anaheim Ducks after a short stay in Dallas. Other roster exits included Evgenii Dadonov (signed with New Jersey), Cody Ceci (traded to Los Angeles), Matt Dumba (signed with Pittsburgh), Matej Blumel (signed with Boston), and veteran defenceman Brendan Smith, who remains an unrestricted free agent.

2024-25 Off-Season Additions

While several familiar names departed, general manager Jim Nill added reinforcements to round out the roster. Sam Steel and Colin Blackwell were signed to short-term deals, bringing versatility and penalty-killing ability. Radek Faksa, who had been briefly moved off the roster, re-signed with Dallas to continue his role as a defensive centre and faceoff specialist. On the wing, Nathan Bastian was brought in to add size, grit, and net-front presence.

On the blue line, the Stars retained Ilya Lyubushkin, who had joined last season, to provide a physical edge on the second pair. They also added young defenceman Vladislav Kolyachonok, a depth option who could push for minutes as injuries arise. The Stars also resigned Nils Lundkvist. The organization is also expecting 2021 first-round pick Lian Bichsel to make the leap to a full-time NHL role, bringing size and snarl to the back end.

In goal, the Stars still have veteran Casey DeSmith under contract to back up Oettinger. With nearly 190 NHL games of experience and postseason action under his belt, DeSmith provides a steady and reliable insurance policy if Oettinger needs rest or suffers an injury.

Projected Lineup

Forwards

Robertson – Hintz – Rantanen
Back – Duchene – Seguin
Benn – Johnston – Bourque
Steel – Faksa – Blackwell

Top Six

For the 2025-26 Dallas Stars season it’s top line is now among the league’s best. Robertson is a pure sniper, Hintz brings elite speed and two-way reliability, and Rantanen adds size, skill, and playoff pedigree. Expect this line to be deployed against other teams’ best with confidence.

The second line features Matt Duchene, who rediscovered his offensive spark, alongside Tyler Seguin, who looks to stay healthy after years of injury troubles. Oskar Back earns a look here due to his strong two-way game, faceoff ability, and defensive reliability.

Bottom Six

Jamie Benn has transitioned seamlessly into a depth role, but he remains valuable on the power play and in the locker room. He’ll flank Johnston and second year up and coming player Mavrik Bourque, who is primed to build off of last seasons 25 point year.

The fourth line of Steel–Faksa–Blackwell brings energy, defensive acumen, and penalty-killing expertise. Faksa continues to be a faceoff specialist, while Steel’s offensive instincts and Blackwell’s motor should round out a reliable unit.

Defence

Lindell – Heiskanen
Harley – Lyubushkin
Bichsel – Lundkvist

Top Four

Miro Heiskanen is the foundation of the Dallas blue line. Paired with Esa Lindell, the duo will take on heavy minutes and key shutdown assignments. Heiskanen’s ability to play 25+ minutes per night makes him one of the most valuable defenders in the NHL.

Thomas Harley pairs with Ilya Lyubushkin on the second pair. Harley’s skating and puck-moving will be complemented by Lyubushkin’s physical style. This combination provides balance and reliability.

Bottom Pair

The third pair features Lian Bichsel, who at 6-foot-5 brings size and physicality, alongside Nils Lundkvist, a puck mover who can run a second power-play unit. This pair may experience growing pains, but their upside is high.

Goalies

Jake Oettinger

Casey DeSmith

Oettinger remains the face of the Stars’ goaltending. His ability to deliver game-stealing performances gives Dallas confidence in any matchup. DeSmith provides veteran stability and ensures the Stars won’t have to overwork their starter.

Players to Watch for the 2025-26 Dallas Stars season

Mikko Rantanen

All eyes will be on the blockbuster addition. Rantanen has eclipsed 40 goals and 100 points in past seasons, and his ability to mesh with Robertson and Hintz could transform Dallas’ offence into an unstoppable force.

Thomas Harley

Harley’s development gives Dallas another cornerstone defender alongside Heiskanen. If he continues his trajectory, the Stars’ blue line could rival any in the league.

Prediction for the 2025-26 Dallas Stars

2025-26 Dallas Stars season is firmly in its Stanley Cup window. The addition of Rantanen makes their top line one of the best in hockey. The defence is deep, the goaltending is stable, and the forward group mixes veteran experience with youth.

The biggest questions will be whether Johnston and Bourque can take another step forward, and if Gulutzan can be the coach to lead them past the Western Conference Final.

A top-two finish in the Central Division seems inevitable, and anything short of a Stanley Cup Final appearance will feel like a missed opportunity. For a franchise that last lifted the Cup in 1999, this may finally be the year Dallas goes all the way.