2026-27 Dallas Stars Season Preview

The Dallas Stars enter the 2026–27 season with a largely unchanged roster after a quiet offseason dictated by salary cap constraints. The only major move was re-signing elite winger Jason Robertson to a one-year, $12 million deal, but the cap crunch forced them to trade away a rising young center. The Stars are betting on their veteran core to make one more deep playoff run before a potential roster shakeup.

Key Additions

Jason Robertson (LW) – Re-signed to a one-year, $12 million contract on July 22, avoiding arbitration. The 27-year-old scored 50 goals and 92 points in 80 games last season, bringing elite scoring, power-play quarterbacking, and top-line production. He’s expected to slot on the top line with Roope Hintz and Tyler Seguin.

Jamie Benn (LW) – Re-signed to a one-year, $850,000 deal. The 37-year-old captain provides leadership, physicality, and bottom-six depth.

Key Subtractions

Mavrik Bourque (C) – Traded to Nashville on July 1 for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 third. The 24-year-old center scored 20 goals and 41 points in 82 games last season, a significant loss of youth, speed, and middle-six scoring. He signed a six-year, $33 million extension with the Predators.

Ilya Lyubushkin (D) – Also dealt to Nashville in the Bourque trade. The 32-year-old right-shot defenseman had 10 points in 75 games, providing physicality and depth on the right side.

Alex Petrovic (D) – Signed with Florida in free agency, thinning defensive depth.

Michael Bunting (LW), Adam Erne (LW), Nathan Bastian (RW) – All departed via free agency or trade, removing forward depth.

Core Retained

Dallas kept its veteran core intact, with Mikko Rantanen, Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Matt Duchene, Wyatt Johnston, Thomas Harley, Esa Lindell, and Jake Oettinger, all under contract.

Impact on 2026–27

The Stars’ offseason was defined by cap management, not improvement. Re-signing Robertson was essential, but losing Bourque subtracts youth and scoring from a lineup that already struggled offensively at times. The veteran core remains elite, but the lack of additions and the Bourque departure make Dallas slightly worse on paper. Expect the Stars to remain a top team in the Central Division, but with a narrower margin for error and increased pressure to perform in the playoffs.

Salary Cap Situation

Projected cap hit – $105,360,333
Roster – 23/23
Projected cap space – $1,360,333
Deadline cap space – $1,360,333

Dallas Stars Depth Chart