Dallas Stars' offseason overhaul raises the big question: Can they finally break through?

The Dallas Stars enter the 2025-26 NHL season with one goal in mind, but after another busy offseason, the debate remains whether this roster is built well enough to finally cross the line into the Stanley Cup Final.

For three straight years, Dallas has come close, reaching the Western Conference Final only to fall short, once to the Vegas Golden Knights and twice to the Edmonton Oilers.

This summer brought change, but also left fans wondering if the adjustments were enough to give Dallas the edge over the West's biggest contenders.

As Rinksiders notes, the team has balanced key re-signings, a coaching change, and the loss of secondary scorers. The result is a Stars team that feels different, but not necessarily less dangerous.

Key Dallas Stars offseason moves shape their Cup chances

The single biggest addition came last spring with the trade for Mikko Rantanen, who nearly averaged a point per game and added 22 points in 18 playoff games. Alongside Wyatt Johnston, Roope Hintz, and Jason Robertson, his presence makes Dallas one of the deepest offensive teams in the league.

This offseason, Dallas re-signed veterans Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene, kept grit in the lineup with Colin Blackwell, and committed to Mavrik Bourque as a breakout candidate. They also brought back Radek Faksa, a steady two-way center who strengthens their penalty kill and bottom six.

But the Stars also lost Mason Marchment, Evgenii Dadonov, and Mikael Granlund, all key pieces of last year's chemistry. On defense, Cody Ceci and Matt Dumba were moved, though many see that as addition by subtraction.

The other headline move was bringing back Glen Gulutzan as head coach. Once remembered for fiery moments in Calgary, he returns with years of experience in Edmonton, including inside knowledge of how to slow down the very Oilers team that has knocked Dallas out twice.

The West remains stacked. Vegas added Mitch Marner, Colorado reinforced its depth, and Edmonton still has Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl despite questions in goal. Dallas may not have as much firepower as last year, but they've built a roster capable of grinding out tight one-goal games.

I believe the Stars might still need one more right-shot defenseman before the trade deadline, but this roster already looks like one of the strongest in years.