NHL expert very critical of Jim Nill's approach this off-season

Jim Nill and the Dallas Stars are once again entering the year with Stanley Cup expectations, but some insiders believe the margin for error is slimmer than in years past.

While the Stars boast one of the most talented top ends in the league, the supporting cast isn't quite as deep as it used to be, putting the spotlight squarely on their emerging stars.

On the DLLS Stars Podcast, insider Zach Dooley broke down Dallas's offseason, admitting he sees both strengths and risks in how the roster is built. The Stars parted ways with several depth contributors over the summer, raising questions about whether the younger generation can handle the weight of playoff pressure.

Zach Dooley points to Johnston, Hintz, and Robertson as the Dallas Stars' key drivers

Dooley explained on the show that Dallas's ability to contend will largely come down to how much their young leaders can carry the load.

"I look at their offseason, and the depth is not what it was," he said. "I think it's that year where the group of guys who are 24 or 25, Johnston, Hintz, Robertson, they need to carry the team."

You can listen to the full clip from the DLLS Stars Podcast here.

Dooley added that despite those concerns, the ceiling remains incredibly high for Dallas:

"If that group can carry the team the way I think they're capable of, I'd have no hesitation in picking them as the team that comes out of the West."

The Stars have leaned on veterans like Jamie Benn and Joe Pavelski for years, but this season feels like a passing of the torch.

Wyatt Johnston is coming off a 71-point breakout campaign, Roope Hintz continues to thrive as a two-way center, and Jason Robertson has already proven himself as one of the league's most dangerous wingers.

I think this shift is exactly what Dallas needs. If the young core truly takes over, the Stars won't just survive the loss of depth, they'll become an even tougher team to beat.