Analysts doubt it, but this offseason strategy could push the Stars over the edge and end the heartbreaks
Photo credit: TSN
The Dallas Stars chose stability over splash this summer, and the question now is whether that quiet gamble can finally carry them past the Western Conference Final.
The Dallas Stars once again fell short in the Western Conference Final, coming within two wins of the Stanley Cup Final in 2025. This summer, instead of shaking up the roster, general manager Jim Nill doubled down on stability, betting that the group already in place has what it takes to finish the job.
The biggest shift wasn't on the ice but behind the bench. Glen Gulutzan, now in his second stint as Stars head coach, replaces Pete DeBoer and has already spoken about reshaping Dallas's mentality.
His goal is to raise the team's physical intensity during the regular season while keeping the offensive punch that drives stars like Mikko Rantanen and Jason Robertson.
As Puck Prose put it, it really is:
«Stanley Cup or bust for the current core.»
Dallas Stars bet on core chemistry while adding grit in bottom-six
The additions were subtle but intentional. Nathan Bastian was signed on a one-year deal to bring physicality, while Radek Faksa returned to add size and defensive reliability down the middle.
These moves were designed to toughen the Stars' bottom-six, which has been exposed in past playoff runs.
Of course, there were losses. Mikael Granlund, who chipped in 21 points in 31 regular-season games and added 10 more in the playoffs, moved on. Nill acknowledged the challenge but highlighted Dallas's internal growth:
«We did lose a lot of good players, but the guys coming in and the steps the younger guys take, that's what we'll need internally.»
That puts pressure on young talents like Mavrik Bourque, who showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie, and Nils Lundkvist, expected to step into a bigger defensive role.
Personally, I think this strategy makes sense as the Stars already have the elite firepower in Robertson, Rantanen, Wyatt Johnston, and Roope Hintz.
What they need now is the balance to carry that offense through four rounds of playoff hockey.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 4 | 15 ANSWERS Analysts doubt it, but this offseason strategy could push the Stars over the edge and end the heartbreaks Do you think the Dallas Stars' offseason approach was enough to finally push them into the Stanley Cup Final? | ||
| Yes | 7 | 46.7 % |
| No | 8 | 53.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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