This is the reason the Dallas Stars' Stanley Cup chase could get harder in 2025-26

The Dallas Stars are once again viewed as a Stanley Cup contender, but their margin for error in 2025-26 may be slimmer after an offseason filled with notable exits.

While general manager Jim Nill managed to keep the team's core intact, several contributors from last year's Western Conference Final run are gone, leaving fans wondering how much the losses will hurt.

According to NHL.com, Dallas parted ways with Cody Ceci, Mikael Granlund, Mason Marchment, Evgenii Dadonov, Magnus Hellberg, Matt Dumba, and Matej Blumel.

Each of those names filled a different role, and while some are easier to replace, others leave bigger question marks.

Mason Marchment's departure is the one that hurts the most. He brought a physical, net-front presence that often shifted momentum in the playoffs. Jake Oettinger even admitted after the trade that losing Marchment felt like losing a family member, calling him

Mikael Granlund's exit also leaves a hole. Though only a late-season addition, he produced 21 points in 31 games and chipped in 10 more during the playoffs. As Nill told Puck Prose:

Beyond those two, the steady presence of Dadonov and the grit of Dumba also disappear from the lineup. Ceci and Blumel may not have made headlines, but their contributions helped create balance throughout the year.

Now the pressure falls on younger players like Mavrik Bourque and Nils Lundkvist to take on bigger responsibilities, while veterans such as Matt Duchene and Jamie Benn must keep the group steady.

Personally, I think this is the year Dallas needs its next wave to step forward, otherwise, those missing names could be felt when April rolls around.