Wyatt Johnston makes surprising offseason change that could elevate his game in Dallas
Photo credit: ApolloHOU
The Dallas Stars already rely on Wyatt Johnston for scoring and durability, but his surprising offseason focus on faceoffs could quietly turn him into one of the NHL's most complete young centers.
It's not often you see a 22-year-old tweak his approach after his best season yet, but Wyatt Johnston isn't settling for «good enough.»
The Dallas Stars center is coming off a breakout 71-point campaign where he proved he could score in every situation and solidified his reputation as one of the NHL's brightest young forwards.
As the Stars prepare for 2025-26, Johnston has taken on a subtle challenge that could make a major difference: reworking his game in the faceoff circle.
Instead of focusing on chemistry with new linemates or flashy offensive adjustments, he spent the summer drilling technique and studying the league's best centers.
Why Wyatt Johnston's faceoff improvements could elevate his role in Dallas
Last season, Johnston hit a career-best 51.2% faceoff win rate, but he still saw room to grow. In a recent team interview, he explained his mindset:
«It's not just about reaction time. It's about knowing what the other guy wants to do before the puck even drops.»
Dallas's development staff worked closely with him to break down video, and under new head coach Glen Gulutzan, the focus on possession fits perfectly with the team's strategy.
More faceoff wins mean more control off the hop, cleaner breakouts, and even more chances to set up Jason Robertson, Mikko Rantanen, and Roope Hintz on the power play.
Even without this adjustment, Johnston was already vital to the Stars' attack. He scored 33 goals, logged special teams minutes, and, impressively, has yet to miss a single game in his NHL career.
As NHL.com's coverage of Dallas often notes, his consistency and durability make him one of the cornerstones of Jim Nill's roster construction.
One Central Division scout summed it up simply:
«If Johnston turns into a 55% faceoff guy, Dallas becomes almost impossible to match up against down the middle.»
Personally, I think this is the kind of under-the-radar adjustment that transforms a strong season into a great one.
For Johnston, it could be the step that pushes him into true star status.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 2 | 31 ANSWERS Wyatt Johnston makes surprising offseason change that could elevate his game in Dallas Do you think Wyatt Johnston's focus on faceoffs will help the Dallas Stars reach the next level in 2025-26? | ||
| Yes | 28 | 90.3 % |
| No | 3 | 9.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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