Dallas Stars 2025-26 Season Preview
The Dallas Stars return to the ice next week, with their 2025-26 campaign beginning at Winnipeg on Oct. 9. While there were some significant changes to the coaching staff, the Stars returned the bulk of their core from last season’s roster, especially at the forward position. At the same time, Dallas does have to replace a few key goal scorers who departed in the offseason.
Here is a breakdown of the 2025-26 Dallas Stars forwards. The team has a mix of experienced players and young talent, which could make for an exciting season.
Returners, Additions, and Departures
Returners
Oskar Bäck, Jamie Benn, Colin Blackwell, Mavrik Bourque, Matt Duchene, Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston, Mikko Rantanen, Jason Robertson, Tyler Seguin, Sam Steel
Additions
Nathan Bastian (free agency), Radek Faksa (free agency)
Departures
Evgenii Dadonov (free agency), Mikael Granlund (free agency), Mason Marchment (trade)
Strengths
Dallas may have some of the top high-end talent in the league and can anticipate the best from each of those players this year. The Stars will have Mikko Rantanen on the roster for the entire season. The elite scorer overcame being traded twice last season and has found stability in Dallas on a new eight-year deal beginning this fall.
Jason Robertson also enters a contract year and Olympic year, so the Stars expect his best when the stakes are the highest. After an injury-riddled year last season, Robertson is healthy entering this fall. Players such as Wyatt Johnston and Roope Hintz have the chance to produce better numbers in 2025-26, since both could play on a line with Rantanen, who showed in the playoffs he can elevate his linemates.
Finally, some of the more veteran players like Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene are eagerly chasing the Stanley Cup before their careers wrap up.
Weaknesses
The Stars’ lines will look different this year, so unlike last season, many of their top forwards will have to get used to playing with new players. Glen Gulutzan said he likes to work in pairs, so expect Mikko Rantanen and Roope Hintz and Matt Duchene and Tyler Seguin to be two of Dallas’ top pairs. Besides that, forwards may shift up and down the lineup.
Sam Steel and Mavrik Bourque, who spent most of last year on the fourth line, could play in the top six. And the fourth-line rotation welcomes two new players in Radek Faksa and Nathan Bastian. It could take these new combinations some time to find chemistry in the first few weeks, and Dallas’ schedule doesn’t do it any favors early.
The Stars will also be without their captain to start the season after Benn underwent surgery for a collapsed lung.
Replacing Departed Forwards
The Stars parted ways with three players in the offseason who accounted for 49 goals last regular season. Mason Marchment and Evgenii Dadonov, who had been in Dallas for multiple seasons, had standout seasons, with each exceeding 20 goals. But Marchment was traded to Seattle to clear cap space, and Dadonov left for New Jersey in free agency.
The Stars also couldn’t bring back Mikael Granlund, whom they traded for ahead of the deadline. While Dallas would’ve liked to have Granlund back because of his versatility and success last postseason, it couldn’t afford the three-year, $21 million deal he signed with Anaheim. Granlund totaled 22 goals between his time in Dallas and San Jose last season. He also had strong defensive instincts.
The Stars will need players like Bourque to fill those gaps, while also seeing increased production from some of their top scorers.
More Roster Breakdowns
Forwards: Mikko Rantanen, Jason Robertson headline. The two players are expected to be key contributors to the team’s offense this season.
Defensemen: Breakout brewing for Nils Lundkvist? The young defenseman showed promise last season and could be in for a big year.
Goaltenders: Managing Jake Oettinger’s workload. The Stars will need to be careful with their young goalie’s playing time to avoid burnout.
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Conclusion
The Dallas Stars have a talented roster and are looking to make a deep run in the playoffs this season. With a mix of experienced players and young talent, the team has the potential to be a top contender in the league. However, they will need to overcome some weaknesses and find a way to replace the production of departed forwards. If they can do that, the Stars could be a team to watch in the 2025-26 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who are the key players on the Dallas Stars roster?
A: The key players on the Dallas Stars roster include Mikko Rantanen, Jason Robertson, Jamie Benn, Matt Duchene, and Tyler Seguin.
Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Dallas Stars?
A: The strengths of the Dallas Stars include their high-end talent, depth at the forward position, and veteran leadership. The weaknesses include the need to replace departed forwards, the potential for chemistry issues with new line combinations, and the schedule not doing them any favors early in the season.
Q: Who are the new additions to the Dallas Stars roster?
A: The new additions to the Dallas Stars roster include Nathan Bastian and Radek Faksa, who were signed in free agency.
Q: Who departed from the Dallas Stars in the offseason?
A: The players who departed from the Dallas Stars in the offseason include Evgenii Dadonov, Mikael Granlund, and Mason Marchment.
