TEAM EDITORIAL

The Dallas Stars enter the 2026 offseason still built around a deep, veteran core, but with some real roster and cap tension after a busy summer of retention and reshuffling. Jamie Benn, Jason Robertson, Arttu Hyry, Joel Kiviranta, and Kyle Burroughs all signed new deals, while the free-agent picture remains important because Michael Bunting, Nathan Bastian, and Adam Erne are among the notable players whose situations have changed, and several depth names moved on or landed elsewhere. The biggest ongoing storyline is the balance between high-end talent and financial flexibility, especially after Jason Robertson’s new contract was framed as a short-term solution rather than a full long-term resolution.

At the top of the roster, the Stars still have elite center depth with Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston, Tyler Seguin, and Matt Duchene, plus impact scoring on the wings from Mikko Rantanen, Robertson, Jamie Benn, and Michael Bunting. On the blue line, Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley remain the defensive backbone, with Esa Lindell, Nils Lundkvist, Lian Bichsel, Tyler Myers, Kyle Capobianco, and Burroughs filling out a group that should be competitive but will be watched closely for health and consistency. Goaltending also remains steady with Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith.

The next checkpoint is preseason at St. Louis on September 19, when the attention will shift from summer business to how the roster fits together in training camp.