Summary of the Dallas Stars’ Summer
This summer, the Dallas Stars had little to worry about. After reaching the Western Conference Finals last season, where they were bested by the Oilers in six games, the team appears to be on an upward trajectory.
Young talents like Wyatt Johnston, Logan Stankoven, and Thomas Harley have had another offseason to develop, which bodes well for the team’s future.
Although their offseason was relatively quiet, the Stars made deliberate moves in the draft, free agency, and re-signings, positioning themselves for another successful season.
With 11 players, including longtime star Jamie Benn and starting goaltender Jake Oettinger, becoming free agents next summer, this could be a pivotal year for Dallas.
Draft Selections
– 1-29: F Emil Hemming, TPS (Finland)
– 5-158: D Niilopekka Muhonen, KalPa (Finland)
– 7-222: F William Samuelsson, Södertälje SK (Sweden)
Dallas had a low-key draft, making only three selections. Their first pick, power-forward Emil Hemming, made a solid impression in his first 40 games with TPS’ Liiga team, where he scored 11 points.
Although his performance at the World Juniors was modest, Hemming shined at the World U-18 Challenge. Both Muhonen and Samuelsson had quiet seasons, but Dallas sees potential in their physical attributes and hockey IQ.
Free Agency Signings
– F Cameron Hughes (one-year, $775K)
– F Kole Lind (one-year, $775K)
– F Matt Duchene (one-year, $3M)
– F Sam Steel (one-year, $1.2M)
– F Colin Blackwell (one-year, $775K)
– D Brendan Smith (one-year, $1M)
– D Ilya Lyubushkin (two years, $6.5M)
– D Kyle Capobianco (two-year, $1.6M)
– D Nils Lundkvist (one-year, $1.2M)
– D Alexander Petrovic (two years, $775K)
– D Matt Dumba (two-years, $7.5M)
– G Casey DeSmith (three years, $3M)
– G Magnus Hellberg (one-year, $775K)
Denotes two-way contract
Denotes third-year option
Dallas was active in free agency, though most moves won’t have a huge impact on the NHL roster. The re-signing of Matt Duchene was notable, keeping their second-line center at a discounted rate. The team also focused on revamping their defense, bringing in players like Ilya Lyubushkin, Brendan Smith, and Matt Dumba to strengthen the blue line. Other signings are expected to fill specific roles or serve in the minor leagues.
Restricted Free Agents (RFA) Re-Signings
– F Mathias Emilio Pettersen (one-year, $775K)
– F Matej Blumel (one-year, $775K)
– F Oskar Back (one-year, $775K)
The Stars kept their RFA signings minimal, focusing on players destined for the minor leagues. Matej Blumel stood out with an impressive 31-goal, 62-point season in the AHL and could be a dark horse candidate for the NHL lineup if opportunities arise.
Departures
– F Ty Dellandrea (traded to San Jose)
– F Radek Faksa (traded to St. Louis)
– F Max Ellis (unqualified, unrestricted free agent)
– F Craig Smith (Chicago, one-year, $1M)
– F Fredrik Karlstrom (Islanders, one-year, $775K)
– F Scott Reedy (unrestricted free agent)
– D Christopher Tanev (traded to Toronto)
– D Derrick Pouliot (Tampa Bay, one-year, $775K)
– D Gavin Bayreuther (signed with Lausanne, NL)
– D Jani Hakanpaa (Toronto, two-years, $3M)
– G Cole Brady (unsigned, unrestricted free agent)
– G Scott Wedgewood (two-years, $3M)
The Stars parted ways with a few players, including trading Ty Dellandrea and Radek Faksa to provide them better opportunities elsewhere. The departure of Christopher Tanev was notable, though the team has managed to replace key defensive players with new signings and top prospects.
Salary Cap Outlook
The Stars have $6.244M in cap space left, but most of it will be used to sign RFA Thomas Harley. While this could tighten the budget, the team is expected to manage it effectively without compromising too much.
Key Questions
– Where Will the Prospects Fit In?: Dallas has several top prospects pushing for NHL roles. Players like Wyatt Johnston, Logan Stankoven, and Thomas Harley are expected to secure prominent positions, while others like Mavrik Bourque and Lian Bichsel could also break through.
– When Will Harley Sign?: Thomas Harley’s new contract is a key issue. As Dallas’ last remaining RFA, the terms of his deal will indicate how the team plans to build around its young core.
