The Dallas Stars finished last season with 112 points, the second seed in the West and two 45-goal scorers. They were gone by April 30.
Minnesota beat them in six games, and the statistic that explains how is almost hard to believe. Starting in Game 3, the Stars went 209 minutes and 56 seconds without scoring at even strength, according to NHL.com. Only four of their 15 goals in the series came five-on-five.
That drought ended three straight trips to the Western Conference final and gave Dallas its first opening-round exit since 2022. It is the backdrop for everything this season.
Tired, or solved?
There are two ways to read last spring, and the front office's summer suggests which one it chose.
The fatigue theory has evidence behind it. From 2023 to 2025 the Stars played 62 playoff games, third-most in the league, and last season's schedule was compressed by the Winter Olympics. Roope Hintz, the top-six center, missed the entire series with a torn hamstring. Tyler Seguin had been out since December with a torn ACL.
The other theory is that Minnesota found something. The Wild won Game 1 by a 6-1 score, took Game 4 in overtime and closed with 4-2 and 5-2 wins. Most of Dallas' goals came away from five-on-five, and its even-strength offense beyond Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston disappeared.
A bet on health
General manager Jim Nill made no dramatic moves. Captain Jamie Benn returned on a one-year deal. Robertson signed a one-year, $12 million contract rather than a long extension. Sam Steel got four more years. Mavrik Bourque and Ilya Lyubushkin were traded to Nashville for cap room. There was no first-round pick; it had gone to Carolina in the Mikko Rantanen deal.
In other words, Dallas is betting that the team that won 50 games is still the team, and that a healthy Hintz and Seguin are the additions. Both are on the opening roster.
