Much has changed for the Dallas Stars since their loss to the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final. With Peter DeBoer no longer behind the bench, the latest signings might hint at a coming of age for Mikko Rantanen and company.
Ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season, the Stars have now signed Nathan Bastian to a one-year, $775k contract. The former New Jersey Devils‘ depth forward provides a boost to the team’s bottom six. As reports suggest, it could also signal the end of an era in the 214, and the beginning of a new one. As the saying goes: when one door closes, another one opens. On that note, the Stars’ championship window is anything but shut.
DeBoer’s tenure with the Stars couldn’t survive the turbulent waters that hit Dallas during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In a do-or-die Game 5 against the Oilers, DeBoer made the final call that dug his own grave. Pulling Jake Oettinger after allowing two goals on two shots was the kiss of death for DeBoer’s time in the Lone Star State.
New era
Now, Rantanen and company are under the guidance of Glen Gulutzan, whose gameplan is starting to show in the organization’s offseason moves. After signing former Devils forward Bastian to a one-year deal, reports indicate the decision has been made to move on from DeBoer’s antics.
“This signing further signals a change in approach we’ve been anticipating, too,” Robert Tiffin stated on Stars Thoughts. “After a few years of Pete DeBoer rolling out Craig Smith and Evgeni Dadonov for some sneaky goal-scoring from the right wing in the bottom six, the signing of Bastian may reflect Glen Gulutzan’s ideas about what else lower lines need to bring.
“With a bit more focus on heavy forecheckers arriving at the right time, as opposed to looking for a better finisher who waits for a stretch pass in the neutral zone.“
Projected lines
- LW: Jason Robertson – C: Roope Hintz – RW: Mikko Rantanen
- Matt Duchene – Wyatt Johnston – Tyler Seguin
- Jamie Benn – Sam Steel – Mavrik Bourque
- Oskar Back – Radek Faksa – Colin Blackwell
According to Daily Faceoff, Dallas could employ Bastian as an extra, calling his number when needed. Despite a strong defensive production with the Devils, the 27-year-old forward will have to earn his spot in the lineup as the Stars boast one of the best rosters in the NHL.
Defensemen
- Esa Lindell – Miro Heiskanen
- Thomas Harley – Ilya Lyubushkin
- Lian Bichsel – Nils Lundkvist