NHL News: Stars sign former Jack Hughes teammate from the Red Devils to help Jason Robertson

With a new NHL season in full preparation mode, building a competitive roster is key to chasing big goals. The Dallas Stars, a team with serious title aspirations, have added a former Jack Hughes teammate from the New Jersey Devils to their lineup — a move aimed at providing strong support for Jason Robertson.

The player in question is none other than veteran forward Nathan Bastian, who joins Glen Gulutzan’s squad after agreeing to a one-year contract worth $775,000.

Bastian entered the NHL after being selected by New Jersey in the second round (41st overall) of the 2016 Draft. Additionally, during the 2021–22 season, he spent time with the Seattle Kraken.

His arrival is expected to be valuable to the team not only because of his on-ice experience, but also for the leadership and support he can provide to his teammates even when he’s not in the lineup.

Nathan Bastian #14 and Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils warm up before the game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center on October 27, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.

Bastian’s arrival brings buzz to the Stars

In recent hours, news broke that Nathan Bastian is joining the Stars to bolster their roster — a move that has generated plenty of excitement. Jim Nill, the general manager in Dallas, shared his thoughts on the signing via NHL.com.

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“Nathan will add forward depth and a physical presence to our lineup, both of which will be valuable to our organization,” he said. “We’re looking forward to watching him take the next step of his career with the Stars and are excited to welcome him to Dallas.”

His strong run with Hughes’ Devils

During the 2024-25 season, Nathan Bastian, 27, contributed 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 59 regular-season games with the New Jersey Devils. He also made an appearance in five postseason games.

This season marked a career first for Bastian, as he scored at least one shorthanded, power-play, and game-winning goal. He netted his first-ever shorthanded goal on October 17 and a power-play goal on January 29. In addition to his offensive contributions, Bastian was a physical presence on the ice, recording 138 hits in the regular season and an additional 15 in the postseason. This ranked him third on the Devils with 15.5 hits per 60 minutes during the team’s playoff run.