With 2024-25 training camps on the horizon, starting August 1, NHL.com/es examines each club with its 32-on-32 series. From complete team analyses to key player profiles, we offer a comprehensive look at all 32 clubs in the League. In this installment, the spotlight will be on the Dallas Stars.
Although they didn’t win the Stanley Cup title, the Dallas Stars had a great season in 2023-24. They finished the regular season with a 52-21-9 record. The team finished in first place in the Central Division and the Western Conference. It was the fifth time in club history that the Stars reached fifty wins, and the first since 2015-16.
In the playoffs, they advanced to the Western Conference Final for the second consecutive year, but fell one step short of reaching the Stanley Cup Final. Dallas fell in six games to the Edmonton Oilers.
Notable changes in the squad
The Stars’ losses this offseason are more notable than the additions for next season. The first that stands out is Joe Pavelski. The center forward retired from the NHL after his 18th season. In his last season, at age 39, he continued to shine by being Dallas’ second-best scorer with 67 points (27 goals and 40 assists). He only had one goal and four assists in 19 playoff games.
On the blue line, Chris Tanev was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs before the start of the free agency market after the team’s management was unable to come to terms with him on a new deal. The Stars acquired the 34-year-old in February in a three-team trade. Tanev had 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) in 75 games with the Calgary Flames and Stars, and two assists in 19 playoff games with Dallas. His ferocious scoring style made him stand out during his brief time in Texas. Additionally, Ryan Suter was released by the Stars after the club terminated his contract. He signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Blues. The 39-year-old recorded 17 points (two goals, 15 assists) in 82 regular season games. He also posted a plus-14 and averaged 18:56 minutes of ice time in 2023-24. In the Playoffs, he recorded four points (one goal and three assists) in 19 games.
On the signing front, the biggest signing is Matthew Dumba. The 29-year-old defenseman signed a two-year free agent contract. He had 12 points (four goals and eight assists) in 76 games with the Arizona Coyotes and Tampa Bay Lightning last season. He was scoreless in five Stanley Cup Playoff games with Tampa Bay. He is expected to slot into Dallas’ second defensive line alongside Esa Lindell.
