Dallas Stars sign Nathan Bastian to a one-year, league-minimum contract, cementing him as the 13th forward and removing camp competition for Dallas’ last forward spot. The move injects depth and a tangible physical edge into the forward group, aligning with Glen Gulutzan’s push for more grit. If injuries strike or if Dallas leans on the fourth line more heavily, Bastian could see expanded roles, with a PK presence and occasional line-time sprinkled in;

Dallas also added Radek Faksa, bringing veteran center depth and two-way reliability to the room. The pairing of Bastian’s edge with Faksa’s steadiness provides Dallas with a sturdier bottom six and more versatility on special teams, supporting fantasy managers who chase defensive-zone wins and multi-positional depth. While Bastian’s ceiling isn’t sky-high, his floor as a dependable depth piece could yield opportunistic streaming value in scales of injury or lineup shifts.

In short, Dallas doubles down on grit and depth, setting a clearer role for Bastian while reuniting Faksa with a familiar organization. Fantasy players should monitor camp impressions and potential line changes, as even a modest uptick in minutes or PK time could push Bastian into deeper-league consideration during the season.

Dallas Stars sign Nathan Bastian to a one-year, league-minimum deal worth 775,000 to shore up forward depth and bring a physical edge to the bottom six. The move, paired with the addition of Radek Faksa, completes the Stars’ forward unit and signals an emphasis on a grittier, more two-way identity under new head coach Glen Gulutzan. Bastian is described as a reliable depth piece who can contribute in puck battles and on the penalty kill without forcing top-line minutes.

Bastian has spent most of his career with New Jersey after being selected in 2016, appearing in 276 NHL games and posting 68 points. He played 59 games for New Jersey last season, tallying 10 points while delivering a notably physical game. His signing is framed as a strategic upgrade to the Stars’ depth chart, creating a 13-forward unit and easing competition in camp for the last forward spot as Dallas looked to blend grit with production.

The offseason moves position Dallas to lean into a more physical style, with Faksa returning to bolster center depth. Training camp opens Sept. 17, and the primary race will be for the seventh defenseman spot among Alexander Petrovic, Kyle Capobianco and Vladislav Kolyachonok. Dallas’ depth now extends from first-line skill to a solid checking line, giving Gulutzan flexibility as he builds lines and special-teams units for 2025-26.

In a competitive playoff matchup, the Carolina Hurricanes took a commanding 2-0 series lead against the New Jersey Devils with a 3-1 victory. Jordan Martinook's shorthanded goal in the second period shifted momentum in favor of Carolina, contributing to their strategic advantage. Frederik Andersen stood tall in goal, making 25 saves and maintaining control defensively throughout the game.

Seth Jarvis sealed the game with an empty-netter, while Shayne Gostisbehere also found the net, showcasing the Hurricanes' depth. Jesper Bratt managed to score for the Devils, but New Jersey struggled without key defensemen Luke Hughes and Brenden Dillon. The series now shifts to Newark for Game 3, where the Devils will aim to rebound against a resilient Hurricanes squad.

The Minnesota Wild secured a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, thanks to early goals from Jared Spurgeon and Marat Khusnutdinov. Filip Gustavsson showcased his skills by stopping 31 shots, while Marcus Foligno added an empty-net goal in the final moments. This win marks Minnesota's second consecutive victory, improving their record to 3-5-0 over the last eight games.

On the opposing side, William Nylander scored the lone goal for Toronto, which has now lost three straight games in regulation. Joseph Woll managed 22 saves, but it wasn't enough to prevent the defeat.

In other action, the Florida Panthers shut out the Los Angeles Kings with a 3-0 victory. Matthew Tkachuk led the way with one goal and two assists, while Sergei Bobrovsky recorded his second shutout of the season. Aleksander Barkov and Sam Bennett also contributed goals, helping Florida stay close to the top of the Atlantic Division.

The New Jersey Devils triumphed over the Philadelphia Flyers with a commanding 5-0 win. Four of the Devils' goals came in a dominant second period, with Ondrej Palat, Luke Hughes, Nathan Bastian, and Dawson Mercer each finding the net. Jake Allen made 24 saves for his third shutout of the season, as New Jersey continued to build momentum.

The New Jersey Devils secured a commanding 5-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, highlighted by a dominant second period where they scored four goals within a span of just 13 minutes. Ondrej Palat opened the scoring on a power play, followed by goals from Luke Hughes, Nathan Bastian, and Dawson Mercer, who capped off the scoring frenzy. Jack Hughes added another goal early in the third period to solidify the win.

Jake Allen was stellar in goal for the Devils, making 24 saves and earning his third shutout of the season. This win marks New Jersey's third victory in their last four games, improving their record to 15-8-4 at home. The Flyers struggled once again, falling to 11-12-5 on the road and continuing their woes in back-to-back game scenarios, where they are now 1-8-1 this season.