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.

The Dallas Stars have made a notable addition to their roster by signing forward Antonio Stranges to a one-year, two-way contract effective from the 2025-2026 season. Stranges, drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft, played a significant role with the Texas Stars in the AHL last season, where he recorded career highs with 43 points (18 goals, 25 assists) in 55 games. This marks a promising development for the young forward, who has accumulated 79 points over his 138-game AHL career.

This signing aligns with the Stars' busy offseason, which has included trading Mason Marchment to the Seattle Kraken and re-signing key players such as captain Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene, who scored 30 goals last season. The franchise is also enhancing its depth on the forward line through the re-signing of Colin Blackwell and the return of veteran Radek Faksa.

Radek Faksa has made a return to the Dallas Stars, signing a three-year, $6 million contract after a season with the St. Louis Blues. The 31-year-old center, originally drafted by the Stars in 2012, is expected to play a crucial role as a depth player, centering the fourth line and bolstering the team's penalty killing unit. Although he scored just five goals and ten assists last season, his defensive prowess has earned him four Frank J. Selke Trophy nominations throughout his career.

Faksa is noted for his grit and ability to perform in high-pressure situations, having scored a pivotal Game 7 goal during the Stars' playoff run in 2024. His tenacity and experience are viewed as instrumental for the Stars as they prepare for the upcoming 2025-26 season under new head coach Glen Gulutzan. This reunion, after a season away, signifies a strategic move by the Stars to enhance their fourth-line effectiveness while ensuring strong defensive play.

Glen Gulutzan steps into the role of head coach for the Dallas Stars, shifting from his previous position with the Edmonton Oilers, where he contributed to the team's postseason success against Dallas. In his introductory press conference, Gulutzan emphasized the Stars' strong performance, having accumulated over 100 points, and highlighted a focus on enhancing the team's physicality—a key challenge noted during past playoff encounters.

He aims to adjust the Stars' forecheck strategies to better equip the team for the rigors of playoff hockey, seeking incremental improvements rather than sweeping changes. With players like Jamie Benn and Lian Bichsel returning, along with new acquisition Radek Faksa, the Stars are poised to adopt a more physical style of play. Gulutzan's coaching staff will see some shifts as well, with specific roles assigned to assistants to optimize team performance.