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.

Jamie Benn returns to the Dallas Stars for his 17th season, signing a one-year contract worth $1 million plus potential bonuses. This is a significant reduction from his previous $76 million deal. General Manager Jim Nill noted that the re-signing was straightforward, emphasizing Benn's desire to prioritize team success over personal financial gain.

Benn's willingness to accept a pay cut reflects a team-first mentality shared by other veterans like Joe Pavelski. He aims to help the Stars remain competitive in their pursuit of a championship, indicating a shift in focus towards winning rather than maximizing individual earnings.

Glen Gulutzan's return as head coach of the Dallas Stars marks a significant turning point for both him and the franchise. Twelve years ago, he faced dismissal in a tumultuous period marked by bankruptcy and instability. Now, after years of growth and experience, including his recent success with the Edmonton Oilers, Gulutzan is back to lead a team that has experienced playoff success in recent seasons.

General Manager Jim Nill recognized Gulutzan's professional journey and resilience, emphasizing the importance of learning from tough times. The Stars are looking to capitalize on their recent playoff appearances, and Gulutzan intends to leverage his experiences to foster success as they strive for the Stanley Cup.

Glen Gulutzan returns to the Dallas Stars as head coach 12 years after being initially dismissed. His coaching journey since then has included stints with multiple teams, notably as an assistant with Edmonton, where he helped the Oilers reach the Stanley Cup Final. Stars GM Jim Nill highlighted Gulutzan's growth and experience as key factors in his hiring, emphasizing his character and professionalism. This time, Gulutzan steps in with a team that has appeared in the playoffs six times in the last seven years, looking to build on recent successes.

He reflects on the struggles of his first tenure during a tumultuous period for the franchise, emphasizing the lessons learned from those challenging times. He now faces the challenge of leading a talented roster, including captain Jamie Benn. The Stars organization appears poised for a promising season ahead, marking a significant chapter in Gulutzan's coaching legacy.

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.