The Dallas Stars face a challenging offseason as they look to improve a roster that has fallen short in the Western Conference finals for three consecutive years. With just under $5 million in salary cap space available to sign six players, general manager Jim Nill must navigate a tight financial landscape. Key decisions loom over several players, including Matt Dumba, whose underwhelming performance may prompt a trade to free up cap space, and Mason Marchment, whose recent success could make him a valuable trade asset. Meanwhile, the future of star forward Jason Robertson is uncertain, given his potential for a significant pay raise as he enters free agency next season.

To bolster the roster, the Stars could explore trading away players like Marchment or even Robertson if it secures a strong return. Additionally, Nill may opt to structure contracts for veterans Matt Duchene and Jamie Benn to include performance bonuses, allowing for more flexibility in the short term. Elevating AHL player Alexander Petrovic to a more prominent role could also help address defensive depth without exacerbating cap constraints. As free agency approaches, the Stars must weigh their options carefully to enhance their competitiveness for the upcoming season.