New Jersey’s speed upgrade this offseason could push Sheldon Keefe to tweak his ‘Fight The Panic’ approach. Connor Brown, Evgenii Dadonov, Arseni Gritsyuk, and Cody Glass bring faster skating and pace, potentially enabling fewer dump-ins and more controlled zone exits and stretch passes. The Devils’ core—Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier—gives Keefe a talent base to press teams with high-octane pressure. If Keefe leans into stress-hockey with this speed, the Devils could sustain more push, even when leading. Identity will matter as much as pace, with Luke Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, and Simon Nemec anchoring a faster, more dynamic defense while the forwards push tempo and transition.

Speed alone isn’t the answer, but it changes the calculus: more rush chances, smarter zone entries, and a shift toward offense from behind the goal line. If Keefe embraces a hybrid style—less dump-ins, more controlled entries, and selective stretch plays—the Devils’ ecosystem could maximize breakout potential and PP efficiency. Talent confirms they can win; the question is whether the system evolves enough to leverage the speed and sustain it through the season.

Your take: will Keefe lean into speed and pressure, or keep the core mechanics intact even as the skating becomes markedly faster?

Evgenii Dadonov is set for a fresh start after signing a one-year, $1 million contract with the New Jersey Devils, leaving behind his tenure with the Dallas Stars. The 36-year-old forward showcased impressive versatility last season, tallying 20 goals and 20 assists despite primarily playing on the fourth line. His playoff performance was less stellar, but his experience and adaptability make him a valuable addition to the Devils' roster.

Dadonov's journey to New Jersey follows a successful stint with the Stars, where he was traded from the Montreal Canadiens and later extended his contract. However, with a coaching change in Dallas and decreased playing time in the playoffs, his future in Dallas became uncertain. Now, he looks to bring his skills to a new team, hoping to contribute significantly in the upcoming season.

The Dallas Stars are in a tight crunch as they navigate the cap space following the recent extension of Matt Duchene. With just $455,000 left to fill five roster spots, the situation necessitated the trade of Mason Marchment to the Seattle Kraken, freeing up cap space but still leaving the Stars with barely enough to sign one minimum player. Heading into free agency on July 1, the Stars will have to be strategic about signing their restricted and unrestricted free agents.

As several key players like Jamie Benn, Evgenii Dadonov, and Mikael Granlund face uncertain futures, general manager Jim Nill must consider trades and buyouts to rebuild the roster effectively. Potential buyout candidates include Matt Dumba, whose performance has not met expectations, and Ilya Lyubushkin, who offers valuable penalty-killing skills. With the NHL salary cap expected to rise significantly in the upcoming years, the decisions made now could shape the team's future.

NHL free agency is right around the corner, with the Dallas Stars poised for significant roster adjustments following a successful but ultimately disappointing season. The firing of head coach Pete DeBoer has set the stage for a fresh start as the Stars aim to build on their recent playoff appearances.

The Stars face decisions on nine free agents, including captain Jamie Benn and notable forwards like Matt Duchene and Evgenii Dadonov. With just under $5 million in cap space, the front office must negotiate wisely to fill gaps, particularly on defense and in the forward ranks. This tight cap situation may force the Stars to explore trades, particularly involving players like Mason Marchment and Matt Dumba, to free up more resources.

In a pivotal Game 5 elimination match against the Edmonton Oilers, the Dallas Stars have implemented a key lineup change by inserting rookie forward Mavrik Bourque into the roster. Bourque, who made his NHL playoff debut last season, has seen limited action during this postseason, missing several games due to previous performances where he failed to register points. The Stars are betting on his potential to energize the offense, especially in light of their goal-scoring struggles.

During the regular season, Bourque showcased his offensive capabilities with 11 goals and 14 assists across 73 games, predominantly playing on the fourth line while also proving effective in penalty-killing roles. His addition aims to bolster the Stars as they strive to stave off elimination and continue their playoff campaign. With Bourque's AHL MVP credentials and the expectation for him to deliver under pressure, the Stars are hopeful for a breakthrough performance.