Dallas Stars Offseason Preview

Another season, another disappointment. The 2023-24 Dallas Stars once again fell short of the ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup, losing to the eventual champion Colorado Avalanche 4-2 in the Conference Seni-Finals. Even more gutting was they took the first two games in Denver, only to drop 4 straight.

On one hand there’s no shame to losing to a juggernaut, even if they’re a division rival. Colorado won the President’s Trophy and crushed their playoff competition en route to their first title. But how can the Stars get themselves into that position next season? Here’s a preview of their offseason decisions and possibilities.

UFAs

With their protected UFA signing, the Stars face a difficult task of choosing between two longtime veteran leaders: F Joe Pavelski and D Jared Spurgeon. Each come with their own questions.

Pavelski has hinted that this next season may be his last, and he began showing signs of slowing down late in the season. But he ultimately won the team MVP award and the Stars don’t have an obvious internal replacement for a top 6 center. They’re heavy on wingers, though could look to slide someone like William Nylander inside.

Similarly, the Stars lack an obvious replacement for Spurgeon on their top pair. He’s long been a fixture there and won the team’s best defenseman award for the 4th consecutive year. But beyond Mackenzie Weegar, the rest of the locker room is filled with complementary and depth defensemen.

While Spurgeon isn’t quite close to retirement, he is getting older. He reportedly underwent major hip surgery after the season ended and there are legitimate questions about how well a player at his age will rebound. There’s considerable downside risk in signing him to a long term deal.

RFAs

The Pavelski vs Spurgeon decision may impact how Dallas manages their RFAs. F Timo Meier, who they acquired at the trade deadline, is in line for a massive deal. The Stars may not be able to afford it, at least not without trading away another high priced forward. That could be a way for them to acquire a blueliner to replace Spurgeon.

Of course, part of the reason the Stars will need to be judicious with their cap space is because of F Kirill Kaprizov. After signing a bridge deal two seasons ago, he’s ready to cash in and become one of the highest paid players in the league. Expect Dallas to buck up and pay their superstar sniper handsomely.

ELCs

The Stars have an exciting prospect group joining their system next year, led by F Dmitry Voronkov. He’s expected to compete for top 9 minutes right away and gives the team more physicality up front, something they felt was lacking last season until the Meier deal.

Voronkov is likely the only forwards who has a shot to make the pro team next season, but there are some new names who will be fun to watch in the farm. Ryan Tverberg and Jalen Luypen could turn into useful bottom line contributors who can chip in on the PK. Victor Neuchev and Ben King offer more offensive upside, albeit with more risk, and with some seasoning could develop into real players in a few years. 

Historically, the Stars haven’t developed many defensemen in house, preferring to bring in veterans to fill the blue line. But the team thinks highly of Stanislav Svozil and Maxwell Crozier, seeing them as potential future RHLers. They aren’t expected to see much time with the pro team next season, but it may not be long before they inject aome youth and upside into the Dallas defense.

External Additions

With a potential glut of forwards and a need to bolster the Top 4 on defense, expect the Stars to be active players in trade talks and free agency. The team can’t just run back what wasn’t good enough last season - even if it means saying goodbye to some longtime Stars. The winds of change will be blowing through the Texas desert quite soon.