Dallas Stars News

A contract extension was necessary for the Dallas Stars to execute a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes to acquire Mikko Rantanen, which was signed on Friday afternoon, making him the highest-paid winger in the league, making $12 million per season for the next eight seasons. The 28-year-old superstar forward is coming off consecutive 100+ point seasons in Colorado and instantly makes the Dallas Stars a Stanley Cup favorite. Rantanen is poised to suit up on the Stars' top line with Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz.

Johnston was set to become a restricted free agent in the offseason, but has signed a five-year contract extension, worth $42 million, making him an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2029-30 season. The 21-year-old Johnston has 59 points (23G / 36A) in 62 games this season, including 14 points (8G / 6A) in his last eight games.

After a short 13-game stint in Carolina, scoring only six points (2G / 4A), the Hurricanes have flipped Rantanen to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Logan Stankoven and several high-end draft picks. The 28-year-old superstar forward is coming off consecutive 100+ point seasons in Colorado and instantly makes the Dallas Stars a Stanley Cup favorites. Rantanen is poised to suit up on the Stars' top line with Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz.

The red-hot Stars have won three straight and 11 of their last 14 (11-2-1) and will roll with Oettinger between the pipes on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. Oettinger was solid in his most recent outing, saving 39 of 42 shots (.929 SV%) in a 6-3 win over the St. Louis Blues. That said, Oettinger has not impressed lately, posting a pedestrian 3.01 GAA and .900 SV% in his last 10 contests (6-3-1). The Stars enter Thursday's contest as sizeable -223 home favorites against a Flames squad coming off a 6-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The red-hot Stars have won three straight and 11 of their last 14 (11-2-1) and will likely roll with Oettinger between the pipes on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. Oettinger was solid in his most recent outing, saving 39 of 42 shots (.929 SV%) in a 6-3 win over the St. Louis Blues. That said, Oettinger has not impressed lately, posting a pedestrian 3.01 GAA and .900 SV% in his last 10 contests (6-3-1). The Stars enter Thursday's contest as sizeable -223 home favorites against a Flames squad coming off a 6-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Stars have won five of their previous six games (5-1-0) and will switch to DeSmith between the pipes on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. DeSmith was solid in his most recent outing, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Devils. The 33-year-old goalie has enjoyed a solid first season in Dallas, posting a 2.47 GAA and .913 SV% in 18 appearances (10-6-0). The Stars enter Tuesday's contest as -163 home favorites against a Devils squad that will likely be without Jack Hughes due to an injury.

Bichsel has been sidelined the previous three games for the Stars due to a concussion but will likely return to the lineup on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. The 20-year-old Bichsel is averaging 15:04 time-on-ice and has five points (2G / 3A) in 18 games this season. Brendan Smith will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Bichsel's return.

With Lian Bichsel (concussion) expect to return to the Stars' lineup on Tuesday, Smith will be the odd-man out as a healthy scratch. The 36-year-old Smith is averaging 12:51 time-on-ice and has four points (0G / 4A) in 27 games this season.

The Stars have won five of their previous six games (5-1-0) and will likely switch to DeSmith between the pipes on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. DeSmith was solid in his most recent outing, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Devils. The 33-year-old goalie has enjoyed a solid first season in Dallas, posting a 2.47 GAA and .913 SV% in 18 appearances (10-6-0). The Stars enter Tuesday's contest as -163 home favorites against a Devils squad that will likely be without Jack Hughes due to an injury.

Bichsel has not played since exiting last Sunday's 4-3 win over the New York Islanders with only 9:00 time-on-ice after receiving a hit from Casey Cizikas. The 20-year-old Bichsel has already established himself as a staple on the Stars blueline this season, averaging 15:04 time-on-ice and recording five points (2G / 3A) in 18 contests.

Colin Blackwell will be a healthy scratch for Dallas on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings, allowing Back to re-enter the lineup. The 24-year-old Beck has impressed from a fourth-line role in his first NHL season, averaging 11:47 time-on-ice and scoring 13 points (3G / 10A) in 52 games.

Oskar Back will draw back into the Stars' lineup on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings, sending Blackwell to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 31-year-old Blackwell is averaging 11:42 time-on-ice and has 13 points (5G / 8A) in 50 games this season.

Bichsel exited Sunday's 4-3 win over the New York Islanders with only 9:00 time-on-ice after receiving a hit from Casey Cizikas, who was issued a five-minute major penalty on the play. The 20-year-old Bichsel has already established himself as a staple on the Stars blueline this season, averaging 15:04 time-on-ice and recording five points (2G / 3A) in 18 contests. He did not play on Tuesday but is making progress towards a near return.

The Stars will turn to Oettinger between the pipes on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings. Oettinger has a forgetful performance in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) in a 6-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 26-year-old netminder has a 2.43 GAA and .909 SV% in 42 games this season (27-13-2). The Stars enter Friday's contest as -131 home favorites against a Kings squad that defeated them 5-4 on February 7th.

Logan Stankoven will draw back into the Stars' lineup on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, resulting in Back being a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Beck has impressed from a fourth-line role in his first NHL season, averaging 11:47 time-on-ice and scoring 13 points (3G / 10A) in 52 games.

With Lian Bichsel (concussion) sidelined, Smith will re-enter the Stars' lineup on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 36-year-old Smith is averaging 12:44 time-on-ice and has four points (0G / 4A) through 24 games this season.

The Stars are among the league's hottest teams, collecting points in nine of their last 10 (8-1-1), and will turn to Oettinger between the pipes on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Oettinger saved 34 of 37 shots (.919 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-3 win over the New York Islanders. The 26-year-old netminder has a 2.37 GAA and .912 SV% in 41 games this season (27-12-2). The Stars enter Tuesday's contest as -172 road favorites against a Blue Jackets team they defeated 5-3 on February 2nd.

Bichsel exited Sunday's 4-3 win over the New York Islanders with only 9:00 time-on-ice after receiving a hit from Casey Cizikas, who was issued a five-minute major penalty on the play. The 20-year-old Bichsel has already established himself as a staple on the Stars blueline this season, averaging 15:04 time-on-ice and recording five points (2G / 3A) in 18 contests.