Stargazing: A Dallas Stars Puckcast | Defending Big D

The Dallas Stars are over-reliant on a few top-end guys at the moment, and at this point we all know that's the ride they bought a ticket for. But their Texas Stars call-ups are providing some encouragement about how the front office identifies, develops and deploys young talent.

Wes and Mark spent part of their Halloween weekend pondering these issues. In the latest episode of Stargazing, they talk about the Stars' development pipeline, how the team has leveraged college recruitment to compensate for its dearth of draft picks, the issues that still need addressing while we wait for Matt Duchene, what they think may be Arttu Hyry's most significant ability, and ever so much more.

What's your take on the first month of the season? Let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to Stargazing. We love you.

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As of this writing, the Dallas Stars are still keeping their powder dry on the David Perron rollout. But it probably isn't a bad time to talk about whether they've gotten help for their issues, or whether they've just gotten older and slower.

In this edition of Stargazing, Wes and Mark discuss how the Stars are trying to solve Matt Duchene's absence, and whether the Perron signing will help in that regard. Can a 38-year-old right shot who is capable of up to 20 goals per season bring relief in terms of 5-on-5 scoring and strength on the boards? How will he fit him into the lineup – and which of the Stars' forward pairings will benefit the most from his presence? Why does the team keep going back to their veteran-signing tactics? And why can't the Texas Stars be the answer for everything?Why does the team keep going back to their veteran-signing tactics? And why can't the Texas Stars be the answer for everything?

But where does Alex Chiasson factor into all this? The answer may surprise you. Let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts.

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The Dallas Stars have so much to look forward to as the season progresses. That's why we at Stargazing are happy to return to our most undersung tradition.

That's right: It's time for the Brightside Cast. In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark took a moment at the beginning of the season to recount everything that could go right this season. (Tyler Seguin, looking at you.) From the top six to Miro the Hero to Oettinger domination – and even to Arttu Hyry and Jamie Benn – they go into all of it.

Are the Stars living up to your fondest hopes? Or will they, eventually, you think? Let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts.

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Being a Dallas Stars fan still brings a bunch of baggage from the struggle years. Before your bad thoughts win out, we need to get them out.

Wes and Mark know exactly how that works, which is why the annual Doomcast is one of their favorite (and longest) shows. If you've listened to previous iterations, then you know how this works: First rule of Doomcast is you don't talk about injuries. To anyone, ever. Second rule of Doomcast is that everything else is up for disaster. And wow, these two can bring Starsing nightmares you never dared to speak out loud.

How ready are you for Tyler Myers, second-pairing defenseman? We're Stargazing, and that doesn't even make Doomcast: The Director's Cut. (Trust us, you've never even considered our bonus Doom – but good luck trying to forget about it.)

So anyway, let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts.

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The Dallas Stars' struggles in filling out their defense have defined much of their recent past. But will it define them in 2026-27?

In Stargazing's annual Positional Puckcast, Wes and Mark examine the blueline and find...a solid, functional unit. They discuss the ever-steady top pairing of Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell, the advent of Nils Lundvist, what to expect from Thomas Harley, a future for Lian Bichsel, the Wall of Humanity Pairing Featuring Tyler Myers, who will win the seventh-defender spot, and ever so much more.

Will Heiskanen ever get back on his strong side? Is that even a goal at this point? We're Stargazing, and we think Miro is better on his right-hand side than many actual right-handers. But let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts.

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If there's one thing the Dallas Stars don't have to worry about, it's their tandem in net. But what do fans expect to see from Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith in 2026-27?

In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark talk about the synergy between the net and the blueline, the importance of staying healthy (and how much that's worth paying for), the factors that stats can't seem to capture, the Him vs. Dog of it all, and ever so much more.

Really, who cares about save percentage? We're Stargazing, and we'd rather get credit for the wins. Let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts.

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When last we saw the Dallas Stars, they were transitioning from their "everyone scores 20 points" era into one in which a few big stars are responsible for most of the goal production. And in the 2026-27 NHL season, we can expect this Victory Green Gang to go as far as those elite players can take them.

In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark discuss who can play up, who can get called up, who has the chemistry to play with Mikko Rantanen, what the coaching staff must do to maximize the roster, what might happen if Wyatt Johnston becomes as dominant at 5-on-5 as he is on the power play...and so very much more.

Is Rémi Poirier ready for the big time? We're Stargazing, and we're not gonna be the ones to bet against it.

Bonus question: What do you want to see from Glen Gulutzan and his staff in 2026-27? Let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts.

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The Dallas Stars always knew they had a lot of work to get done in the 2026 NHL offseason. We fans always knew GM Jim Nill had a plan, and it surely involved re-signing both Jason Robertson and Mavrik Bourque.

So do we panic now that Plan A is dusted? Or is a Jim Nill Plan B good enough to keep the Stars rolling?

In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark discuss the battle to keep Robo (and who has a legitimate chance of taking him away), Jamie Benn's new deal, a show-me season for Thomas Harley, what the team needs from Mikko Rantanen, separating fact from fiction in the Stars' salary cap situation...and ever so much more.

So is Joel Kiviranta the good-luck charm we all need to ensure everything will be OK? We're Stargazing, and we're not dismissing the prospect out of hand.

Bonus question: Who are you watching among the Stars' new NHL Draft picks? Let's talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts.

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Well, the Dallas Stars exited the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs sooner than anyone wanted. It's going to be a long summer for all of us. What now?

In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark examined the takeaways from the Stars' all-too-short run. And along with the obvious issues (injuries, penalties, name it), they found some surprisingly positive evidence for the future (and you may or may not be surprised at how much of it probably ties into the promotion of Neil Graham).

So are you rooting for the asteroid, or the giant truck? We're Stargazing, and we're keeping our options open.

Bonus question: What will you look for in the next NHL Draft? Let's talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts.

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The Dallas Stars are coming home to a best-of-three series after another overtime in Minnesota – this one ending in a loss. What's next?

In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark discuss everything from the Nils Lundkvist's injury to Thomas Harley's impact, and from the performance of the top line to Michael Bunting's possible fit into the lineup.

Who needs to go off if the Stars want to close the deal? We're Stargazing, and we have our ideas.

What did you see in Game 4? Let us know at Defending Big D. And please don’t forget to rate, review and share wherever you listen.

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The Dallas Stars did what the Dallas Stars do on Wednesday night. And it worked out just fine – this time – as Dallas Stars things are liable to do, especially during series with the Minnesota Wild. (What did that one guy say?... Sixty percent of the time, it works all the time.)

In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark take a dive into the double-overtime victory in St. Paul. They discuss the revival of Dallas' special teams, who's really winning at 5-on-5, where puck luck and regression can make a difference (and for whom), why stupid fouls could still decide the series, predictions for Game 4, and so very, very much more.

If you can win the high-danger areas, you can probably win the series. We're Stargazing, and danger is our business.

What did you see in Game 3? Let us know at Defending Big D. And please don’t forget to rate, review and share wherever you listen. You're the real stars.

By the way, welcome to Stargazing. We love you.

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The Dallas Stars won on Monday night, and all of a sudden the Minnesota Wild look like the team that needs to adjust. The Stars' depth is beginning to come through. Will the Wild respond by shortening their bench to about five guys?

In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark go back to the blanket analogy: Whenever you cover one thing, you risk leaving something else exposed. They discuss how and why an early lead played to Dallas' strengths and Minnesota's weaknesses, what happens when every player succeeds in his role, and what we might see as the series travels to St. Paul.

It's still a long series, so the long game matters. We're Stargazing, and we're deliberately making these casts shorter, just so we can make more.

What's your take on Game 2? Let us know at Defending Big D. And please don’t forget to rate, review and share wherever you listen. It's the daily affirmation that we love most of all.

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There is nothing wrong with the Dallas Stars. Their systems work, and so does their lineup. And this Minnesota Wild team is still exactly what we thought it was. So how do we square these things with the...effort we saw in Game 1?

To make sense of Saturday's loss, we needed to bring in the big guns. So Wes and Mark tackled the topic with https://www.nhl.com/'s Taylor Baird – whom you also know as DBD's editor-in-chief. They went over the lines that worked (and didn't), the injuries that still dog the team, and what the Stars will do to rally after getting punched in the face.

The Stars have a history of losing the first game in a Stanley Cup Playoffs round, then going on to win the series. We're Stargazing, and we're taking the long view for as long as we can.

What's your take on Game 1? Let us know at Defending Big D. And please don’t forget to rate, review and share wherever you listen. It's the daily affirmation that we love most of all.

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And here we are again. The Dallas Stars will face the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs — which probably says more about the NHL's desperate need to revise their postseason format than anything, but that's a question for another time, and at any rate it's beyond the scope of this recording.

Rather, Wes and Mark would like to talk about how the Stars will approach the challenge at hand. In this episode of Stargazing, they discuss which players have the most to prove, how matchups will shape up given the crucial home-ice advantage, who stands to make the most of the playoffs, and so much more.

The two best players entering this series...? Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson have entered the chat. We're Stargazing, and the stats will back us up on this. (We've got more, if you want it.)

Which Stars will shine in Round 1? Let's talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. It's really all we think about these days.

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With around 300 man-games lost to injury this season, the 2025-26 Dallas Stars have been fortunate to get quality reinforcement from their AHL squad. Which, predictably, left their AHL squad struggling as players fought to adapt to the depletion of their own team.

So it's especially satisfying that the Texas Stars have not just survived, but thrived as they prepare for a postseason run of their own.

It's always the right time to catch up with Cedar Park, and Wes and Mark called in a top player for the task. Stephen Meserve, founder of the go-to T-Stars news site 100 Degree Hockey and co-author of We Win Here: The Definitive Essays You Need About The Texas Stars, joined the cast for a long and substantial discussion. They discuss how the organization prepares players to succeed in the big league, how college free agents have bolstered a team with a sparse draft-pick cupboard, how goaltending kept the T-Stars going during the turbulent first months of the 2025-26 season, and so much more.

Are Justin and Dylan Hryckowian the Stars' next great brother act? We're Stargazing, and we're asking you to put your money up.

Let's talk more at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. It's all we think about these days.

And if you want to know more about Stephen's recent work on the AHL's evolving usage of Professional Tryout contracts, hop over to 100 Degree Hockey for a good read (and some really interesting interactive charts).

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First of all, no: The Dallas Stars don't need to sit Jake Oettinger, and fans need to let go of that talking point. And no: It's not just because he tallied two shutouts in about a week.

In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark talk about why the Stars have placed so much of their trust in Otter — and it has almost nothing to do with his future Vezina Trophy prospects. They also discuss what the Lian Bichsel-Tyler Myers pair can bring to a Stanley Cup Playoffs series, how to evaluate goalie performance as part of team defense, and which forwards should play on which lines during the postseason. They also expand their Expected Rawr (xRawr) chart to include even more current and historical Stars players.

Sometimes the solution that works is not the solution you had in mind. We’re Stargazing, and we're a tree. We can bend.

Which Stars are in which xRawr quadrant? So far, Wes and Mark have calculated rankings for the following players, current and historic:

•

• Sam Steel
• Jason Spezza
• Alex Radulov
• Miro Heiskanen
• Esa Lindell
• Marty Turco

Let's talk more at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. It really makes our day.

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The Dallas Stars have visibly struggled with late-season injuries in the past couple of weeks. And nowhere has this been more apparent than in the depleted forward corps. How do you rotate lines when the second line is missing?

In this episode, Wes and Mark talk about this in depth. They discuss whether Michael Bunting needs to play on the first line, the possibility that Tyler Myers has a Jordie Benn problem, the state of the defense, how the Stars' run-up to the Stanley Cup Playoffs is panning out, and – of course – who falls where on the Expected Rawr (xRawr) chart, now enhanced with up to 37 percent more made-up stats.

You take two of your best players off the roster, and all of a sudden forward depth is an issue. We’re Stargazing, and we get it. We really do.

Which Stars are in which xRawr quadrant? So far, Wes and Mark have calculated rankings for the following players, current and historic:

•

• Sam Steel
• Jason Spezza
• Alex Radulov

(Yes, we are this committed to the bit. Get on board now, or risk an injury when you try to jump this train during the playoffs.)

Let's talk more at Defending Big D. And don't forget to give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. That's, like, our whole thing right now.

Welcome to Stargazing. We love you.

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What's the most important thing about These Dallas Stars? Maybe it's the two most important things – the players who are Him, and the players who have that Dawg in them. OK, make that the three most important things, because of the players who are both Him and Dawg.

If you're a regular Stargazing listener, you may know that Wes and Mark like to talk about this, as well as the associated stat they created pretty much out of thin air. For branding and hashtagging purposes, we'll call it Expected Rawr (xRawr). In this edition, they discuss how Matt Duchene makes Sam Steel better (and vice versa), the balance in net between Jake Oettinger (Him) and Casey DeSmith (Dawg), those all-important players in the upper right quadrant, and ever so much more.

The best statistics are the ones you make up. (Sixty percent of the time, this is true all the time.) We’re Stargazing, and we can make stuff up as well as any podcast out there.

Which Stars would you assign to each xRawr quadrant? Let's talk about it at Defending Big D. And don't forget to give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. That's, like, our whole thing right now.

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The Dallas Stars got a big defender and a left wing before the NHL shut down for the final run toward the Stanley Cup Playoffs. How does this help, exactly?

Wes and Mark have their ideas. In this edition of Stargazing, they talk about how the Central Division will play during bonus weeks, what the Stars' lines and pairs could look like, and why the most interesting signing may not be the one you think it is.

Everyone needs more dog in their lineup. We're Stargazing, and we're brought to you by our favorite law firm, Miro Esa and Thomas.

Are the Stars better now than they were before the trade deadline? Let us know what you think. And please, give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts.

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The Dallas Stars brought quite a bit of hardware home from the 2026 Winter Olympics. They also brought a couple of concerning injuries and at least one troubling illness. And now that Tyler Seguin is officially out for the season, does the front office have to make a move before the March 6 NHL trade deadline?

Wes and Mark have been pondering this question for quite some time. In this edition of Stargazing, they talk about the Stars' identity, the roles Cedar Park can't fill, the possibility of the team flexing its physical side during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Jim Nill's prospective legacy, the pressure to win it all, and ever so much more.*

Question for the group: Would you rather we bring in a guest expert to talk about potential moves before the deadline, or to discuss the fallout after GMJN has done (or not done) what he will? Let us know at Defending Big D. Your input matters!

And please, give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Stargazing. We love you.

*NOTE: All 4 Nations-Winter Olympics conflations (and others) intentionally left intact. (What? Now I have to sit in front of you and fix someone else’s gaffes? It’s not my responsibility.)

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