Analysts are raising doubts about Jim Nill’s recent decision with the Dallas Stars, and fans are vocal about it.
The Dallas Stars made a depth addition by signing forward Nathan Bastian, but the impact of this move could create complications in their lineup. At first glance, adding Bastian seemed like a straightforward decision: he brings size, grit, and physicality to the bottom six. However, when you examine the Stars’ roster more closely, the move starts to look more complex. With multiple depth forwards already signed, Bastian’s addition creates a crowded battle for limited ice time. As The Hockey News pointed out, the Stars now have five players vying for fourth-line spots, but only three positions are available.
The return of Radek Faksa from his time in St. Louis makes him the front-runner for the fourth-line center role. On the wings, Sam Steel, Oskar Bäck, and Colin Blackwell were expected to rotate in based on form and matchups. Now, Bastian’s signing forces someone out or potentially promotes someone to a higher role. That could mean a spot on the third line, which leads to further complications. Jamie Benn is expected to bounce back after a tough end to last season, and Steel, who may be bumped up, only scored six goals in 2024-25. With Evgenii Dadonov leaving for New Jersey after a 20-goal season, the third line is already uncertain. This situation increases pressure on the Stars’ top six, where Matt Duchene and Tyler Seguin are getting older and will need to carry more of the load.
As one analyst put it, “Unless the bottom six can provide consistent offense, Dallas may lean too heavily on its stars again.” The Bastian signing could turn out to be solid insurance, or it may highlight weaknesses in a lineup still trying to balance veterans with depth. Ultimately, this move seems less about Bastian and more about what it suggests: Jim Nill is still not completely confident in the bottom six, and the upcoming training camp will likely determine who stays and who is sidelined.
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