The Dallas Stars made the NHL’s biggest splash at the 2025 trade deadline, acquiring elite forward Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes on March 7 in exchange for promising forward Logan Stankoven, two first-round picks (2026 and 2028), and two third-round picks (2026 and 2027). Rantanen, a former 50-goal scorer with the Colorado Avalanche, signed an eight-year, $96 million extension with Dallas, instantly making them a Stanley Cup favorite. With Rantanen’s 70 points (27 goals, 43 assists) in 62 games this season and a playoff pedigree of 101 points in 81 games, the Stars’ forward group—already featuring Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Wyatt Johnston—might be the deepest in the Western Conference. But while their offense and goaltending look championship-caliber, a lingering injury to star defenseman Miro Heiskanen could derail their postseason hopes.
Rantanen’s addition has supercharged an already potent offense. Robertson, after a slow start, has surged, notching a natural hat trick against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, March 26, bringing his season totals to 32 goals and 71 points. Paired with Rantanen and Hintz, the Stars’ top line is a nightmare for opposing defenses. Since January 1, Dallas has led the NHL in wins (19), points (39), and goal differential (+28), per NHL EDGE stats, and their 115 high-danger goals rank second league-wide. Mikael Granlund, acquired from the San Jose Sharks on February 1, adds further depth, while Tyler Seguin, sidelined since December with a hip injury, is expected back by the regular season’s end on April 16, per coach Pete DeBoer.
In net, Jake Oettinger—fresh off a massive extension—has been a rock, with a save percentage above .900 and a goals-against average below 3.00 in all five of his NHL seasons. His performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off, allowing just two goals in a 2-1 loss to Sweden, underscores his elite status, even if Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck, a likely Vezina winner, remains the gold standard. Oettinger’s consistency gives Dallas a chance to match any team in a goaltending duel, a critical factor in the playoffs.
But the Stars’ defense is a question mark. Heiskanen, their top defenseman, has been out since January 28 with a knee injury, undergoing surgery on February 4. A recent report from NHL.com on March 18 indicated he might miss the first round of the playoffs, a timeline DeBoer confirmed as a “realistic possibility.” Posts on X from insiders like
@BruceLeVinePuck and
@Lassimak echo this, noting Heiskanen is in the gym but not yet skating. Without him, Dallas faces a potential first-round matchup against the Colorado Avalanche, who boast Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. Heiskanen’s 25:10 average ice time and 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) in 50 games this season are irreplaceable, and his absence could expose a shaky right side of the defense—Ilya Lyubushkin, Cody Ceci, and Matt Dumba have all struggled at times, while Thomas Harley and Esa Lindell hold down the left.
The Western Conference is a gauntlet. If the Stars survive Colorado, they could face the Winnipeg Jets, led by Hellebuyck, in the second round. Dallas’ balance—elite offense, strong goaltending, and a potentially healthy Heiskanen—could match up well against Winnipeg, especially if Oettinger outduels Hellebuyck. The Stars’ path mirrors their 2020 run to the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to Tampa Bay. Since then, the West has seen a different team in the Final each year—Colorado in 2022, Vegas in 2023, and Edmonton in 2024. Dallas could be next, especially after the Eastern Conference’s dominance, with Florida teams (Tampa Bay and the Panthers) winning three of the last five Cups.
However, the narrative of Dallas as the “most balanced” team in the West might be overstated. The Avalanche, with MacKinnon, Makar, and a bolstered roster after adding Brock Nelson, remain a juggernaut. Vegas, with their 2023 Cup-winning blueprint of stout defense and timely scoring, is still a threat, as is Edmonton with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Rantanen gives Dallas an edge offensively, but without Heiskanen, their defense may not hold up against the West’s high-flying attacks. If Heiskanen returns by the second round, as DeBoer hopes, the Stars could indeed go all the way—but if he’s out longer, their Cup dreams might hinge on outscoring their problems, a risky strategy in the playoffs. For now, Dallas looks like a contender, but their fate rests on Heiskanen’s knee as much as Rantanen’s stick.
