Lyubushkin will join his fourth NHL team in three seasons after signing a two-year contract worth $6.5 million ($3.25M AAV) with Dallas on Monday. The 30-year-old shutdown defender will make a solid replacement for Chris Tanev after he posted no goals, eight points, 57 PIMs and a -11 plus/minus in 74 games played between Anaheim and Toronto in 2023-24.
Matt Duchene will return to Dallas after an incredibly successful first season with the Stars in 2023-24 after signing a one-year, $3.0 million on Monday. The 33-year-old just completed his 15th NHL season and had 25 goals and 65 points in 80 games played in 2023-24.
After not receiving a qualifying offer, the Stars signed Steel to a one-year deal to return to the bottom-6. The 25-year-old forward had a productive season for a fourth liner, scoring nine goals with 15 assists (24 points) in 77 games. Look for him to play a similar depth role and serve as a primary penalty killer in 2024-25.
Petrovic only appeared in one game for Dallas in 2023-24 but has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract extension to remain with the Stars next season. The 32-year-old spent his majority of 2023-24 with the Texas Stars (AHL) and had five goals and 22 points in 70 games played.
Back spent the entire 2024 season in Texas (AHL), where he tallied seven goals and 29 assists (36 points). The 2018 third-round pick will likely start the 2025 season in the AHL again.
Kolyachonok had a goal and four points in five total games played in 2023-24 with Arizona and signed a two-year contract extension on Monday. The 23-year-old was originally drafted by Florida in 2019 in the 2nd round (52nd overall) and has seven points in 39 total NHL games played across three seasons.
Oettinger allowed four goals on 28 shots in the Stars' loss in Edmonton in Game 4. Oettinger gave up seven goals in two games in Edmonton and now has a .912 SV% in the series and a .917 SV% across 17 postseason games. Oettinger and the Stars come into Game 5 as -117 home favourites.
Faksa last appeared in Game 1 vs. Edmonton but will return to the lineup on Wednesday as he replaces Craig Smith for Game 4. The 30-year-old has appeared in seven games so far in the playoffs, with one goal, no assists, and six SOG while averaging only 12:05 TOI/GP.
Oettinger allowed three goals on 38 shots (.921 SV%) in crushing Game 1 overtime defeat but will expectedly take the crease again for Game 2 on Saturday. The 25-year-old towering netminder has been a brick wall all playoffs, with his 8-6-0 record, 2.10 GAA and .917 SV% in 14 games played. He will host the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday for Game 2, who are in the midst of a three-game win streak and will be looking to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
Hintz has missed the last three games due to an upper-body injury but was a full participant in Saturday's optional morning skate and will be a game-time decision for Game 2. The 27-year-old will be a massive return to Dallas' top six if he can play on Saturday, adding two goals and six points in 11 games played in the playoffs before his injury.
