Dallas Stars expand the Finnish Mafia with Joel Kiviranta’s return—can his legendary playoff heroics spark another deep run? Joey Erickson dissects the one-year, $1 million signing and what Kiviranta’s arrival means for the Stars’ forward depth, defensive reliability, and penalty kill. With names like Radek Faksa, Sam Steel, and Oscar Back in the mix, tough decisions loom as the team eyes cap flexibility, potential trades, and a sharper fourth line. Erickson explores the broader roster puzzle, debating whether Steel or Faksa should be traded, the case for re-signing Michael Bunting and Jamie Benn, and whether the Stars have the scoring depth to contend. Attention turns to top prospect Emil Hemming’s breakout season—could he break into the NHL at 20? With Jason Robertson’s contract situation casting a shadow, the Dallas Stars’ offseason maneuvers raise burning questions about their offense and playoff ambitions
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00:00 — Yoel Kiviranta Returns: Analysis
10:03 — Foxa vs. Steel: Who Moves?
20:08 — Emil Hemming’s NHL Path
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Yawwwwwnnnn
He had 1 great game. Ever since average
Just as the Av's found out, he is like a d-tease – shows up and keeps you saying "okay, this time, oh, well its going to be this time, and the years keep passing by, and at least some salary cap is chewed up. Stars really got an F this entire free agency season…should have dumped Seguin, even though Benn is a FA – dumped him, pushed out everyone on D except Miro and Esa – Bischel was just madly exposed in the playoffs that he cannot contain talented wingers, traded De Smith to pick up scoring talent and another goalie, and probably traded aging Duchene and an oft injured Roope…Signed Robertson, and went after elite talent still on the boards…I know its hard to part with these players, but the Stars are aging out and injury proned players on IR lead to poor 5v5 scoring and that is exactly the Stars problem. They are a round 1-2 playoff team, but without proven 5v5 scoring and 3-4 lines, you can't get to the dance, you almost get there. Trading Bourque having not learned from the Stankhoven trade was one of the dumbest moves I have seen by Jim Nils. Stupid. After the dust has settled, I still think coming out of the West its the Avalanche as long as they don't have to face Vegas or the Stars. Its not that they can't beat either team, I just think the Av's have a mental problem that dates back to the first round loss to the Kraken after their SC. For some reason, once the Avs lose a game in a playoff round, you can see their entire demeanor changes and they turtle. I think it harkens back to the first round against the Kraken, they never thought they were going to lose that series and since then, they cannot mentally break through from that series loss. Just my opinion.
What a Fing Joke!!! Blake Colemen lives in Frisco and Minnesota signed him this morning!!!!
Nil is an idiot and it is now on display for all to see. Benn needs to be gone!!! 57 needs to be gone. Go get 13 from the Rangers..Trade Otter for clutter buck….Just go get Larkin!!! Trade Robertson to New York or Torronto!!! WTF is Nill doing????
Move Faksa and Steel both. Find a second line Left wing that's worth a shit.
The end game is: get to next season. I accept this is a punt year. Frankly, I think if the Stars get into the playoffs this year,they over achieved. Colorado will still be good, though not as deep. Minny is way better. Nashville got better. Winnepeg, you never know. Utah looks pretty incredible. Blues look decent. The only central team I know the Stars are better than is Chicago… Despite their records against each other.
Nil is going to offload Steel and Faksa now and pay Robo $13.5 M. Thanks Robo for depleting our team and making us worse this next year. We won't recover from this until the following year when we have more cap space. They paid Harley way to much money too! Oh well!!!!!! Get ready for a true "down year" next season because we are now worse than last year.
I’ve been eager to see Emil Hemming play in the show!
I like what you are proposing especially with trading Faska and Steel and sign Bunting. If they want to sign Bunting and Robo, I think they are going to have to get rid of Otter or Harley along with Faska and Steel. If Hemming becomes a great goal scorer in a couple of years, then he ask for a new contract 12 million AAV. Do we have money for that with long term contracts with Robo, Mikko, and Harley?