The Dallas Stars have existed since 1993 but were first established as the Minnesota North Stars in 1967. The Stars have a rich history, and they’ve made a lot of acquisitions, draft picks, and trades over the last 30 years, which was pretty much my entire life.
That being said, I’ll share my top ten favorite Dallas Stars players right now.
Honorable mention: Jamie Benn
You’re probably wondering why I’ve added Jamie Benn as my honorable mention.
Whether you’ve been following me for one, three, five, seven, or ten years, you’ve likely seen me make the Internet explode occasionally. I can laugh about this now, but at the time, I didn’t understand why I couldn’t say that Benn wasn’t captain material. I still don’t see Benn as captain material, but he has been on the Stars’ roster since 2009, and he’s arguably a mainstay and perhaps a future Hockey Hall of Famer. Benn’s a solid left wing with good size, strength, skill, and intelligence on- and off- the ice.
See, I can read and accept the criticism from the public. It’s easier for someone to disagree and throw punches, but it’s not easy to look at both sides first.
10. Ty Dellandrea
Honestly, I’d never heard of Ty Dellandrea until this spring ahead of a podcast episode. I’m not perfect, and I had a blank look on my face, which luckily wasn’t shown as that was an audio-only appearance. But I looked Dellandrea up on Google after hopping on the podcast.
After an up-and-down 2022-23 NHL season, Dellandrea netted back-to-back goals in 1:27 to help the Dallas Stars beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final to force a Game 6. Dellandrea, however, has solidified himself as a full-time center and right wing for the Stars.
Dellandrea was “definitely excited” for the 2023-24 NHL season in Dallas, according to NHLPA.com, and I don’t blame him one bit. Dellandrea’s scoring prowess (and talent) has certainly translated to the NHL.
9. Ryan Suter
I’ve followed veteran defenseman Ryan Suter since 2012 when he played for the Minnesota Wild after a seven-year tenure with the Nashville Predators from 2005 to 2012. Ryan Suter’s uncle, Gary Suter, was also a solid defenseman who played in the NHL from 1985 to 2002 and won a Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames in 1989.
Suter signed a four-year, $14.6 million contract with the Dallas Stars in 2021. At 38 years old, Suter is one of the oldest players on the Stars’ roster at the moment. Suter, however, is a good defenseman with a physicality that’s not hard-hitting. Suter can make things tough for potential forecheckers.
8. Matt Duchene
The Dallas Stars signed Matt Duchene on the first day of this summer’s free agency. Duchene previously played for the Nashville Predators, who bought him out in the 2023 offseason after four seasons.
I saw that some Stars fans questioned this signing, but I just thought to myself, “The Stars should give him a chance and see how things go.” I can’t comment on the future, but as of right now, I like and respect Duchene’s hockey IQ and skills. I think Duchene has surprised some, if not most, fans so far.
7. Wyatt Johnston
Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston conquered the OHL and became a promising rookie in the NHL. Johnston’s consistency and maturity on and off the ice have worked in his favor. Johnston was drafted 23rd overall by the Stars in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Johnston lived with veteran alternate captain Joe Pavelski during his rookie season with the Stars and reportedly renewed his lease with the Pavelskis for his sophomore season. Personally, I think this can help Johnston out in the short- and long-term as he’ll likely avoid a sophomore slump while learning lessons from one of the NHL’s best forwards. Johnston’s a shining star even though it might take some time to write and pronounce his last name correctly, including myself.
6. Miro Heiskanen
Dallas Stars defenseman and alternate captain Miro Heiskanen has been with the team since 2017. Heiskanen was drafted third overall by the Stars in the 2017 NHL Draft. Heiskanen went on to sign a three-year, entry-level contract worth $10.275 million on July 8, 2017, and spent the 2017-18 Liiga season on loan with the HIFK, before being named to the Stars’ roster for the 2018-19 NHL season.
Heiskanen has an offensive-oriented game and a lot of potential. And, whether or not Heiskanen gets an enforcer-type partner, the Finland native is arguably an elite defenseman for the Stars’ blue line.
5. Tyler Seguin
Tyler Seguin is another Stars player who’s not only a veteran center and alternate captain, but also a household name in Dallas. Seguin began his NHL career in 2010 with the Boston Bruins after being selected second overall in the 2010 NHL Draft. Seguin spent three years in Boston from 2010 to 2013.
Just days after the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, Seguin was traded to the Dallas Stars as part of a seven-player trade that sent him, Rich Peverley, and Ryan Button in exchange for Loui Eriksson, Joe Morrow, Reilly Smith, and Matt Fraser. Seguin became friends with Stars captain Jamie Benn in the 2013-14 NHL season.
It’s unlikely Seguin will become the Stars’ next captain, but the Ontario, Canada, native is an extremely talented center with excellent skills in all three zones. And, for those of you who have asked me who I think is the hottest Stars player, it’s Seguin.
4. Roope Hintz
Roope Hintz is arguably an underrated forward for the Stars and in the NHL as a whole. Hintz was born and raised in Finland, where he learned how to skate and played basketball, hockey, and soccer. Hintz later decided to pursue a hockey career. Hintz, a center and a left wing, was drafted 49th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Hintz reminds me of an actual Ace of Spades card as he appears to have strength and authority on the Stars’ roster even if he might not be aggressive, loud, etc. Hintz’s ability to step up when it matters makes him a successful player on the ice.
3. Jake Oettinger
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger, also known as Otter, has received high praise — and for a good reason. Oettinger reportedly wants to be the best goaltender in the world, and I’m not surprised at all. Oettinger’s apparently a hard worker on and off the ice.
Oettinger was drafted 26th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2017 NHL Draft. Previously, the Lakeville, Minnesota, native attended Lakeville North High School and Boston University.
Oettinger’s arguably a top-five goaltender in the NHL. His physical ability and presence in the net, mental strength in high-pressure situations, and ability to bounce back make him a solid starting goalie.
2. Joe Pavelski
I’ve been a huge fan of Joe Pavelski since he played for the San Jose Sharks, and I’ve covered the Sharks for one-and-a-half seasons out of college, but I’m sorry for making him my second favorite Stars player.
No offense to Pavelski, but neither he nor the Dallas Stars pay my bills.
Pavelski, a center and a right wing, played for the San Jose Sharks from 2006 to 2019 before signing with the Dallas Stars as an unrestricted free agent in 2019. Pavelski is no longer a captain, just an alternate captain, but that’s alright. Pavelski is one of the greatest American NHL players regardless. Pavelski is also a great leader on and off the ice who has made a significant impact in Dallas.
I think Pavelski will get another one-year contract extension for 2024-25 and then retire from the NHL.
1. Jason Robertson
Dallas sports teams are blessed with young stars like Jason Robertson, Luka Dončić, and Micah Parsons. But let’s look at Robertson, who was drafted 39th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2017 NHL Draft.
In 2019-20, Robertson was one of the Dallas Stars’ final roster cuts, so he started his professional hockey career as a third-line wing for the AHL’s Texas Stars. Robertson, however, got called up in 2020 after Alexander Radulov sustained an injury. Since then, the Southern California native has become the new face of the Stars and his hard-working attitude has paid off.
Earlier this year, my coworkers and I talked about sharing birthdays with NHL players and coaches. In my case, I share the same birthday (July 22) with Robertson, but I’m six years older than him. Anyways, Robertson isn’t only a hockey star, but also a great role model for future hockey players and a major inspiration for Asian Americans like myself.
