Stargazing: A Dallas Stars Puckcast | Defending Big D

The Dallas Stars are over-reliant on a few top-end guys at the moment, and at this point we all know that's the ride they bought a ticket for. But their Texas Stars call-ups are providing some encouragement about how the front office identifies, develops and deploys young talent. Wes and Mark spent part of their Halloween weekend pondering these issues. In the latest episode of Stargazing, they talk about the Stars' development pipeline, how the team has leveraged college recruitment to compensate for its dearth of draft picks, the issues that still need addressing while we wait for Matt Duchene, what they think may be Arttu Hyry's most significant ability, and ever so much more. What's your take on the first month of the season? Let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Stargazing. We love you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As of this writing, the Dallas Stars are still keeping their powder dry on the David Perron rollout. But it probably isn't a bad time to talk about whether they've gotten help for their issues, or whether they've just gotten older and slower. In this edition of Stargazing, Wes and Mark discuss how the Stars are trying to solve Matt Duchene's absence, and whether the Perron signing will help in that regard. Can a 38-year-old right shot who is capable of up to 20 goals per season bring relief in terms of 5-on-5 scoring and strength on the boards? How will he fit him into the lineup – and which of the Stars' forward pairings will benefit the most from his presence? Why does the team keep going back to their veteran-signing tactics? And why can't the Texas Stars be the answer for everything?Why does the team keep going back to their veteran-signing tactics? And why can't the Texas Stars be the answer for everything? But where does Alex Chiasson factor into all this? The answer may surprise you. Let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Stargazing. We love you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Dallas Stars have so much to look forward to as the season progresses. That's why we at Stargazing are happy to return to our most undersung tradition. That's right: It's time for the Brightside Cast. In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark took a moment at the beginning of the season to recount everything that could go right this season. (Tyler Seguin, looking at you.) From the top six to Miro the Hero to Oettinger domination – and even to Arttu Hyry and Jamie Benn – they go into all of it. Are the Stars living up to your fondest hopes? Or will they, eventually, you think? Let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Stargazing. We love you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Being a Dallas Stars fan still brings a bunch of baggage from the struggle years. Before your bad thoughts win out, we need to get them out. Wes and Mark know exactly how that works, which is why the annual Doomcast is one of their favorite (and longest) shows. If you've listened to previous iterations, then you know how this works: First rule of Doomcast is you don't talk about injuries. To anyone, ever. Second rule of Doomcast is that everything else is up for disaster. And wow, these two can bring Starsing nightmares you never dared to speak out loud. How ready are you for Tyler Myers, second-pairing defenseman? We're Stargazing, and that doesn't even make Doomcast: The Director's Cut. (Trust us, you've never even considered our bonus Doom – but good luck trying to forget about it.) So anyway, let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Stargazing. We love you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Dallas Stars' struggles in filling out their defense have defined much of their recent past. But will it define them in 2026-27? In Stargazing's annual Positional Puckcast, Wes and Mark examine the blueline and find...a solid, functional unit. They discuss the ever-steady top pairing of Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell, the advent of Nils Lundvist, what to expect from Thomas Harley, a future for Lian Bichsel, the Wall of Humanity Pairing Featuring Tyler Myers, who will win the seventh-defender spot, and ever so much more. Will Heiskanen ever get back on his strong side? Is that even a goal at this point? We're Stargazing, and we think Miro is better on his right-hand side than many actual right-handers. But let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Stargazing. We love you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If there's one thing the Dallas Stars don't have to worry about, it's their tandem in net. But what do fans expect to see from Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith in 2026-27? In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark talk about the synergy between the net and the blueline, the importance of staying healthy (and how much that's worth paying for), the factors that stats can't seem to capture, the Him vs. Dog of it all, and ever so much more. Really, who cares about save percentage? We're Stargazing, and we'd rather get credit for the wins. Let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Stargazing. We love you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When last we saw the Dallas Stars, they were transitioning from their "everyone scores 20 points" era into one in which a few big stars are responsible for most of the goal production. And in the 2026-27 NHL season, we can expect this Victory Green Gang to go as far as those elite players can take them. In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark discuss who can play up, who can get called up, who has the chemistry to play with Mikko Rantanen, what the coaching staff must do to maximize the roster, what might happen if Wyatt Johnston becomes as dominant at 5-on-5 as he is on the power play...and so very much more. Is Rémi Poirier ready for the big time? We're Stargazing, and we're not gonna be the ones to bet against it. Bonus question: What do you want to see from Glen Gulutzan and his staff in 2026-27? Let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Stargazing. We love you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Dallas Stars always knew they had a lot of work to get done in the 2026 NHL offseason. We fans always knew GM Jim Nill had a plan, and it surely involved re-signing both Jason Robertson and Mavrik Bourque. So do we panic now that Plan A is dusted? Or is a Jim Nill Plan B good enough to keep the Stars rolling? In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark discuss the battle to keep Robo (and who has a legitimate chance of taking him away), Jamie Benn's new deal, a show-me season for Thomas Harley, what the team needs from Mikko Rantanen, separating fact from fiction in the Stars' salary cap situation...and ever so much more. So is Joel Kiviranta the good-luck charm we all need to ensure everything will be OK? We're Stargazing, and we're not dismissing the prospect out of hand. Bonus question: Who are you watching among the Stars' new NHL Draft picks? Let's talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Stargazing. We love you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Well, the Dallas Stars exited the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs sooner than anyone wanted. It's going to be a long summer for all of us. What now? In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark examined the takeaways from the Stars' all-too-short run. And along with the obvious issues (injuries, penalties, name it), they found some surprisingly positive evidence for the future (and you may or may not be surprised at how much of it probably ties into the promotion of Neil Graham). So are you rooting for the asteroid, or the giant truck? We're Stargazing, and we're keeping our options open. Bonus question: What will you look for in the next NHL Draft? Let's talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Stargazing. We love you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Dallas Stars are coming home to a best-of-three series after another overtime in Minnesota – this one ending in a loss. What's next? In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark discuss everything from the Nils Lundkvist's injury to Thomas Harley's impact, and from the performance of the top line to Michael Bunting's possible fit into the lineup. Who needs to go off if the Stars want to close the deal? We're Stargazing, and we have our ideas. What did you see in Game 4? Let us know at Defending Big D. And please don’t forget to rate, review and share wherever you listen. Welcome to Stargazing. We love you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.