5 Dallas Stars players and personnel detrimental to roster retool after going all-in this season feat. Mikko Rantanen

The Dallas Stars face a tough offseason as the team finds itself in an unenviable cap crunch and several free agents to sign.

Plus, the dismissal of former head coach Peter DeBoer leaves a dark cloud hanging over the franchise’s future heading into next season and beyond. The club will have to make some tough choices this offseason as it looks to retool following a gut-wrenching loss to the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final.

So, let’s take a look at five Dallas Stars team members who are detrimental to the team’s roster retool after going all-in this season.

5 Dallas Stars players and personnel detrimental to roster retool after going all-in this season

#5 Jake Oettinger

The relationship between Oettinger and the Stars could have been damaged this spring - Source: Imagn

Jake Oettinger struggled in the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers after standing on his head against the Colorado Avalanche in the first round and outdueling presumptive Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck in round 2.

But it’s not Oettinger’s performance that might be a cause for concern. Instead, there’s no telling how much his public feud with DeBoer could have soured his feelings with the Dallas Stars organization.

If Oettinger is uncomfortable with his current situation, he may force the Stars’ hand and move him.

#4 Jamie Benn

Jamie Benn, the Dallas Stars’ captain, is an unrestricted free agent this season. He’s 35 and has shown no signs of wanting to retire.

The Stars have also indicated that they’d love to have their captain back next season. But they don’t have the cap space to re-sign him. Unless Benn agreed to play for league minimum, it’s doubtful the Stars could afford to bring him back.

If the Stars do choose to bring Benn back, it could be at the expense of other useful roster players.

#3 Matt Dumba

Matt Dumba might be a cap casualty for Dallas this summer - Source: Imagn

Matt Dumba has one year remaining on a two-year deal that carries a $3.75 million cap hit. While he’s a solid bottom-pairing blue liner at this point in his career, he’s far too expensive for that role.

Rumors have surfaced that the Dallas Stars will be looking to move him and Ilya Lyubushkin to clear cap space to sign other free agents like Mikael Granlund.

However, it seems unclear if the Stars will find any takers for either blue liner’s contracts. If the Stars can’t find any trade partners, they may have to pay another team to take Dumba or Lyubushkin’s contracts off their hands.

#2 Jim Nill

Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill has been widely recognized among the NHL’s best executives. However, he’s painted himself into a corner by going all-in this season.

In particular, the trade and signing of Mikko Rantanen stand out as highly risky moves. Had the Stars made it at least to the Stanley Cup, the gamble to bring Rantanen into the fold would have been seen as worthwhile.

Now, Rantanen’s $12 million cap hit over the next eight years has quickly become a stumbling block. The Stars’ cap situation has led to rumors about Jason Robertson’s availability, making matters even more complicated for Nill.

#1 Mikko Rantanen

Mikko Rantanen's cap hit could be a major issue for Dallas this summer - Source: Imagn

Mikko Rantanen has immediately paid dividends for the Dallas Stars. He torched his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. He then went berserk against the Winnipeg Jets, unfortunately cooling off against the Edmonton Oilers.

However, Rantanen’s $12 million cap hit is something that will keep the Stars up at night. The team has less than $5 million in cap space this summer and a host of free agents to retain.

While fans can’t blame Rantanen for doing what’s best for him, and the Stars for making the best possible move available to them at the time, Rantanen’s cap hit is fast becoming an albatross keeping the Stars from an effective roster retool.