Stargazing: A Dallas Stars Puckcast | Defending Big D

The rise of advanced stats in hockey has taught us that much of what we know about the Dallas Stars is bad. Just look at them: 31st in the NHL in shot share, 24th in expected goals...so how in the world do they just - keep - winning? Wes and Mark have decided that this year's Stars were built this way on purpose. And in this edition of Stargazing, they make the case. They discuss the type of shots the team makes, the type they give up, and how the type of game they play means they perhaps don't get as much credit as they deserve for their own success. Loading a whole other power-play unit...cats and dogs playing together...mass hysteria! We're Stargazing, and we endorse it. What about you? Tell us what you'd like to see at Defending Big D. And if you're listening, please gift us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. We love you. Especially at holiday time. 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 having themselves a season, injuries and roster holes and recent losses notwithstanding. But this year, that success has come at an organizational cost — and their brethren in Cedar Park have often been the ones paying it. Mark Zimmerman loves discussing the Texas Stars, and even more so when he can enlist Stephen Meserve to talk with. Late last week, the founder of the go-to T-Stars news site 100 Degree Hockey and co-author of We Win Here: The Definitive Essays You Need About The Texas Stars joined him for a fireside chat. In this episode, they talk about the slump in special teams, the boost the offense needs, the long-term effects of trading away draft picks, the surprisingly happy news about the defense and goaltending, and why Texas is still in striking distance of the 2026 Calder Cup playoffs in spite of all their challenges. As a bonus, they also ponder how the Idaho Steelheads just. keep. winning. Somehow. Who would you like to see step and be That Guy in Metro Austin? Tell us at Defending Big D. We may even discuss your thoughts in a future cast. (No, really!) And, as always, please rate, review, or share wherever you get your ’casts. We're Stargazing, and 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.

With Tyler Seguin's season-ending injury, the Dallas Stars face a challenge above and beyond even their other well-documented woes in the man-games-lost department in 2026-27. The question now is how they will try to fill his roster spot...unless, perhaps, the real question is whether they need to at all. Any time there's this much money involved, Wes and Mark know what to do — and that's to call on Juraj Kralik. In this edition, they all discuss the finer points of long-term injured reserve, how the newly christened Mark Stone Rule will complicate the playoffs picture, why the Stars might skip right past a rental forward and look to trade for another impact defender, why doing nothing may be a viable answer, and so much more. You know what might really fix everything? Getting those '99 sweaters back in stock. We’re Stargazing, and we can tell you why. What's your answer? Tell us at Defending Big D. And hey, don't forget to give us a rate, review or share wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks in advance. We love you all. 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 a better team now than they were a month ago...and they're still not as good as they project to be with a healthy lineup. In the spirit of the season, it's time for some thanksgiving. As it turns out, Wes and Mark know all about being grateful for the bounty in Big D. In this edition, they discuss Jason Robertson's record-setting heater, Tyler Seguin's creativity, Mikko Rantanen's magic, Miro Heiskanen's renaissance, Wyatt Johnston's yet-untapped potential, the power play's deadly efficiency, and so much more. This is one of the top two teams in the NHL. In the NHL. We’re Stargazing, and we're loving (almost) every minute of it. How about you? Talk to us at Defending Big D. And while you're at it, please give us a rate, review or share at a podcast aggregator near you. Thanks in advance. We love you all. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Somehow, the Dallas Stars have become one of the NHL's most dangerous power-play teams with only one power-play unit. And that's not the weird part. Wes and Mark are always looking for the worst explanations for the Stars' best performances — and even they're going to the "special teams mean nothing during the playoffs after the refs swallow their whistles" take at this point. That said, they do have questions. In this episode of Stargazing, they want to know what's up with Thomas Harley, how Mikko Rantanen has changed the team's structure, whether the new system is contributing to defensive foibles, if the Stars can keep holding their own in the Central Division, and so much more. It all adds up to the kind of hard-hitting analysis that can be summarized as "More points are better than less points." This team we're so worried about has a 7-1-2 record over the past 10 games. We’re Stargazing, and we say, let that soak in. But tell us why you're concerned over at Defending Big D, because we swear we'll understand. By the way, please, give us a rate, review or share wherever you get your digital sound files. Thanks in advance. We love you all. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Good news! The Dallas Stars' power play is every bit as dangerous as it looks. Now if only they could score at even strength.... There's so little flexibility in the Victory Green lineup right now that it's easy to hang all one's hopes on the regular roster players who are surely coming back any day now. And however much false hope may trouble Wes and Mark, their take on the Stars' status is...pretty optimistic, all things considered. In the latest edition of Stargazing, they discuss who will be the best partner for Lian Bichsel, whether Mavrik Bourque needs to move up a line, who we need to call to get Wyatt Johnston onto Team Canada, and so much, much more. Just wait ’til everyone is healthy. Right? ...Right? If you have a different take, then by all means share it at Defending Big D. We'll probably even mention you in a future cast. We're Stargazing, and we say Miro solves everything. (Hey, prove us wrong.) And please, give us a rate, review or share wherever you get your digital sound files. Thanks in advance. We love you all. 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 had a slower start than many fans wanted this season. Yet the team is still one point out of the Central Division's top three, which also means they're four points from the top of the league in general. Is the roster working as designed, despite new systems and old injuries? And is their progress sustainable through a playoffs run, or next year...or five years from now? For the latest edition of Stargazing, we followed the money. Friend of DBD Juraj Kralik joins Wes and Mark, and he needs you to stop thinking as if the NHL is still in a flat-cap era. They discuss how the salary cap is poised to take off, why NHL needle-movers aren't making it to free agency, new possibilities for the Jason Robertson re-signing, and the ways in which Thomas Harley's blockbuster extension will benefit the Stars in general and Miro Heiskanen in particular. Do you really think we'd do an entire episode about the Dallas Stars and their financial flexes without figuring in Jamie Benn's potential bonuses? Get in, losers, we're going Stargazing. What's your take on what the Stars should do next? Let's talk about it at Defending Big D. And please, throw us a rate, review or share wherever you listen. Enjoy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Four Dallas Stars scored last night! Unfortunately, two of them were playing for the Los Angeles Kings. That left Our Team with one point, another loss, and a lot to contemplate. We here at Stargazing acknowledge our fault in this, mainly by making this season's Doom Cast so much longer than...well, every other cast we've done so far. In this episode, Wes and Mark pull back a little. There's plenty to like in the Stars' latest run of play (breakouts, neutral zone coverage, the power play), as well as plenty that still needs work (two words: penalty kill). We cover all of it in the time it'll take you to complete your afternoon commute. Probably. Maybe. Do we need to end the "Esa Lindell is the Alex Ovechkin of Dylan Sambergs" talking point? We're Stargazing, and we're thinking about it. What's your take? Tell us at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review or share wherever you listen. Welcome to the podcast. 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.

Welcome to Stargazing's annual celebration of the signal pastime of true Dallas Stars fans: obsessing over every bad turn the season takes. And even we have to admit, the Victory Green Gang's scheduled loss to Thatcher Demko sure did set this one up. For the 2025 Doom Cast, Wes and Mark pull out all the stops. From the gaps at left wing, to the lack of depth at goalkeeping, to why the best path to getting a better penalty kill is not to get on the penalty kill...nothing is safe from the worst possible interpretation. It's cathartic, or something. Will our team never be able to hold a lead? We’re Stargazing, and we urge you to face your fears so we can shake them off...together. (Bonus thought: Aura-farming could be part of the solution. Let's discuss it at Defending Big D.) And please give the cast a rate, review or share wherever you listen. It’s fuel for our future rants. Thanks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's autumn, everyone. Can you feel it in the air? ...that utter conviction that This Is The Dallas Stars' Year, This Time For Real? Wes and Mark are here to stoke that fire. The 300th episode of Stargazing — and our umpty-umpth Brightside Cast — is dedicated to that unquenchable spirit of optimism. And here's the thing: There's evidence to back it up. Join us for a discussion of the new roster and how it works, fluke occurrences vs. systemic events, why (sometimes) simpler is better, and so much more. You already expected the world from Mikko Rantanen...how much more do you expect now? We’re Stargazing, and we can't wait to hear how unreasonable you can be. Let’s talk about the Stars' first victory — and their next challenge — at Defending Big D. And please give the cast a rate, review or share wherever you listen. It's fuel for our future rants. Thanks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We have one last chance to make predictions about the Dallas Stars before our musings start getting overtaken by events. Stargazing is ready. Again. As usual. Wes and Mark wanted a deep dive into the 2025-26 season, so they invited D Magazine contributor David Castillo — who's also the founder of Stars Stack (for Stars news and views) and Sticks and Salvos (for the NHL in general). In this edition, they discuss how Glen Gulutzun's system changes could benefit Roope Hintz, Esa Lindell as an oddly specific elite defender, why the Stars can't try to outscore their problems this year, and so much more. Do you want to see Lian Bischel fight a proper enforcer, or does the team need him on the ice too much? We’re Stargazing, and we have more RAWR per 60 than any cast out there. (We will threaten you with a good time, is what we're saying.) Let’s talk about the new season at Defending Big D. And please give the cast a rate, review or share wherever you listen. It really does make our day. Thanks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our brothers and sisters in ice, we are eating good. The Dallas Stars have started the 2025-26 NHL preseason not just with three consecutive wins, but with fancy stats suggesting that their good form is sustainable. Shot totals doubling up the competition, possession numbers off the charts, pucks actually going into the net – what could possibly go wrong? Right?... For once, that's a conversation for another day (read: don't worry, folks, the annual Doomcast will arrive in due time). For now, Wes and Mark want to talk about how new old bench boss Glen Gulutzun is tweaking the system, which players are looking like roster material, and how the Victory Green Gang will process the four-to-six-week loss of Jamie Benn. What are your hottest preseason takes? We’re Stargazing, and we guarantee we've said dumber things that actually ended up on the record. Let’s hash it out at Defending Big D. And please give the cast a rate, review or share while you’re thinking about it. We love you. Thanks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's late July, and the Dallas Stars are in submarine mode: making moves in the deep that we can't see or fully explain yet. And yet they're still giving us plenty to talk about, so it seems like the perfect time to call for backup. Friend of DBD and recurring Celebrity Guest Juraj Kralik is here again, and this time he joins both Wes and Mark to think about the future. In this edition, they talk about why the blueline might be in better shape than we think, how two stacked forward lines could carry the offense, what to look for in the Gulutzan System, and a whole lot more. Forget losing Jason Robertson: What if the Stars got his brother, too? We’re Stargazing, and we're all for having both Radek Faksa and Faksa Lite (a.k.a. Oskar Bäck). Let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give the cast a rate, review or share while you’re thinking about it. We love you. Thanks. 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 probably going to have a pretty boring draft this year. It's the rest of the offseason that is shaping up to be a ride, and many fans are afraid it will be a dark one. But how much do we really have to fear, with the NHL salary cap rising and Jim Nill at the helm? Mark knew who he wanted to talk to about it, so he contacted self-described stats nerd and friend of DBD Juraj Kralik – who's also a big maven concerning the business of hockey and is generally in his glory during free-agency season. In this edition, they talked about how the Stars could take a step back in 2025-26, the very real chance that they'll actually be better next April than they were this year, where those Jason Robertson trade rumors may be coming from...and a whole lot more. Is Wyatt Johnston really Nathan MacKinnon Lite? We're Stargazing, and this is the kind of thing we think about during the offseason. How about you? Let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give the cast a rate, review or share while you’re at it. We love you. Thanks in advance. 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 this close to the mountaintop. It's not close enough. What will they do to get their next Stanley Cup, and will they have to change their entire team identity to cover that last mile? Wes and Mark want to know, too. Their latest talk covers everything from Jason Robertson trade rumors to the new two-way contract for Rémi Poirier, with a few stops at the salary cap situation just to keep everything in perspective. (And keep in mind that this conversation took place before everyone's season ended earlier this week, so please give our dynamic duo their flowers for predicting...everything.) Will the next head coach just need to play Nils Lundkvist more? We’re Stargazing, and we think that's not the real story...but it may be part of the story. What do you think about what's happening in Frisco? Let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give the cast a rate, review or share while you’re at it. We love you. Thanks in advance. 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' season is over, and we're all left to contemplate what happened to their Stanley Cup hopes. Was this an Edmonton Oilers problem, or a symptom of something bigger that an occasional explosion of elite talent could only hide for so long? Wes Lawrence and Mark Zimmerman sat down after the end (and before the news of Pete DeBoer's departure) to examine the strategy...and why we might have seen this coming. In this edition, they discuss how slow starts seem to doom the Stars' chances, the eerie silence of their vaunted scoring depth, and why their four (4) deliberate moves on defense didn't work. They also discuss how much of the Stars' downfall may have been down to being out-coached – and what the team needs to do to clear the next hurdle. We're Stargazing, and we think Neil Graham might want to keep his cell phone charged. Possibly. Maybe. What's your take? Let's talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give the cast a rate, review or share while you're at it. We love you. Thanks in advance. 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 back in town, and they're really really going to need help from the home crowd in Game 5 against the Edmonton Oilers. The Oil are a tough team – but that doesn't absolve the Stars of their deficits on offense, nor of their dumb-penalty problem. So the question is, who will step up to ensure they get a Game 6? Wes and Mark discuss the dangers of over-passing, the importance of scoring first, and the importance of turning expected goals into, well, goals. Wyatt Johnston, you're probably going to be the key to whatever happens tonight...for better or otherwise. We’re Stargazing. (No pressure.) Who you got for tonight in Dallas? Tell us at Defending Big D, because someone's going to be correct, and it might as well be you. And please give the cast a rate, review or share. While you can. Thanks in advance. 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 and the Edmonton Oilers have won their way to the Western Conference Final by working each other's side of the street. The Stars have gotten all-time performances from their superstars, while the Oil's goaltending and depth scoring have come through for them in a big way. So what does this tell us about the rematch we've all been waiting for? Wes and Mark worked After Dark to fashion a narrative for the Stars based on everything they had to do to beat the Colorado Avalanche and the Winnipeg Jets. And in this edition, they discuss the Connor McDavid game plan, the value of going east-west versus north-south, and why the best way for Dallas to win this series is to stay out of the penalty box. I know what let's do – let's you guys get a ton of goals! We're Stargazing, and we're not afraid to state the obvious. And if you're looking for that link to the True North Youth Foundation that Wes mentioned...well, look no further. Ready to make those last-minute calls? Tell us about them at Defending Big D, because you can't just come in at the start of the Stanley Cup Final and tell us you went seven for seven in Round 3. And please do us the honor of giving our little puckcast a rate, review or share. We live for your validation. Thanks in advance. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It sometimes seems as if the Dallas Stars are only permitted to have one player get hot at a time. But do you need Mikko Rantanen to score a hat trick every game when Mikael Granlund can go off in his stead? A lot has happened in the past five days, and Wes and Mark want to talk about all of it. In this edition of Stargazing, they examine the advantages of having two No. 1 defensemen, compare and contrast the return trajectories of Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen, and discuss the importance of playing within your structure – and what happens when an opposing team forces you out of it. When is a playoff penalty not a playoff penalty? And does it matter? Here at Stargazing, we ask the hard questions. (You're welcome.) Can the Stars close out Round 2 in Game 5, in enemy territory, against a Winnipeg Jets team that will throw everything that got them the 2025 President's Trophy onto the ice? Let's talk about at Defending Big D. And thanks in advance for your rate, review or share. 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 won a Game 1! This is the best thing to happen since 2020, when they won Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning...hey, wait a minute. We know everyone loves a doomcast, but at this point we're constantly on the lookout for reasons to believe. So Wes and Mark worked through the night to find sustainability in the Stars' current good fortune (you know, the kind that doesn't involve counting on Mikko Rantanen to tally a hat trick in every remaining game). In this edition, they discuss double-shifting Moose, dealing with the Jets' dominant top line, the return of Robo, how the game will change if Miro or Morrissey (or both) make it back in Game 2, what to expect from Pete DeBoer, and so much more. A great penalty kill is like great insurance: You love to have it, but the more you use it, the costlier it gets. We're Stargazing, and we can come up with this stuff all day. And After Dark! Can the Stars keep winning on the road – and, even more importantly, at home? Let's talk about it at Defending Big D. We'd love to discuss your thoughts in the next cast. And please don't forget to rate, review and share wherever you listen. We're grateful for it. Enjoy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.