Explore every episode of the podcast Stargazing: A Dallas Stars Puckcast | Defending Big D

The Dallas Stars got a big defender and a left wing before the NHL shut down for the final run toward the Stanley Cup Playoffs. How does this help, exactly?

Wes and Mark have their ideas. In this edition of Stargazing, they talk about how the Central Division will play during bonus weeks, what the Stars' lines and pairs could look like, and why the most interesting signing may not be the one you think it is.

Everyone needs more dog in their lineup. We're Stargazing, and we're brought to you by our favorite law firm, Miro Esa and Thomas.

Are the Stars better now than they were before the trade deadline? Let us know what you think. And please, give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to Stargazing. We love you.

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The Dallas Stars brought quite a bit of hardware home from the 2026 Winter Olympics. They also brought a couple of concerning injuries and at least one troubling illness. And now that Tyler Seguin is officially out for the season, does the front office have to make a move before the March 6 NHL trade deadline?

Wes and Mark have been pondering this question for quite some time. In this edition of Stargazing, they talk about the Stars' identity, the roles Cedar Park can't fill, the possibility of the team flexing its physical side during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Jim Nill's prospective legacy, the pressure to win it all, and ever so much more.*

Question for the group: Would you rather we bring in a guest expert to talk about potential moves before the deadline, or to discuss the fallout after GMJN has done (or not done) what he will? Let us know at Defending Big D. Your input matters!

And please, give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Stargazing. We love you.

*NOTE: All 4 Nations-Winter Olympics conflations (and others) intentionally left intact. (What? Now I have to sit in front of you and fix someone else’s gaffes? It’s not my responsibility.)

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There's very little like three straight victories over the St. Louis Blues to get Dallas Stars fans buzzing. So how do we talk about this team now that the mood of the Victory Green faithful has swung back from "Will they ever win again?" to "Let's start the Stanley Cup Playoffs right now!"?

Fortunately, there's very little like a Winter Olympics break to facilitate some midseason gab – and here at Stargazing, "gab" is our middle name. (It's in there. The B is silent.) In this episode, Wes Lawrence and Mark Zimmerman discuss the factors contributing to the Stars' blown leads, the turtling tendencies that change but never seem to go away, the worst thing about a great power play, the one player who might have been worth going for at the trade deadline, and so much more.

Are you task-oriented or think-oriented? We're Stargazing, and we need the answer right now. Or not. At any rate, share your answer at Defending Big D. Let's talk about it.

And please, give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Stargazing. We love you.

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A fair number of Dallas Stars enjoyers have perceived that fan fave Thomas Harley has been doing more, but with less to show for it, since the 2025-26 NHL season began. Is this a problem with his defensive partners? The lingering effects of his injury in November, and the missed games that resulted? The predictable struggles of a still very young blueliner? Something more concerning? Or less? ...If only there were some way of measuring it all. You know, with math and stuff.

In this episode of Stargazing, Mark sat down for an incredibly specific Stars conversation with Puck Over The Glass founder (and friend of DBD) Aaron Knodell. With Aaron's recent article on Harley's output as a jumping-off point, they take a deep dive into the Stars' defense — the pairings, the performances, the effects of Glen Gulutzan's new system, and so much more.

You don't play like an elite NHL defender for two years and just forget how, do you? We’re Stargazing, and we're beginning to think not.

Are you looking for Team Canada Thomas Harley in Milano-Cortina? And while we're talking about it, who you got for the men's and women's Olympic hockey hardware? Let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. (And put your picks up now. You don't get to come in on February 23 and say you went 14-0 in the medal rounds.)

And please, give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Stargazing. We love you.

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A blowout, followed by a shutout...the Dallas Stars are still all over the map. Did the momentary absence of Mikko Rantanen really doom the Victory Green Gang against the second-worst team in the Eastern Conference?

Wes and Mark think it's not that simple...or is it? In this episode of Stargazing, they talk about the impact of beast mode, the cold comfort of outplaying an opponent and missing by that much, the value of swagger, the upcoming schedule and what they want to see from it, and ever so much more.

You're in the other team's head until you're not. We’re Stargazing, and we got that dog in us.

What do you want to see from the Stars during the Central-heavy stretch ahead? 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.

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Do you remember what a power play goal looks like? The Dallas Stars have had a hard time getting out of their own way for the past...little while, and it seems as if their opponents have figured them out. Or is it the typical winter doldrums conjoined with an Olympics-compressed schedule?

Wes and Mark understand complexity, especially when it comes to the Victory Green Gang's problems. In this episode, they talk about why the Stars can't score anymore, the surprisingly affordable tweak that could help them at the NHL trade deadline, whether or not this is the year the team goes all in on a Stanley Cup run, Jim Nill's legacy, and ever so much more.

Sometimes you have to win two Western Conference Finals just to get to the Western Conference Final. We’re Stargazing, and we say, "Welcome to the Central Division."

What are your thoughts as we approach the big February break? Share them with us at Defending Big D. And please, give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback is practically all we think about.

Thanks for everything. We love you.

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The Dallas Stars vs. the Minnesota Wild is a practically guaranteed first-round matchup at this point. So why play all this hockey in the meantime...?

No, Wes and Mark aren't serious about that. But they do have quite a few ideas about how the Stars can become the best version of themselves before April.

In this edition of Stargazing, they discuss the tradeoffs the Stars make for an elite power play, the ways this team can still improve before the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the elephants in the room that are the Stars' future NHL Draft options, the Winter Olympics snub you're not talking about (yet),and ever so much more.

Never make a deal from a point of weakness. We’re Stargazing, and we make all our deals over coffee.

What sort of short-term rental could make the Stars unstopabble? Let's talk about it at Defending Big D. And if you will, give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback is practically all we think about.

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The Dallas Stars are winning again, more or less, which means it's time for more unbridled optimism about the stretch run to come. Right? ...Right?

Regression got the Victory Green Gang, at least for the period of their regularly scheduled post-holiday swoon, and Our Gang probably told you so. Wes and Mark may even now be chatting with David Castillo – owner and operator of Stars Stack and its audio companion, the Stars Stackcast – because they do run long when its comes to these deep dives.

In this edition, the stats exam goes into team momentum, the potential benefits of not planning around the Stars' opponents but making opponents plan around them, the respect Jason Robertson deserves (and doesn't get, even from some Dallas fans), the real takeaway from the worst Mighty Ducks movie, and ever so much more.

The NHL may be more Guerin-brained than ever, but you'll have to prove it. With math. We’re Stargazing, and we can do this if we really, really have to.

Why not share your thoughts at Defending Big D? For that matter, why not make it your New Year's resolution to give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts? Your feedback means the world to us.

Thanks for everything. We love you.

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It's a new year bringing the same old worries for Dallas Stars fans. Every mistake is a harbinger, every loss is a world-ender. Have we gotten too used to the good times?

In this episode, Wes and Mark invited David Castillo to talk about the Victory Green Gang's underlying stats – and, candidly, to talk them down from the rickety ledge of Stars positivity. And they had so much to talk about that we're splitting this cast into two parts, so you can slam it down fast.

In this edition, the crew ponders what Mikko Rantanen does that makes him unique among NHL forwards, what Thomas Harley can do to make the Stars a true playoffs force, what will happen if (when) regression gets to them, and ever so much more.

It's not unsustainable if you can do it. We're Stargazing, that's our story, and we're sticking to it.

While you're here, why not throw in an opinion at Defending Big D on where you expect the Stars to be at the Olympics break? We think about your feedback all the time, and that's why we'd also love a rate, review, or share from you, wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks for everything. We love you.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Dallas Stars are about to begin the fight for another Central Division championship – and to get there, they only have to knock off the team that earned the 2025 President's Trophy. (Oh, is that all?)

Brad McDonnell joined Wes and Mark to examine how the Stars match up with their Dirty Central cellmates, the Winnipeg Jets. In this edition, they discuss how Mason Marchment can help (and hurt) by creating chaos, where Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson will slot back into the lineup, and whether Connor Hellebuyck is human after all.

It's just like the regular season, with 62 percent more #MurderDeathKill! Welcome to Stargazing. Four more won't matter where we're going.

What do you want to see from the Stars as this series begins? Sound off at Defending Big D, and let's talk about it.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. Enjoy.

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The Dallas Stars did it. They won a Round 1 against the Colorado Avalanche that, in a better world, would have been a Western Conference Final. It wasn't easy, or pretty, or predictable – but the Victory Green Gang gave themselves the chance to win a Central Division title with all their elite players healthy and back on the ice.

And if Game 7 taught us anything, it's that sometimes you need to rely on your superstars. That's why we turned to Taylor Baird – DBD's managing editor and NHL.com's go-to Stars contributor. In this edition, she and Wes talked about and. And along with the usual stat tricks, they ponder what the Stars are coming to mean to the DFW area's success-hungry sports fans.

Welcome to Stargazing. We love you.

What do you want to know about what's next? Tell us at Defending Big D. We'll get to all your questions in our Round 2 preview.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. Let's go.

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Good news! The Dallas Stars can close the Round 1 deal on home ice. Bad news: The Colorado Avalanche can finish them off in their own barn. How do you play those match-ups?

Wes and Mark worked After Dark to put their thoughts together, and in this episode they discuss the advantages of shortening the Stars' bench, the dangers of relying on Pete DeBoer's playoffs streak, and why it may be a good idea for Mikko Rantanen to play 20 minutes in Game 7.

Who will be the hero the Stars need in Game 7? Tell us at Defending Big D. We not only read them, we bring them up in future casts. (Get your props while the getting's good!)

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. We love you. Thanks.

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The Dallas Stars keep defying the doomcast. After a stunning Game 4 bellyflop, they came back with a dominating performance in Game 5. Now the Round 1 outcome is once again in their hands – but it will proceed on the Colorado Avalanche's home ice. Can they finish the job before the series stretches to seven games?

Wes and Mark met up After Dark to pore over the possibilities. In the process, they parse the ongoing threat of Gabriel Landeskog, Lian Bichsel's debut as a meme, and why – right now – the Stars are a better team for having Oskar Bäck in the lineup.

Trying to modulate between delusional hope and irrational fear? We’re Stargazing After Dark, and that's pretty much all we do. It's in our contract, or something.

Want to share some pregame good vibes? Sound off at Defending Big D. We read all your comments, and we even bring them up in future casts.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. Let's get together more often. Thanks.

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We did ask what would happen when the Colorado Avalanche got desperate, and it appears the Dallas Stars gave us an answer. A terrible answer, true, but they did provide one.

In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark had plenty of dark thoughts about the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. But, as usual, they also found a couple of reasons to believe this game was an outlier. In the middle, they discussed getting the top line unstuck, the need for Esa Lindell to start providing offense again, and why Jake Oettinger had to take the walk of shame to make a point to the guys in front of him.

Two periods of bad podcasting and one period of damage control? We’re Stargazing After Dark, and sometimes we're a little too hard on ourselves. (We're Stars fans. It comes with the territory.)

Want to vent about whatever that was on Saturday night? Let us know at Defending Big D. We’ll bring it up in the next cast.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. Help us help you get through this. Thanks.

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Is this 2025, or 2015? The Dallas Stars won another nail-biter against the Colorado Avalanche, and it was largely thanks to Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. Yet the team continues to get contributions from up and (mostly) down the lineup. What is possible when everyone is That Guy?

In the latest episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark got together After Dark to pore over the Stars' first road victory of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. And they found plenty to discuss — including the signs that point toward Miro Heiskanen's return, the real threat of Gabriel Landeskog, and what might happen now that the Avs are the ones who have to play from behind.

You can't control Silly Putty by squeezing it, so don't try it with the Dallas Stars, either. We're Stargazing After Dark, and we think about this sort of thing for a living. (Or at least for the lulz.)

What's on your mind? Let us know at Defending Big D. We’ll bring it up in the next cast.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. You’re why we do this.

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You have to give the Dallas Stars credit: They know how to add extra thrills to their wins. They evened up Round 1 with a victory in overtime. Now they'll take their game on the road and look to grab another W in the Colorado Avalanche's home barn.

Wes Lawrence and Mark Zimmerman have gone over the data from the Stars' 4-3 win on Monday, and they're happy to remind you that they put Colin Blackwell out into the world. They also took a look at how the system is working, and they huffed just a little hopium concerning the fact that Miro Heiskanen is finally traveling with the team again.

Just want to see some high-end guys having high-end games? Welcome to Stargazing After Dark. We love you.

Have something else you want to talk about? Let us know at Defending Big D. We’ll almost certainly bring it up in the next cast.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. You're the best.

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The Dallas Stars are really dependable about losing Game 1. The good news has always been that it isn't necessarily predictive, until it is.

Wes and Mark took a few hours to process the good and the bad in the Victory Green Gang's 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. What they found was some surprisingly good news about structure and puck luck, and one or two shrieking warning sirens (fourth line, looking at you.)

It’s time for Stargazing After Dark. Please do not bring your "Esa Lindell and Cody Ceci are a shutdown pair" statements here.

Need to vent? Let us know at Defending Big D. We'll almost certainly bring it up in the next cast.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. You are our champions. Thanks.

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The Dallas Stars won their position in the 2025 Stanley Cup race relatively early. Then they skidded into the end of the regular season on a seven-game losing streak unprecedented during head coach Pete DeBoer's tenure. So what happens now that this team is supposed to be all in?

To survey the first-round ice, Stargazing welcomed back longtime Colorado Avalanche writer Evan Liu, now of Hockey Mountain High. He sat down with Wes and Mark to talk about forward depth, netminder performance, the playoffs return of Tyler Seguin and Gabriel Landeskog, and why whatever happens...won't be a surprise.

So who you got? Let’s talk about it. It’s Stargazing time!

What’s on your mind? Share it at Defending Big D. (We’re there for you. Really!) And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. Thank you kindly.

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The Dallas Stars are pretty good at winning. They've even gotten good at winning games in which they didn't play as well as their opponents. That's one reason why it's so frustrating to see the Stars' vices become their manners...especially when they drop games that were in their reach.

What does it mean for the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs? Wes and Mark needed backup for this one, so they invited DBD alumnus Robert Tiffin – who's now kind of everywhere, thanks to D Magazine and his own Stars Thoughts Substack. And they talk about everything — from odd-yet-effective set plays to messy zone exits to how much it may (or may not) help when the Stars' injured stars are back from injuries.

Now that they're in the playoffs, maybe they just want to stay healthy and blow everything up in the first round. We're Stargazing, and we think about this stuff all. the. time. And we're only half-joking when we say that this episode is presented by StarsThoughts.com.

What's your biggest worry about the state of the Stars? Tell us about it at Defending Big D. We may bring up your points in the next podcast.

And please leave us a like, review or share wherever you listen, because we’re just about everywhere you are. Thanks!

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The officially playoffs-bound Dallas Stars always seem to have one player or another going off these days. If it's not Wyatt Johnston racking up points like a veteran elite forward, or Jason Robertson regaining his scoring touch with a vengeance, then it might be Thomas Harley making a late run at the postseason awards with all the offensive-defenseman flair he can muster.

But we are Stars fans, which means we can't have nice things. So we're left to wonder if a Stanley Cup competitor's path through the Victory Green Gang will simply involve beating up on our favorite high-skill players until there aren't any left.

In this edition of Stargazing, Wes and Mark consider what the Stars' roster depth will mean for this year's postseason run. How important may it be that the front office hasn't overreacted to the team's perceived weaknesses? How long can their PDO bender last? And what will it mean for their chances if they can't slam the door more consistently on their opponents?

Think, for a moment, about the secret genius of pairing Lian Bichsel with Matt Dumba. We certainly have. This is Stargazing, brought to you by BetOnline.

What would this season have looked like without Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith? Tell us about it at Defending Big D. We may bring up your points in the next podcast.

And please leave us a like, review or share wherever you listen, because we're just about everywhere. Thanks!

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By the time you listen to this, the Texas Stars will have already punched their ticket to the 2025 Calder Cup playoffs. Turns out Victory Green is a fun color in Austin Metro, too!

The Stars in Dallas benefit greatly when the Stars in Cedar Park succeed. So to take the measure of the T-Stars' prospects, Mark once again calls on the expertise of Stephen Meserve — creator of the must-read Texas Stars source 100 Degree Hockey and co-author of We Win Here: The Definitive Essays You Need About The Texas Stars.

In this episode, they address some hot topics:

• • how the Stars are working around their lack of draft capital,

• • why the organization remains a destination of choice for prospects and pros alike,

• • what needs to happen in the goalie pipeline,

• • what the future may hold for captain Curtis McKenzie,

• • the guys who might be playing on an NHL team next year, even if that team is not the Dallas Stars,

• • and so much more.

Does everything come down to left-handed D and right-handed D? Stargazing wonders, too. And it’s presented to you by BetOnline, because The Game Starts Here.

What happens if the T-Stars and the D-Stars are both deep in the playoffs at the same time? Let’s talk about it at Defending Big D. Your input always fuels our future casts. (And we'll mention you by name. Just saying.)

One more thing: Please don’t forget to give us a like, review, or share wherever you listen. Thanks!

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The book has been written, and quite literally: The Dallas Stars are now co-favorites to win the 2025 Stanley Cup, and it's down to the deal that brought Mikko Rantanen into the fold.

How does this team look for a deep playoffs run, especially if Tyler Seguin returns in his early-season form? Is it ridiculous to put so much faith in this lineup so early? Can the defense measure up? And what does Rantanen's presence mean for the Stars going forward – their power play, their postseason resilience, their...whatever you've got?

History shows that we need all hands on deck for this kind of thing, so once again Wes and Mark have called in reinforcements. DBD's own Brad McDonnell – a former DFW-area sports reporter turned digital marketing expert – makes his Stargazing debut to talk about the Stars' latest rise. It's a fun ride, so listen someplace where you won't feel self-conscious about clapping along.

So...does the Victory Green Gang once again have a Top 3 top line in the NHL? Our listeners have questions. Stargazing has answers. And it's all brought to you by BetOnline, because The Game Starts Here for real.

Do you expect ’99 Stars-level offense from the roster of weapons Jim Nill has assembled? ...Are you willing to bet Jason Robertson's Brett Hull Invisibility Shield on it? Let's talk about it at Defending Big D. Your input always fuels our future casts. (And we have been known to mention players by name. Just saying.)

Hey, while you're there, don’t forget to give us a like, review, or share where you listen. Thanks for your support.

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In case you haven't checked the NHL.com top page this afternoon, the Dallas Stars made a bit of news today. The deal to bring Mikko Rantanen to Big D, which seemed all but dead last night, came roaring back to life this morning. And less than three hours before the NHL trade deadline, we learned that the Carolina Hurricanes were getting top prospect Logan Stankoven and a trove of future considerations in exchange for one of the league's true superstars.

It's a lot to take in, so Wes and Mark called in backup. Our own Tyler Mair joined them to discuss what the deal means for the team, the salary cap, the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, and much, much more. (And they even worked in the Wyatt Johnston extension. Nice.)

Is this what "all in" looks like? We're thinking mmmmmmmaybe? This is Stargazing, and we're brought to you by BetOnline.

And don’t forget to give us a like, review, or share wherever you listen. Thanks for tuning in.

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This season's Dallas Stars are...really, really Stars-ing. Right now, that's largely for the better. That doesn't keep any of us for looking for where they can be better still...but at what cost?

What impact can the right forward have? Can even the most dynamic forward compensate for not having another difference-making defender? At what point, if any, does a successful GM compromise his long-term vision for a player who can alter the course of a seven-game series?

You know Wes and Mark – they still haven't found a subject they can't hot-take on. They fire up the bakery early and often in this episode. And as we look down the ever-shorter road to the trade deadline, the questions on their minds are going to be on yours as well.

Does anyone really care who finishes first in the Central Division? Asking for a friend. At Stargazing. We're brought to you by BetOnline, so don't forget it.

What's on your mind? Tell us about it at Defending Big D. We’ll probably use that discussion in a future cast. (No, really!)

And don't forget to give us a like, review, or share wherever you listen. Thanks for your support.

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The Dallas Stars picked the week before a big road trip to go on a bit of a tear, winning-wise. Four consecutive victories, three of them at home, felt like a great holiday gift that arrived just a couple of days late – at once a delight and a relief.

Which means it's a great time for Wes and Mark to start rolling sports takes. In this episode, they discuss the resurgence of Jason Robertson, the frustrations of Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque, and what it means to have Lian Bichsel carrying the entire defense for the Texas Stars rather than playing on the third pair in Dallas.

Heads up: Matt Dumba gets his flowers in this one. That should be all the reason you need to go Stargazing with us. The whole thing is brought to you by BetOnline.

Any predictions for the trip East? Tell us about it at Defending Big D. We’ll probably bring it up in a future cast. (No, really!)

And hey, let us know you’re listening in the form of a like, review or share. Thanks for listening!

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The Dallas Stars are still in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs race, but they're not ranked as highly as we all thought they would be. If that feels like a big fat lump of coal in your Christmas stocking, well, you're probably a longtime Dallas Stars fan.

Wes and Mark make the case that we're not seeing anything we didn't expect from a team on a learning curve – which also happens to be a team with three rookies playing as starters. The Hot-Takery Bakery is wide open, so spend a bit of your pregame time with them, won't you?

Chaos is just a doorway to opportunity. Or something. Let's think on it over a little Stargazing. It’s brought to you by BetOnline.

What's your biggest worry about the Stars' stat sheet so far? Tell us about at Defending Big D. We’ll probably bring it up in a future cast. (No, really!)

One more thing: Please let us know you're listening in the form of a like, review or share. Our New Year's resolution is to appreciate you even more. Thanks for listening!

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History tells us how the Dallas Stars embarked on their fateful 1999 Stanley Cup run, and now we will, too: It was a time of magic and fantasy, brought to you by hard work and hard decisions.

Few have forgotten that the deal that brought the Stars Joe Nieuwendyk also cost them Jarome Iginla. And fewer would take that trade back – even knowing the face-of-the-franchise, first-ballot Hall of Famer Iggy would become – considering what it ultimately brought.

With all this being true, and assuming the Stars are one player away from taking it all again in 2025...what would Stars fans consider a fair trade for the piece they're missing?

Wes and Mark decided to address the fannish conversations about this issue, and the scenario they relate is not the one you want to hear. Reality is what it is – but there's always the possibility you can substitute a different one. And they discuss that, too.

Magic is fun when you know the secret. Join us for a little Stargazing. It's brought to you by BetOnline.

And if you don't like talking hockey, but like talking business...tell us about it at Defending Big D. We’ll discuss your ideas in a future cast. (No, really!)

One more thing: Please leave us a tip in the form of a like, review or share. It'll be our favorite holiday gift ever. Thanks for listening!

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It's never a bad time to overthink your Dallas Stars opinions. But with a new year just around the corner, and the Stars looking like an inevitable playoffs contender once again, it's a good time to fire up the special holiday hot-takery bakery.

Wes and Mark are on the case, but then again, they're always on the case. In this episode, they discuss:

• • the Tyler Seguin injury,

• • the quiet advent of Oskar Bäck,

• • the meat and potatoes of the Miro Heiskanen-Matt Dumba pair,

• • the historical impact of letting Alex Goligoski walk,

• • Jim Nill, and what becomes a legend most,

• • and so very much more.

All this, plus Mark's latest Dallas Stars trivia question, can be yours! Just hit that play button. This is Stargazing – brought to you by BetOnline.

What can the Stars do with Seggy's LTIR cap space? Tell us at Defending Big D. We’ll talk about your ideas in a future cast. (No, really!)

And please don't forget to leave a tip in the form of a like, review or share. Thanks for listening!

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As a team, the Dallas Stars are building a fine season. But as an organization, they're building fine seasons in all their affiliates, and over time as well. And a couple of times a year, we like to take a closer look at how that's working for them.

In case you've just met Mark Zimmerman, he can talk about the Texas Stars all day – but it's more fun to listen when he can bounce off someone who has as much passion for Cedar Park hockey as he does. For that, he's joined by Stephen Meserve, founder of the seminal T-Stars news site 100 Degree Hockey and co-author of We Win Here: The Definitive Essays You Need About The Texas Stars.

In this episode, they discuss the players to watch, the state of the feeder leagues, and the organizational depth the Dallas Stars organization has been working to build. They also measure the Texas Stars as a Calder Cup playoffs team, and how that will help the big team in Big D during a deep Stanley Cup run.

Been wondering if FloHockey TV is worth getting? We discuss that, too. This is Stargazing – brought to you by BetOnline.

What do you want to know about the Stars organization? Tell us in the comments. We'll use them in a future cast. (No, really!)

By the way, here's a link about that "ECHL Unfiltered" series on the Idaho Steelheads. And a trailer, while you're here.

One more thing: Please give us a rate, review or share wherever you listen. We love you all.

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The Dallas Stars are in a pretty good place right now. They're in Stanley Cup playoffs position as Thanksgiving approaches, if that old measuring stick still means something. But even so, are they living up to their own outsize expectations?

As the only podcast that didn't get invited to Finland last week, Stargazing has been stewing in its long-distance thoughts about that. Wes and Mark have questions:

• • How reliant can the Stars afford to be on the Tyler Seguin-Matt Duchene line?

• • While we're on the subject, is Tyler Seguin a wizard?

• • Should we be worried that there are NHL netminders who have more goals than Miro Heiskanen does this season?

• • What will it take to get Jason Robertson going at full speed?

• • What's holding the rest of the roster back?

• • And so many, many more.

Will the Stars find another gear before the end of the year? Discuss it with us. We’re Stargazing, and we’re brought to you by BetOnline.

What do you want to see as the quarterpole approaches? Tell us at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the short app. (We’re still there, but only for you. Don’t leave us hanging.)

And please give us a rate, review or share wherever you listen. We love you all, always.

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