With the 94th pick in the #NHLDraft, we've selected Cameron Schmidt of the Vancouver Giants!

Welcome to #TexasHockey, Cameron Schmidt! pic.twitter.com/ro3pjNV6WI

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) June 28, 2025

Undersized winger, but so was Stankoven.
Fastest skater in the draft. Surprisingly aggressive forechecker. A Stankoven prototype with more upside potential (at this stage of his career). An absolute steal in the 3rd round.

Cameron Schmidt goes to Dallas (of course) at pick 94.

Unreal.

They've done it again, I fear. pic.twitter.com/jEopmMsT2t

— Byron Bader (@ByronMBader) June 28, 2025

Glen Gulutzan to be announced as head coach.

I don't think he's a bad coach, and he definitely was severely handicapped by the situation during his first stint, but I'm just not very enthusiastic about this hire. Hope he proves me wrong.

He ran the power play with the Oilers. Maybe he knows things now that he didn't know then???

I'd be stunned if he doesn't. I'm not out in this hire, but I don't love it. We'll see though. Jim Nill is the best GM in maybe all of sports.

Not exciting but I don't hate it. Really can't evaluate this based on 15 years ago.

I know we can't take much from his previous stint. But remind me again of his philosophy. I am probably wrong but I seem to remember a focus on offense

I don't remember either but I do remember they were advertised as the " Pesky Stars." Better branding than "ownerless overpaying spares to meet the cap floor Stars."

Those weren't good teams but they were likeable guys and fun to watch.

Absolute crap hire

Was hoping for a Mark Stoops like revolt from the fanbase…and for everyone saying not to judge him on his 1st stint with the Stars, can I not judge him on his lackluster stint as Calgary HC?

It was a short stint, but they did see a 17 point improvement his first season as coach. I think both were a pretty long time ago which makes it hard to judge what kind of coach he'll be in 2026

Yeah I'm not judging him on his stint with the Stars, and clearly Jim Nill isn't either, but, I just wonder what is going on. It sounds like Nass is coming back, and maybe Graham gets put on staff, so it just feels like a Frankenstein formation of a staff, and that is what bothers me to an extent.

My other issue with this is that it feels like a major swing with a team that is on the doorstep of trying to lift a Cup, and that comes with huge upside and huge downside.

Well, the most important thing right now is that none of our players get their feelings hurt or held accountable for poor performances on the ice. Maybe he is the right guy for that.

If he could get Paul Coffey to come with, it would be a better move. Coffey is a lifetime Oiler, though.

Ekblad resigned with Florida for 8x6.1. The AAV is stealing, but 8 years is OUTRAGEOUS.

quick

Cameron Schmidt. pic.twitter.com/3YAkvgeUCG

— DLLS Stars (@DLLS_Stars) June 30, 2025

Marner to Vegas and signs 8x12

And Marchand back to Florida for 6 years and about 32mm overall

Deboer moved players up and down and out of the lineup based on performance.

Stab his goalie in the back? Pulling a goalie that lets the first two goals through easily in an elimination game is standard practice. Pointing out the truth that said goalie has not done well against Edmonton isn't stabbing anyone in the back. It is beyond obvious that Edmonton had his number based on his embarrassing .853 save percentage

Yes, Deboer had run his course of getting us to the Western Conference Finals every year, so we will enjoy barely making the playoffs and getting bounced immediately with this proven dud. But, each player will have his safe space so that is what matters in the end. Benn gets to skate again in our geriatric affirmative action program for players that were -22 when it mattered most last season.

Deboer certainly may have burned out trying to get this entitled group to man up. It was a small coaching miracle that we beat Colorado and Winnipeg with a group that had mailed it in with ten games left in the regular season.

Florida might as well sign McDavid while they are at it.

They've done great business. The Ekblad deal really helps at 6.1 per year even though it's probably 3 years too long. On the open market I don't think anyone is giving him more than 6 years, but he could probably get 8 per year.

I like it. Cheap contract and Blumel is leaving in free agency (likely Boston). Inexpensive piece to fill out the lineup.

He brings the grit and toughness that we need. Good deal imo.

Yep. I like his game. Great 4th liner.
As of right now, we have enough NHL caliber guys for a full roster and are under the cap. I'd love to see us move Dumba and Lyubushkin for another forward and defenseman, but we could realistically start the season as-is. Not that I expect that to be the case, just that we could, and we'd have a pretty darn good team.

Connor Brown signs a four-year deal with #NJDevils carrying a $3M AAV.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2025

I would have loved him in Dallas, but at more like 3x$2M. Oh well.

I think moving those guys is proving to be difficult if I had to guess.

Ceci to LA 4x4.5