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Jim Nill gets real on why Stars won't spend during the NHL Trade Deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Dallas Stars' hopes of going on a deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs or even winning the whole thing has become a possibility in the past few months. Jason Robertson has blossomed into a reliable star for the squad while Mikko Rantanen has acclimated well into the system after spending a year with the team. A lot of people argue that they are still a piece away from hoisting Lord Stanley when the summer rolls around. General manager Jim Nill had to get real about that possibility and the front office's financial status.
Dallas will not be making a splash in the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline
Nill and the rest of the Stars front office were sending the hockey world into a frenzy in 2025 because they acquired Rantanen. However, the same story will not apply in this year's NHL Trade Deadline. A lot of this has to do with their long-term plans and the finances behind them, via Mike Zeisberger of NHL.com.
"I don't see us doing a big splash. First of all, the salary cap still comes into play more than ever, not only for this year, but for next year. I've got some very good players, and very good players eventually make big money," the Stars general manager declared.
Rantanen has the most hefty contract among all Stars players. The right winger has a contract valued at $12 million spread throughout eight years while Miro Heiskanen comes in second with his $8.45 million for three more years.
Their main concern heading into the NHL Trade Deadline and Stanley Cup Playoffs? Re-signing Robertson before he hits restricted free agency.
"We got Thomas Harley just re-signed; he’s jumping up next year from making $4 million to making $10.5 million. I’ve got Jason Robertson as a pending restricted free agent; he's going to get a big pay hike. So, I’ve got to manage that for next year also. Can I take on a guy that’s signed for three more years at $5 million each? I don't have the cap space for that. Every team has different situations they're going to look at short term and long term," Nill added.
As of the moment, the Stars have a cap hit of about $97,000. Their projected cap space is still looking manageable because it is valued at around -$1.5 million. Will winning the Stanley Cup compensate for their lack of moves in the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline?