DLLS Dallas Stars Podcast

Teams are getting ready for the first round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, which will be held tonight at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The Dallas Stars do not have a first round pick this year, thanks to the Mikko Rantanen trade, but that hasn’t stopped them being in all the headlines as their RFA contract negotiations with Jason Robertson continue to dominate the NHL news cycle. On Thursday, reports emerged that the Stars had granted the Seattle Kraken permission to speak with Robertson’s representatives, only for a massive 8-year, $120 million contract offer ($15 million AAV) to be rejected, reportedly. On today’s show, we will get into all the juicy gossip and get you ready for the draft tonight.

Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported on Tuesday that Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has selected the Dallas Stars as his preferred “destination of choice” after he requested a trade back at the beginning of June. Three weeks ago, we spent a good chunk of time talking about whether Larkin to Dallas made any sense and how it might work with the financials of the Stars current salary cap squeeze. Now that we are getting closer to the NHL Draft and Free Agency, Jason Robertson trade rumors are swirling and Larkin could be a replacement option. Also today, there was a bevy of trades on Tuesday and we will go through them all, keeping you up-to-date on all the latest moves around the NHL.

Craig Ludwig and Sam Nestler are joined by NHL Network host EJ Hradek, as the boys further discuss the Brady Tkachuk trade, Dallas Stars’ Jason Robertson and Mavrik Bourque’s contract status, Mike Babcock, Bruce Cassidy, EJ’s time in Dallas, and other big NHL moves!

Former Dallas Stars head coach Ken Hitchcock joins the DLLS Stars crew for a memorable conversation filled with stories, hockey insight, and plenty of laughs.

Today is the 27th anniversary of the Dallas Stars 2-1 triple overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 7 of the 1999 Stanley Cup Final, clinching the Stars first Stanley Cup championship. We will celebrate the occasion by welcoming former Stars head coach, Ken Hitchcock, who helped guide the team on that title run, and then returned for a cameo in 2017-18. What could be better than Luds and Hitch talking hockey on Friday? (Of course, Sam and Owen will also be allowed to participate.

Nate Bastian joins the DLLS Stars crew for an honest look back at his season, discussing the challenges of limited playing time and the mindset required to stay ready when opportunities arise.

As we prepare to turn the page from the 2025-26 NHL season and beginning the 2026-27 season, it’s time for us to take one final look back at the pre-season picks we made back in September of 2025. How did we do? Who were the biggest surprises of teams both in and out of the playoffs? Then, Chris MacFarland’s first move as new general manager and president of hockey operations for the Nashville Predators, was trading with his old boss, Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche, to acquire forward Ross Colton. And, lastly, we do a segment of Damned Discord Channel Q&A - because if nothing else, we are here for the Diehards!

The 2025-26 NHL season officially came to a close on Sunday night, as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 to capture the 2026 Stanley Cup. Former Dallas Star Logan Stankoven, who was a key component in the 2024-25 deadline day trade for Mikko Rantanen, played a big role for the Hurricanes in their championship run. We will talk through Game 6 and the entire Carolina post season. Also, the NHL recently announced a new format for the 2027 NHL All-Star Game, so let’s talk about it.

Matt Rodell, Director of Analytics for the Dallas Stars, joins the DLLS Stars crew to explain how analytics can help fans better understand what they're watching on the ice.