Stars Looking to Still Contend in Tough Central Division
That’s all she wrote for the Central Division yet again in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Vegas Golden Knights swept the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final, extending the Central’s drought even longer.
The Dallas Stars are no strangers to the Central Division’s woes in the playoffs, falling in the Conference Final to Pacific Division teams three straight times. All eight teams must now re-up and rearm in the offseason, each with its own problems.
The Stars must contend with seven other teams to take the division crown, while also looking to end the divisional drought of the Stanley Cup Final.
Another gauntlet of a Central Division awaits, both in the regular season and playoffs.
Here’s who the Stars must contend with next season.
Surely Playoffs
Well-rounded division teams consistently qualify for the playoffs. Dallas and Colorado lead the way, the Stars with five, and the Avalanche with nine straight years of making the playoffs. These teams are consistently contending for deep playoff runs. Expect both of these teams to qualify. The Avalanche have nearly the same roster minus some free agents. Martin Necas’ contract goes up to $11.5 million next season, leaving little room for a big splash in free agency.
The Stars are in the same boat, having little money to sign free agents like Jason Robertson.
The Presidents’ Trophy Curse struck the Avalanche this season, who look to bounce back after being swept in the Western Conference Final. They are the Central’s 4th straight fall in the 3rd round. Including this year, the Avs are the last Stanley Cup champion from the division, winning it all in 2022. 3-5 teams will make the playoffs next season.
You would expect Minnesota also to continue to stay in the fray. They have a serious problem with cap space. Kirill Kaprizov is getting an $8 million increase per year, the highest-paid player in the league at $17 million. Their roster has 10 upcoming free agents. Expect them to have a busy offseason to keep up with the playoff pack. Another opening series between the Stars/Avalanche or the Wild is highly likely.
Fringe Playoff Teams
Winnipeg and St. Louis played in the Game 7 of all Game 7s in 2025. The Presidents’ Trophy Curse almost ended the Jets’ season early before coming back down 3-1 in the final two minutes, tying Game 7 with just over one second remaining. They won that game in double overtime before falling to the Stars in six. The Jets went from Presidents’ Trophy winners to a playoff miss over the span of one season. Expect an attempt for a bounce-back season. Connor Hellebuyck is a multiple Vezina Trophy winner and a staggering presence between the pipes. Kyle Connor gets a pay bump to $12 million per year, but their free agency is not a problem. Not many players are upcoming free agents, and they still have money to play with. St. Louis could get back in there. Their lack of cap space equals their lack of free agents.
The Blues could make a small splash in free agency. Their window may close soon. They and Colorado are the last two Stanley Cup champions from this division. Expect both the Jets and Blues to fight for a playoff spot up until the final month of the season. One surprising team last season hosted its first playoff game in franchise history. The Utah Mammoth won the wildcard race as the #1 wildcard team before being bounced by Vegas in six games. The Mammoth is an up-and-coming team with at least $12 million in current cap space, making for an interesting offseason. The Stars have these teams to contend with in the near future.
Rebuilders
One near-certainty is that the Nashville Predators have low odds of qualifying for the playoffs. They are in the middle of a rebuild. Eight of their players make over $4.5 million per year, seven of them being well into their thirties. Nine of their forwards are between 21 and 24 years old. Some Free Agency moves, with their ~$15-17 million in cap space, can make them a fringe playoff team. Their draft capital is exquisite. They hold 13 2nd and 3rd round picks over the next three drafts. Nashville will return to the playoffs, but its restoration to contender status is a long path ahead.
Connor Bedard is entering his first contract negotiations after an entry-level deal. The Chicago Blackhawks have practically the same roster spread of aged veterans sprinkled in with young players looking to make a name for themselves. They can certainly afford any contract for Bedard, with north of $13 million in cap space before the additional increase this offseason. The Stars may have to contend with one of these teams in the playoffs over the next five years. Since moving to Dallas in 1993, the Stars have yet to face off against the Blackhawks in the playoffs.
The Colorado Avalanche were the last Central team standing. Vegas sweeping them makes it four years in a row that a team from the Stars’ division did not advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
The Stars were the last team standing for three consecutive years, being ousted by the Golden Knights and Oilers.
This division is a tireless slugfest every night through the regular season and playoffs.
Next season is another chance for the Stars to end the divisional drought and represent the Central in the Stanley Cup Final.
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Categorized:Stars