Stargazing: A Dallas Stars Puckcast | Defending Big D (Defending Big D)

The one period of Game 1 in which the Dallas Stars should have expected more goals than the Colorado Avalanche was overtime – i.e., the period in which they ultimately lost the match. It's just one of the infuriating twists that the postseason will throw at you, if you get that far.

Settle down – this isn't a doomcast. But Wes and Mark do have some thoughts about line matchups, the important role of chaos, and whether the Stars should try to make the Avs' top line play every third shift and clean up on all the others.

Maybe it's time for Mason Marchment to come back. It's definitely time for Stargazing After Dark. And it’s brought to you by BetOnline.

What has you most hyped about Round 2 – for better or otherwise? Let’s talk about it at Defending Big D – or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the short app. Casters are waiting for your call. (We even have a suggestive saxophone riff, so you know we mean it.)

And if you throw us a rate, review or share, we'll clap like Nugget the Circus Seal. Thanks in advance.

The Vegas Golden Knights have the opportunity to close out Round 1 on their own ice. The only thing that can stop them is the best team in the Western Conference. And yes, that's still the Dallas Stars.

But the Victory Green Gang still needs to find a way to bring its best against a team that has committed to doing what it does best. Wes Lawrence and Mark Zimmerman puzzle out what that might mean – whether taking more high-danger shots or reshuffling the forward lines.

As a matter of fact, we did record this in the wash room during our lunch break. That's our story. And this...is Stargazing.

Who's due to break through? Let us know at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on that one app that used to be the other app. We're here for you.

And please, if you're inclined, honor our stupid commitment to this bit with a rate, review or share. Let's get through this together.

The 2024 NHL Draft is over, free agency is in full swing, and the Dallas Stars are right in the thick of it. But are they making the moves that will matter next season?

NHL.com contributor and DBD editor-in-chief Taylor Baird joined Wes and Mark on the first day of silly season to sort through the Stars action. On this week's episode of Stargazing, we present a wide-ranging conversation that included topics like these:

• why a Chris Tanev deal didn't (and couldn't) happen

<li>what Dallas can do with three right-handed D-men,</li>
<li>how the Matt Duchene deal fits into the plan,</li>
<li>what to make of the Casey DeSmith signing,</li>
<li>and ever so much more.</li>

If you're fretting over fourth-line deployments, you actually may be doing pretty well. Let's go Stargazing. See if you agree. It's brought to you by our buddies at BetOnline.

For future reference, is winning the division an amateur move? Let us know at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the short app. (We're there for you.)

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. Let's keep the Stars in summer.

It's All-Star Week – or is it more of an All-Star Long Weekend? – in the AHL. And the Texas Stars sent a four-member contingent to join the festivities, including their head coach, the league's two biggest scorers, and the presumptive Rookie of the Year, who's also a likely league MVP.

It's a lot to take in, especially for a team that started the season with a bang but has started the new year on the struggle bus. It's time to catch up – so Mark sat down with Stephen Meserve, the mind behind 100 Degree Hockey and one half of the writing team behind the definitive Texas Stars history-in-essays, We Win Here. In this edition, they talked about:

• • how injuries have affected the roster,

• • how players and staff have tried to adjust,

• • the surprises (and no-surprises) among the team's hottest prospects,

• • what some standout players need to do to make it to the next level,

• • and much, much more.

Ever wondered why the back half of the Texas Stars season is always so loaded? Find out here...on Stargazing. (And while you're at it, follow Stephen and 100 Degree Hockey on the birdy app for the latest on the T-Stars.)

Let's think about the future. Talk to us about your favorite up-and-comers at Defending Big D – or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the birdy app.

And share the love by sharing this episode. Give us a rate or review, too. Of all our favorite listeners, you’re our most favorite-est.

Summer means fun, and fun starts with the youngsters. And as Dallas Stars fans, we're all about the kids in the team's development system. Who's ready for the big league? Who's still cooking?

Derek Neumeier, assistant director of scouting with McKeen's Hockey and longtime Friend of DBD, is back on the mic with Wes and Mark. With th 2024 NHL Draft over and training camp still on the horizon, they devoted an entire episode to Nothing But Prospects. Here's the kind of thing you'll hear:

• • which Stars prospects are the most fun to watch,

• • where Mavrik Bourque and Logan Stankoven will start their seasons,

• • how many Stars fans might be lining up for Lian Bichsel sweaters in the near future,

• • why that extra year with the Texas Stars may have been exactly what Thomas Harley needed,

• • and much, much more.

Is Logan Stankoven still a prospect? Or not? Stargazing asks the important questions, even when nobody knows the answers. And now you can, too, thanks to our friends at BetOnline.

Do you like where we're at, development-wise? Let's discuss it in the comments, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the short app. (We’re only there for you. Don't leave us hanging.)

If you can't get enough content on the Stars' goaltending pipeline, don't forget to pick up Taylor Baird's latest article on NHL.com.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. Let’s keep the Stars in summer.

The unstoppable road team met the immoveable home team, and we saw who blinked first. The Dallas Stars copped a big win off the Colorado Avalanche over the weekend, and now, it seems, we're getting somewhere.

It's OK, Stars fans, you still have time to panic. But Wes Lawrence and Mark Zimmerman took a long look at a game the Avs were supposed to win, on paper...and they liked what they saw. No, really. In this edition, they look at how the Victory Green Gang righted the ship at home and took away the game Colorado wanted to play in their own barn. And, as always, they have ideas about how to make it continue, because something something Big Hockey Brains.

You already know a big Nate MacKinnon game is coming. The question is, how do you prepare for it? We have answers...because we're Stargazing After Dark. And now you can, too, thanks to BetOnline.

What's surprised you most about this series so far? For better or otherwise? Tell us about at Defending Big D – or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the short app. Casters are waiting for your call. (Heed the suggestive saxophone riff. Listen to it.)

And please throw us a rate, review or share if you're so inclined. It truly, truly makes our day. Thanks in advance.

Happy New Year...'s Eve weekend! Our Dallas Stars will end 2023 with a home-and-home against the Chicago Blackhawks, and the holiday mood is pervasive. (All that red and green! Festive, right?)

Wes and Mark feel like celebrating, but they always have an eye out for anything that could spoil the party. In this episode, they discuss:

• • what these Stars are capable of,

• • the perils of relying on "clutch" to carry the day,

• • things to watch for this weekend,

• • New Year's resolutions for our favorite GM,

• • and much, much more.

How much can a team can get done in 13 seconds? We're liable to find out. Welcome to Stargazing!

What’s your Stars-related resolution for 2024? Let us know at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. We need more hot takes to get us through a cold January.

And show your friends you love them, man – share this episode around. Give us a rate or review, if the holiday mood hits you. See you next year!

Hockey season is days away, and we really mean it this time. As we count the hours toward the 2023 Traverse City Prospects Tournament – the officially unofficial kickoff to the Dallas Stars' season – which dates should we watch? And what are we missing?

Never fear – Wes Lawrence and Tyler Mair have devoted an entire podcast to these burning questions. In this episode:

• what to expect from the Traverse City Prospect Tournament,
• storylines to follow during Cedar Park training camp,
• players to watch in the preseason,
• and why all these games that don't matter actually do matter.

What would you do for a party at Joe Pavelski's house? Post your thoughts here, or DM us on the bird app @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. We’ll name-check you in the next podcast.

The past month has been a wild ride against some strong teams, and the real questions keep getting...realer. What's a Dallas Stars fan to focus on? Wes and Mark are listening, and they're talking, too. They'll help you catch up – or at least give you something to argue with.

What are you thinking these days? Let us know here – or DM us  @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. Get a mention in the next cast! It’s fun.

And please, tell your friends about us. Give us a rate or review wherever you listen, too. We're still Stargazing, and you're still awesome.

The 2023-24 NHL season is officially underway, and the Dallas Stars have emerged as heavy betting favorites for a strong run in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Therefore, every Stars fan should reflexively flinch and prepare for incoming fire.

Here at Stargazing, we believe in embracing the fear as a way to reduce its demonic power over us. That’s why Wes and Mark spent last night rummaging through the hurt locker for the second half of our season preview. (Also because they think it's fun. Go figure.) In this episode:

• why the defense really is the tire fire you think it is,

<li>how the regression monster can still destroy your hopes if (when?) it catches the forward corps,</li>
<li>what happens if Jake Oettinger can't get enough rest during the back half,</li>
<li>the front-office decisions that could come back to bite the Stars' postseason hopes,</li>
<li>and why the Texas Stars can't bail out the big squad if shifts get real.</li>

We’re not saying doom is the answer, but it usually asks the best questions. That's a fact...and this is Stargazing.

What are your biggest Big D worries? Speak them out loud at Defending Big D, or DM us on that other tire fire @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. We'd love to bring them up in a future podcast.

And never forget: Sharing is caring! Please tell your friends about us. Rate or review while you’re at it. We love you all differently, but we love you all as much. Thanks.

We made it! September is here, and as if by magic, the wait for more Dallas Stars hockey has grown ever so much shorter. It's time to start making appointments. Or setting alarms. Your choice.

Wes and Mark check the milestones up ahead and point out the landmarks you don't want to miss:

• • the Traverse City NHL Prospect Tournament

• • training camp, and the stories waiting to happen,

• • the preseason schedule, and what to watch for,

• • and so much more.

How many days until Victory+ TV? Here at Stargazing, we're counting it down. And you can, too, thanks to our friends at BetOnline.

What are you most looking forward to this month? Let’s discuss it in the comments, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the short app. (We’re only there for you. Don’t leave us hanging.)

And because these two always call it – always – here's a look at the Stars' 2024 Traverse City lineup, posted literally minutes before we sent out this episode. (Thanks, I think.)

Last thing: Please do us the favor of a rate, review and share. Let’s get ready for Stars!

you do with your January?

Wes and Mark decided to do some cookin'...and now they're ready to talk recipes. Stargazing is back with a vengeance, and in this episode, we discuss:

• • Jake Oettinger, All-Star, and whether he's set to play like one,

• • how to make sure Miro Heiskanen is ready to be a tank in the playoffs

• • the defensive developments that could decide the Stars' postseason fate,

• • the Logan Stankoven / Mavrik Bourque conundrum that hangs over everything,

• • what to do at the trade deadline,

• • the lazy takes, and the crazy takes,

• • and so much more.

Is there really nothing left to talk about until March? And how are we going to pad out this little puppet show until then? Let us know at Defending Big D – or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. (Hey, it's February in Dallas. You're gonna want to warm up over these hot takes later.)

And share the love by sharing this episode. Give us a rate or review, too. Of all our favorite listeners, you're our most favorite-est.

The Dallas Stars have had an interesting February so far, and they haven't even hit the most interesting part of their schedule. We're probably not the first people to point out how much of a test this month will be – but we can belabor the point with the best of them.

That's one reason why Wes and Tyler settled in to talk about how it started, how it's going, and what to expect. Can the Victory Green Gang gain momentum, or will they settle for holding serve? We'll talk about this, and so much more.

Can we podcast any more this week? (Well, technically, probably not, because it's already Saturday.) Tell us where to get off at Defending Big D, or contact us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the birdy app.

And do the Stars fan in your life a favor – share this podcast with them. Give us a rate or review while you're at it. Your love keeps us going.

The Dallas Stars earned some much-needed rest this week – but here at Stargazing, we never sleep. It's time to assess what went right (and wrong) in Round 2, and get ready for a really big show in the Western Conference Finals.

In this episode, Wes Lawrence and Mark Zimmerman discuss how Chris Tanev countered Nathan MacKinnon, the art of overtime playoffs line-blending, the importance of the team game to the Stars' strategy, and what may be their biggest concern going forward. Plus there's so much more – including a look at what might have happened in a Dallas-Vancouver series that's been, ahhhh, overtaken by events.

The Stars aren't facing the Minotaur. They are the Minotaur. Let's discuss it...while we're Stargazing After Dark. It’s brought to you by BetOnline.

What are you looking for in the Stars' next series? Let’s talk about it at Defending Big D – or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the short app.

And hey, throw us a rate, review or share. We can prove it will bring good luck. Maybe. Someday. Not now, of course.

The Dallas Stars have won their way into Round 2 – and a throwback series with their #MurderDeathKill Division siblings the Colorado Avalanche. (Or, if you prefer, from the 2023 Stanley Cup winners to the 2022 Stanley Cup winners.)

This time, we welcomed Evan Liu of our 4Fans sister site Puck Yeti. He sat down with Wes and Mark for the usual roundtable about roster strengths and weaknesses, the pros and cons of a seven-game series versus a week of rest, and how each of our favorite teams will win, and lose.

So who you got? Let’s talk about it. It’s Stargazing time – and it's brought to you by our buddies at BetOnline.

What's on your mind concerning the Stanley Cup Playoffs so far? Share it in the comments, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the Default Font From The ’90s app. (We’re there for you. Really!)

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. We thank you kindly.

The Dallas Stars are in the series against the Golden Knights now, in large part because Wyatt Johnston can put the team on his back now that he's (almost) old enough to partake of adult beverages.

But what will they need to quiet the house in Vegas again? Well, for starters, Wes and Mark would like a sixth defenseman who can get more than eight minutes a game. But they have a wish list, and they'll gladly share it with you – at the low, low price of about 36 minutes of your time.

You can't sacrifice Round 1 while you're planning for Round 2. Play the game in front of you. Let's go Stargazing – brought to you, as always, by BetOnline.

Who will you look to for a big game tonight? Let us know at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the short app. We’re there.

And hey, let us know if you actually use this as pregame listening! Also, your rate, review and/or share helps keep us alive. (No pressure.)

As of this posting, the Dallas Stars are 3-0 in the 2024-25 preseason. And here we were thinking Victory+ might be the best thing to come out of September.

It's a great environment for Stargazing's annual Brightside Cast, and Wes and Mark are definitely feeling it this year. In this edition, they talk about:

• • the Stars' preseason style and what it means for when the games start counting,

• • the offensive weapons at Pete DeBoer's disposal,

• • the improvement in goaltending depth,

• • the prospect of having three solid left-right pairs on the blueline,

• • oh yeah, Victory+, too!

• • and so very much more.

When you're penciling in Tyler Seguin as your third-line center, you mmmmight have a surfeit of talent. We're Stargazing, and we might just turn you into Mr. Brightside, too. Thank BetOnline for making that possible.

What's your most optimistic prediction for the season to come? Tell us in the comments, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the short app. (We’re only there for you. Don’t leave us hanging.)

And don’t hesitate to give us a rate, review and share. We love you all.

The Dallas Stars don't need to do something extra, they just need to be who they are. That's how Wes Lawrence and Mark Zimmerman see the state of play after the Victory Green Gang – against all odds, as it were –evened up Round 1 in Vegas on Tuesday night.

In this episode, DBD's cast-masters bring the discussion on everything that matters – including Jake Oettinger's return to the best version of himself, the forward lines that just keep coming, the momentum that runs shift to shift but not game to game, and Craig Smith as secret sauce.

What is this series doing in Round 1? It's a mystery. And this is Stargazing – brought to you by BetOnline.

Does Logan Stankoven need to stop deferring? Let's talk about it at Defending Big D – or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the short app. We’re here for you.

And let us know if you're stuck in traffic on the way to Game 5! It may be a good time to rate, review and share. (Not if you're driving, though. That would be wrong.)

The Dallas Stars had a good postseason showing. They took down the past two Stanley Cup champions before injuries, exhaustion, and the risks of playing five defensemen caught up to them. Now it's time to think about what the summer will hold.

In our final 2024 episode of Stargazing After Dark, Wes and Mark discuss the issues that may be keeping you awake at night, too. Such as:

• • how to get Miro Heiskanen on his strong side, once and for all,

• • why not playing games you don't have to play is a pretty good way to play fewer games,

• • whether it's better to have superstars or super depth,

• • and many, many more.

We're Stargazing, and we're assuming Chris Tanev is getting a new Victory Green contract sometime in the next several weeks. Please, help us speak this into existence. We'll bring it to you with some help from our buddies at BetOnline.

What else do you hope the Stars will do during the offseason? Let us know at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the short app. (We only stay there for you.)

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. It makes us so sadly happy. Really it does.

Some of us just like to enjoy a beverage and watch a Dallas Stars game – and that's just fine. But others want to understand how players affect the game and the team around them...and that's where math comes in.

For this edition of Stargazing, D Magazine's David Castillo – who's also a longtime DBD contributor – sat down with Wes Lawrence to take the fear out of #fancystats. In this episode, they discuss:

• how stats like Corsi and Wins Above Replacement affect a team's makeup,

<li>what coaches may see in that player you hate (or love),</li>
<li>why analysis and intuition can, and should, work hand in hand,</li>
<li>and what's on the horizon for the quant crowd.</li>

Ready to revisit the Honka Wars? Oh yes...we went there. Leave your thoughts here, or DM us on the ’90s-era default font app @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. Let's talk about it!

And please don't forget to share. Tell your friends about us, and give us a rate or review wherever you listen. We appreciate it more than we can say.

It's turning into A Very Special Throwback Series for the Dallas Stars. They took Western Conference Finals-style revenge on the Vegas Golden Knights. They struck down a longtime foe and legendary rival in the Colorado Avalanche.

And now that the Stars have gone through last year's Stanley Cup champions and their most lethal sibling in the #MurderDeathKill Division, they begin a battle for the West against the Edmonton Oilers. And if you're a Stars fan, you know that history even if you weren't around for it.

For a preview worthy of this event, we invited Patrick Phillips, better known on YouTube as The Oilers Fanatic. He sat down with Wes Lawrence and Mark Zimmerman to share memories of series past and to talk about what makes the present so unpredictable. They also got to the usual stuff, like McDavid & Draisaitl Vs. The World, the Jake Oettinger supremacy, how defense has shaped both squads, and how each of our favorite teams will win and lose.

What was your first experience of being devastated by sports? Let’s talk about it. We're Stargazing in the morning! And, as always, it’s brought to you by our buddies at BetOnline.

Will this Stars-Oilers series live up to the hype? Share your thoughts at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the Default Font From The ’90s app. (We’ll check in, but only for you. Don't blow it.)

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. That high will last us all weekend. Thanks in advance.

It's that time of year when every team is undefeated and everything still seems possible. And here at Stargazing, we like where we're at.

That's why Wes and Mark sat down late last week for their annual Mssrs. Brightside buddy act. And they found a lot to be positive about. In this episode, they discuss:

• • the reasons why the defense may be better than you think it is,

• • the new (and continuing) power of the forward corps,

• • the case for worrying much less about whether Jake Oettinger is getting enough time off in net,

• • and why a deep Stanley Cup run is the floor for ’24.

We're not saying someone is coming home with postseason hardware, but Miro Heiskanen...the floor is yours. This is Stargazing.

Who’s the ray of sunshine in your Stars firmament? Post your thoughts at Defending Big D, or DM us on the bird app @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. Let’s talk about it in the next podcast.

Sharing is caring! Please tell your friends about us. Rate or review while you’re at it. We love you all

The Dallas Stars have staged a pretty amazing Round 1 comeback – and they have not one, but two opportunities to finish the job in the next few days. It hasn't always been pretty, and pretty hasn't always meant victory...but is this team for real? Really, really real?

Wes Lawrence and Mark Zimmerman are Stars fans, so they're always looking over their shoulders. But even they see the green shoots here. In this cast, they discuss:

• • the new team the Stars are becoming before our eyes,

• • Wyatt Johnston as a period-full-stop member of Dallas' core,

• • the one (1) time plus-minus is actually a useful stat,

• • and whether Logan Stankoven is about 40 NHL games away from scoring every time he gets the puck on his stick.

When was the last time you heard that Jason Robertson is playoff-soft? We can't remember, either. Join us for Stargazing...After Dark. It's brought to you by BetOnline.

What's on your mind, Stars-wise? Let’s talk about at Defending Big D – or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the short app. Casters are waiting for your call.

And please throw us a rate, review or share. It's actually pretty sad how much we live for it.

(By the way, we do experience the occasional time-shifting anomaly. Let it be known that we recorded before this news broke. Listen to Stargazing, learn the future!)

The Dallas Stars haven't lost a single game in regulation in the 2023-24 season to date. They've gotten seven of eight available points. But don't worry – there's still plenty to keep a True Fan awake at night.

Wes and Mark hear your cries, and that's only one reason why they're introducing a new gimmick feature for our humble puckcast. In this edition of Stargazing, you'll hear each of them choose a play from a recent game that tells them everything they need to know about the current state of the Stars (unless it doesn't). Then they'll talk about why – and at no additional cost to you, the listener.

Mark provides a handy YouTube link for his choice – a Ty Dellandrea play during the shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. And here's Wes' key moment – that first goal the Stars gave up to the Anaheim Ducks.

Would you rather chase your fears or air your hopes? Let's discuss it at Defending Big D – or DM us on the ’90s-era default font app @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. If your take is spicy enough, we might just quote you in a future episode.

And please don’t forget to share. Tell your friends about us, and give us a rate or review wherever you listen. We love you!

The 2023-24 Dallas Stars are sitting on top of the world – or at least the Western Conference. Although you might be forgiven for not knowing it, because it seems hardly anybody wants to talk about a team with three (or four) scoring lines.

That leaves a select few, including Wes and Mark, to find the discussion points in this particularly well-balanced version of the Victory Green Gang. And this week, they get a timely assist from Taylor Baird, NHL.com contributor and our own longtime editor-in-chief. In this episode:

• a big win in British Columbia – and a taste of the Stanley Cup fight on the horizon,
• the return of Playoffs Jake Oettinger,
• the long tail of the Bennaissance,
• and so very much more.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. We love you all, and we’ll love you even better during the playoffs.

The entire month of February is shaping up to be a Valentine to Dallas Stars fans. Just look at the past week, and the two weeks coming up. What can you say?

Well, as it turns out, Wes and Mark have plenty to say. And in this episode of Stargazing, they cut loose on questions like this:

• • Has Jim Nill underserved one of his own golden rules? And what will it do to the Stars' Stanley Cup hopes?

• • When does Wyatt Johnston graduate from "good prospect" to "good NHL player"?

• • Is Playoffs Jake Oettinger back in action?

• • What can the Stars do – really do – if one of their defenders gets taken out by injury? For any length of time?

• • What's the underreported cap issue that could shape the roster well into next season?

• • And much, much more.

Who's your dark-horse candidate for the Dallas Stars Hall of Fame? Let's talk about all of them at Defending Big D – or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the birdy app.

And don't forget to rate, review and share. We love you best.

The Dallas Stars gave up their traditional Game 1 loss. Does this mean the rest of their Western Conference Final is proceeding according to the script? It's impossible to discount the Edmonton Connors Leons Oilers at this stage, but the Victory Green Gang keeps doing what it does best – which is find ways to win.

Wes and Mark are back from their long Memorial Day weekend, and they're here to catch you up on the Death Star vs. The Superstars: surviving the first period, responding to chaos, and never, ever starting to panic.

What do Jason Robertson and Jason Voorhees have in common? Think about it. We have. It's Stargazing time! And, as always, it’s brought to you by our buddies at BetOnline.

Now that we're near the halfway point, how are your predictions holding up? Let us know at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the short app. (We’ll check in, but only for you. Don’t blow it.)

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. It makes us so sadly happy. Really it does.

It's been an interesting December so far for the Dallas Stars. They've blown out, and they've been blown out. They've won and lost in close games. The schedule has given us mirror images of the same team. How do they find their way back to consistency?

Wes Lawrence and Mark Zimmerman sat down to talk about the current state of play, and we have a hunch you'll want to listen. And in case you want to play along with our TV On The Radio segment, you can watch, too.

Mark chose a clip in which Jani Hakanpää picked a bad time to make a routine stick adjustment. And Wes selected the moment in which we see Mason Marchment go from zero to hero within the same questionable display.

What do you want to see more of from this year's Stars? Let us know here, or DM us  @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. We read all your comments, and we'll even name-check you in a future cast, if your hot takes are spicy enough.

And in the holiday spirit, don't forget to share with your friends. Give us a rate or review while you're at it. We're Stargazing, and we love you.

The Dallas Stars endured their first regulation loss of the season last week. So yeah, it feels like a lot right now, because they're supposed to win all the time.

You might like to think that the guys who gleefully post a regular Doomcast would be ready to pounce. But Wes and Mark have taken a much more measured approach – and we think you will, too, after you listen. In this edition of Stargazing:

• • What's really the problem with the power play?

• • How close is Nils Lundkvist to becoming a top-four defender?

• • Has Dallas found...wait for it!...a fourth line that can also score?

• • Why must you be this tall to play on a line with Evgenii Dadonov?

• • And what we will do with TV On The Radio this week?

This week's highlight videos are brought to you by Matt Duchene – and by a regular DBD'er, who provided the feedback that prompted these choices. Schluck, please claim your gift basket!

Here is Mark's pick – the Mason Marchment goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

And Wes brings in another big-brain play from the same game.

You know the pass is coming. You just have to know what to do with it. Here at Stargazing, that's what we're all about. Join us, won't you?

What do you love (or hate) to see from these Stars? Let’s discuss it at Defending Big D – or DM us on the forever bird app @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. Real listeners get shoutouts – why not you?

And we love it when you tell your friends about us, and also when you give us a rate or review wherever you listen. This is Stargazing, and you are awesome.

The Dallas Stars have gotten used to scoring their way out of their troubles. So what do they do when the goals get fewer?

Wes and Mark took a look at a long, long road week and found a few spots that the line blender might solve – and a few that the NHL trade deadline might help. Join us for a little pre-game Stargazing, won't you?

Which forward lines would you like to roll? Tell us at Defending Big D – or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the birdy app.

And don’t forget to rate, review and share. Thanks for the support.

Victory Green is back on the ice, and the Dallas Stars prospects are already putting up W's. Surely, this means this team is a juggernaut that's going straight to the Stanley Cup Final. Unless it doesn't.

Wes and Mark are trying to find that balance between unreasonable optimism and ice-cold reality. You decide if it's working. In this episode:

• How does Lian Bichsel look on North American ice?

<li>Will Oskar Bäck's possible injury hold the squad back for the rest of the tournament?</li>
<li>What can Antonio Stranges learn from Logan Stankoven?</li>
<li>Is Rémi Poirier becoming the French buccaneer the Stars need?</li>
<li>Who else should you be watching?</li>
<li>And what are the emerging storylines for training camp?</li>

There's a reason why you cannot make Wyatt Johnston go away. Let's talk about it...in Stargazing.

Who's featuring in your future headlines? Post your thoughts at Defending Big D, or DM us on the bird app @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. Let's talk about it in the next podcast.

And don’t forget that sharing is caring. Tell all your friends about us. Rate or review while you’re at it. We appreciate it more than we can say.

Barely beat a bad team. Blow the doors off a bad team. Barely lose to a bad team. Then blow a lead and lose to a really good team in overtime. The Dallas Stars have had a pretty remarkable New Year's week.

Wes and Mark are ready to start 2024 with a bang, so they're unloading some of their best analysis and barely-digestible hot takes in this week's Stargazing. In this edition, they discuss:

• • when Scott Wedgewood, Starting Goaltender, reaches the moment of unsustainability,

• • why the Stars should play three forwards in overtime,

• • why the Stars should practice with three forwards in overtime first,

• • the real cost of Miro Heiskanen's absence, however short it may be,

• • what the last rollercoaster week can tell us about the team and its roster,

• • and much, much more.

Roope Hintz may be the Stars' best player, but is Jake Oettinger their most better? Let Wes and Mark explain this, then let us know what you think at Defending Big D. Or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. Hot takes for cold weather!

And show your friends you love them by sharing this episode around. Give us a rate or review, too. It's the preferred New Year's resolution.

The Dallas Stars are out for the last long road trip of the season. It's time to start talking about the Stanley Cup playoffs battles that are, at this point, certain to come.

Wes Lawrence and Mark Zimmerman are back from spring break, and they have plenty to discuss, mainly about the Stars' state of readiness for the fight ahead. What's going right? Where are the exploitable weaknesses? And how did GM Jim Nill do in preparing his squad for this moment?

And finally, what's the secret sauce in the Seguin-Duchene-Marchment line, and why does it go away when any one of them does? We just might have figured it out. Don't tell us you don't want to know. Join us for some Stargazing.

What do you want to see as the Stars take on one more West Coast swing? Tell us at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on that one app that used to be the other app. (Sure we're still there!)

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. We love you all, and we'll love you even better during the playoffs.

The Dallas Stars' Stanley Cup quest begins tonight. And Stars fans everywhere are both ecstatic and apprehensive that their team's first meeting is against last year's nemesis, the Vegas Golden Knights. How should one feel about that? ...No, really?

For this assignment, Stargazing wanted to go straight to the source – so we sought out 4Fans' resident opposition expert. Tom Urtz Jr. is having a busy postseason, as both interim site manager of Knights On Ice and deputy managing editor of the New York Rangers site Blueshirt Banter. He sat down with Wes and Mark to talk rosters, storylines, and possible surprises for the first round.

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

What are your hopes and fears for the first round? Share them in the comments, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the Default Font From The ’90s app. (We’re still there, but only for you.)

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. Hey, it's the playoffs. And we love you all more than ever.

The 2023-23 Texas Stars may boast more genuine blue-chip prospects than they've ever had. They also have a diminished veteran presence and may struggle to reach the AHL playoffs. What shall we make of this conundrum?

No reporter knows the Cedar Park system better than 100 Degree Hockey founder Stephen Meserve. And in this sit-down with Mark, he once again shares his expertise with Stargazing. In this episode, learn more about:

• • the peaks and valleys of a rookie's journey through his first season,

• • what Lian Bichsel has learned about North American ice (and rules),

• • whether Logan Stankoven or Mavrik Bourque is poised to grab the first forward call-up,

• • how veterans factor into the team's plans for its prospects,

• • the Stars' investments in net,

• • Neil Graham's future with the organization,

• • and what the Idaho Steelheads are doing that makes "getting sent down" to the ECHL a bonus rather than a demotion.

Heads up: Stephen has written a feature for TheAHL.com that you won't want to miss. Follow him on the former bird app to make sure you're among the first to see it.

Who's the prospect you can't wait to see in Dallas? Let us know at Defending Big D – or DM us on Txxitter @HitZIceSTAT or @KETibbetts. We'll probably mention you in the next cast, but we probably have to hear from you first. (No pressure.)

And don't forget to tell your friends about us. Give us a rate or review wherever you listen, too. This is Stargazing, and you are awesome.

The Dallas Stars can’t win a Stanley Cup playoffs spot in the next six games. However, they can lose one. It will all come down to whether they can shake off whatever bad mojo they’re dealing with and make that move to shut down the suffering Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings.

But honest-to-Pete elites Ben Bishop and Alexander Radulov are done for the season, and depth defender Sami Vatanen was the Stars’ only NHL trade deadline acquisition. Do they have enough left in the tank to scoop up at least nine of the next 12 available points?

It’s a honest question. Wes Lawrence and Rob McClay put their heads together and searched for clues as to how much #Disco the Victory Green Gang can muster. In this episode:

• How will the confirmed losses of Bish and Rads affect the Stars’ home-stretch hopes?
• Under the circumstances, should they have shut down Tyler Seguin while they were at it?
• Leaving out the disappointment of not getting a top-six scorer at the TDL, is Vatanen...actually a pretty good get?
• Is it wrong to be glad they didn’t trade Jamie Oleksiak for that scoring help?
• How soon will Jake Oettinger go from being the Stars’ future in net to just being the star, in net?
• And how much better or worse off could the team be if Rick Bowness took the leash off Denis Gurianov and let him run amok?

All this, and the return of The Predictions Game, are here for you in the latest edition of Stargazing. (That’s right. Settle down.)

You, too, can be part of the next Stargazing! Post your puck questions in the comments, at Defending Big D, or @WesALawrence, @LoganStarkChel and @KETibbetts.

How long can the Dallas Stars try to be who they say they are before they give up and become what their best players are capable of being? It’s an open question, and one Wes and Mark decided to explore during this week of contrasts.

We didn’t want this to be a miserycast. Fortunately, there was plenty to compare and contrast between Sunday’s big win and Tuesday’s insanely frustrating loss. In this episode:

• What, specifically, did the Stars do right against the Boston Bruins?
• Has Tyler Seguin returned to form? (And if he has, will that count as a trade deadline acquisition?)
• Is Alexander Radulov finally recovering his scoring mojo?
• Is Denis Gurianov on another upswing?
• Is Radek Faksa hitting his aging curve early?
• How exactly did the team fall apart in the late third period against the Calgary Flames?
• How much of the Stars’ identity as a defense-first team is a straight-up lie? (Careful – Mark has receipts.)
• How much of player usage (and misusage) should we blame on systems and how much on hockey culture writ large?
• And if you can’t find a way to let a player do what he’s good at, should you even have him on the roster? (Asking for a friend?)

All this, plus a guest contribution by Wes’ dog...in this episode of Stargazing. Enjoy as Mark finally gets credit for predicting the Bruins blowout.

We love comments, even from the haters. Leave one at Defending Big D or seek us out @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. Tell us how we’re doing wherever you subscribe.

It's win-or-go-home time for the Dallas Stars, which means it's the same for a very tough opponent, the Seattle Kraken. What's gonna happen? (No, really...what is going to happen?!)

Taylor Baird joined MC Wes Lawrence to go over the Stars' scenarios, and they had a lot to discuss in a short 30 minutes. In this episode:

• the case for a Victory Green victory,
• the factors that could swing the game,
• who needs to step up,
• the case for shortening the bench,
• what the Stars must do to put the Kraken on the back foot (tentacle, whatever),
• and what may happen if they don't.

It's time to get real. It's time...for Stargazing. Brought to you by the good folks at the Green Team, Greening Law, P.C.

Any Stanley Cup playoffs questions keeping you up at night, not that there's anything wrong with that? Tell us about them at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. We read them all, and we may even talk about them in the next podcast, so you got that going for you.

And don't forget to spread the Stars love around – rate, review and share.

Players are still deploying to the places they’ll call home this season, but the @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share wherever you listen. We appreciate it more than words can say, although we have plenty of words, if you want them.

The Dallas Stars have won twice as many games as they’ve lost so far. Think about that while you get ready for the Edmonton matinée.

Wes and Mark have been thinking about it for a while. They recorded this podcast literal moments before the Stars-Coyotes game began, and they’re absolutely willing to take credit for Denis Gurianov getting his mojo back. (They’re also willing to publicly ask David Castillo to do their analytics work for them.) In this episode:

• Tyler Seguin’s big return to form,
• the ongoing dominance of the Pavelski & Sons line,
• Jamie Benn’s mentorship of Ty Dellandrea, and why it should make every Dallas fan smile (and every opponent shudder in fear),
• the arsenal of new playing tools Pete DeBoer has brought to bear,
• the new-look defense,
• and the countermeasure-proof miracle machine that is Miro Heiskanen.

If you can’t get off the schneid with a butt goal, the next best thing is to break your duck by way of a kick assist. This is Stargazing’s story, and we’re sticking to it.

Got questions? Sound off at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. It’s the feedback we live for.

The @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next playoffs podcast.

And, as always, please rate, review and share. Tell us why you listen wherever you subscribe.

At this very moment, every team in the Dallas Stars organization is at the top of its division. Think about that over dinner. It’s fun.

100 Degree Hockey founder (and AHL color commentator) Stephen Meserve joins Mark for a spring update on how the Stars have aligned to give us world peace – or at least the prospect of three deep playoffs runs. In this edition, we explore:

• the role that roster depth has played in the season so far,
• the pros and cons of a stable lineup,
• the players earning T-Stars head coach Neil Graham’s trust,
• the hottest prospects to watch,
• who’s challenging for organizational supremacy,
• and who looks to have figured out how to make the big jump to Big D.

What kind of organization has to healthy-scratch Mavrik Bourque? This question and more like them are waiting for you in this special edition of Stargazing. Plus, you can find out what Stephen has in common with Jerad Rosburg, and who doesn’t want to know that? Brought to you by our sponsor, Greening Law, P.C.

Which prospects are you watching? Let us know in the comments, or DM us on the bird app @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be featured in our next episode.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. We live for it. (Pretty pathetic, we know.)

The Dallas Stars began the month of March with back-to-back shutouts at the hands of Andrei Vasilevskiy and the Tampa Bay Lightning. If it feels like you’ve seen this before, it’s probably because they’ve been rehearsing for this humiliation throughout the month of February.

Wes and Logan talk about a Stars-crossed month – and find a path that leads the Victory Green Gang to a better place by April. A fantasy, you say?...

In this edition:

• Has Miro Heiskanen come back to Earth?
• How much did the Stars miss Alexander Radulov in February?
• How much help can they get from their March schedule?
• How much can we expect them to do without Tyler Seguin?
• And how much will they matter by April?

All this, and predictions for the next Columbus Blue Jackets series, can be yours in this episode. Lean into it, and step all the way out to the edge with us!

Ready to be part of the next Stargazing? Post your puck questions at Defending Big D, or find us @WesALawrence, @LoganStarkChel and @KETibbetts.

It’s mid-June already, and it may be safe to say that the Dallas Stars’ search for a new head coach is going to be longer and more comprehensive than rumor would lead us to believe. But what can we expect from the successful candidate...and how might the Stars’ definition of “successful candidate” differ from what you expect?

Can the Stars find a bench boss who can integrate their veteran talent with the emerging potential of a new, young core? Or will Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz suffer the same fate as prime Jamie Benn? Taylor and Mark discuss all this and more:

• What’s going on with the coaching hire?
• How much of that decision is up to Jim Nill?
• How much of what we’re hearing is probably being leaked by agents?
• Will the new guy fit with both the Stars’ existing roster and their hottest up-and-comers?
• Can they finally sync up with the future direction of the league while they’re at it?
• What will the new regime mean for how the Stars approach the 2022 NHL Draft?
• And how do they compete with all the other teams who are looking for fresh blood behind the bench?

All this, plus the best reason for Jason Robertson to sign a bridge deal this offseason, await you in Stargazing. Buckle up...the summer is about to get more exciting.

We love your comments and questions. All of them. Leave one at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast!

And for the love of hockey, please rate, review and share. Tell us why you listen wherever you subscribe.

The Dallas Stars have responded to adversity pretty well so far in this Stanley Cup playoffs series. How can they carry that forward against a Seattle Kraken team that's (mostly) capable of matching skill with skill?

DBD's fearless leader, Taylor Baird, joins Wes and Mark for a long look at the series so far, just in time for your pre-Game 3 listening. In this episode:

• the impact of Joe Pavelski,
• the importance of knowing when to react and when to let it ride,
• which lines are working (and which players they're not working for),
• what Dallas might do to switch up the defense,
• how Jason Robertson can get his groove on,
• and the eternal danger of Jake Oettinger.

Who do you think is the Stars player most likely to make another team miserable during a seven-game series? Share your thoughts...with Stargazing. It's brought to you by the good folks at the Green Team, Greening Law, P.C.

What's Kraken? Let us know at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. We're collecting your thoughts, because we love you. (Not like we're stalkers, or anything.)

And don't forget that rating, reviewing and sharing is a great way to share the love around. Thanks in advance.

The Dallas Stars have traded blows with some of their biggest Central Division rivals during the preseason to date. In the process, they’ve shown us glimpses of what they’re trying to become under head coach Pete DeBoer. Now comes the big question: Do you like where this team is at?

Wes, Mark, and Juraj stayed up late just to talk about the underrated, the injury-prone, and the over-under on the opening-night squad. In this episode:

• When will Jason Robertson be back, realistically?
• What will the Stars do in the meantime?
• What will change with Ty Dellandrea’s injury?
• Where will Thomas Harley start the season?
• How will the junior-league playoffs experience of Wyatt Johnston, Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque figure into their chances?
• What about goalie depth? (No, really. We’re back to goalie depth as a preseason puzzler.)
• Who are the Dallas roster’s dark horses?
• And how will the salary-cap situation affect (read: interfere with) these decisions?

Does scoring more goals solve everything? Here at Stargazing, we look forward to finding out. Join us, won’t you?

What are your biggest questions about the coming season? Let us know in the comments, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And we love it when you rate, review and share. Tell us why you listen wherever you subscribe.

Jim Nill and the Dallas Stars worked all weekend to get ready for Wednesday. Now, with the Seattle Kraken expansion draft bearing down on us like a...really big thing that, you know, bears down...it’s nearly time to find out where the rubber will meet the road.

Wes, Tyler and Mark read the maps and sat down for a long discussion about where all this is headed. In this episode, we contemplate questions like these:

• Is the Miro Heiskanen extension great, or the greatest?
• Was the Jason Dickinson trade the best move possible, or did it open up an entire can of unintended consequences?
• Shall we talk about the fallacy inherent in the notion of “losing a player for nothing”?
• ...And, while we’re at it, about the tendency of many front offices to galaxy-brain themselves into worse positions than they might have been in if they’d done nothing?
• Did Ben Bishop just become the player most likely to end up in a Kraken sweater?
• How badly could that end up for Dallas – or, conversely, for Seattle?
• Can the Kraken close the loop that will allow them to take, and keep, Jamie Oleksiak?
• And how much better would Seth Jones have to be to consider ditching John Klingberg for him?

What would you give up to get more size and grit? Think before you answer. This is Stargazing.

Be part of the next podcast: Post your puck questions in the comments, or find us @WesALawrence and @KETibbetts.

Hockey fans everywhere are counting the minutes until the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs begin. So why not chain them together and make them fight for supremacy?

Wes Lawrence, co-host of Defending Big D's own Stargazing Puckcast, joined fellow commentators from six of our sibling sites to chew the fat and spit hot fire:

• Stanley Cup Of Chowder, for all things Boston Bruins,
• Anaheim Calling, a favorite pond for Ducks fans,
• Jewels From The Crown, serving the Los Angeles Kings,
• The Cannon, sounding off for the Columbus Blue Jackets,
• Davy Jones' Locker Room, where Seattle Kraken fans lurk,
• and Lighthouse Hockey, a beacon for the New York Islanders.

This expert panel went series by series in anticipation of the playoffs action. Here's what they talked about:

• Can anyone stop the Bruins?
• How much Martin Jones does anyone really need?
• Does Connor McDavid stay in God Mode?
• Can the Colorado Avalanche get healthy?
• How do the Stars deal with actual expectations?
• And much, much more.

Buckle up, it's going to be a heckuva ride! (Notice: Not responsible for accidents, nausea, coma, death, or any other physical or psychological injuries.) And, as always, our end is brought to you by our sponsor, Greening Law, P.C.

You must have so many questions about Round 1. Share them at Defending Big D, or flip us a bird @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You'll get name-checked in the next podcast, and your pals will be jealous.

And this time, we invite you to visit the sites of our friends and rivals, as linked above. Many of them are as new and improved as this one, and they'll appreciate the clicks for sure. Thanks. Love you.

Believe it or not, the Dallas Stars...actually had a pretty good January. So does this mean we start planning the parade, or what, or...?

Wes and Mark sifted through the facts and found some Victory Green shoots, as well as the usual omens. In this episode:

• Eight points in five games...are the Stars really and truly on the upswing?
• Has Alexander Radulov shaken off the last of the post-surgery rust and activated? And if so, could this mean that a second (third?) scoring line has finally arrived?
• Are the now-predictable Denis Gurianov benchings somewhat more tolerable now that there’s legitimate offensive competition in Riley Damiani?
• Did John Klingberg’s injury (hear us out) actually come at an opportune time?
• And now that the Pavelski & Sons line is scoring on the road, dare we hope for a Stanley Cup playoffs spot?

Who else is rooting for a second wildcard berth and a romp through the Pacific Division? Sit next to Mark. You’re at Stargazing.

Your comments keep us alive, so leave us one! Or seek us out @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. Tell us how we’re doing wherever you subscribe.

This season’s Dallas Stars feel like an early holiday present already. But there’s always room for improvement, right?

Wes, Mark and Juraj got together the morning of the Anaheim Ducks game to talk about what the Stars have, and what they’re wishing for. In this edition:

• Are we on full-time Jason Robertson Hart Trophy watch? Should we be?
• How does the Stars’ cap-hit layer cake stack up with the Roope Hintz extension?
• Can a handful of sub-optimal contracts still spoil the taste?
• Or will it be offset if the reinvigoration of a few key players keeps paying dividends?
• What about the holes that still remain in the defense?
• Is there really any downside to the team being so healthy, for the most part?
• How do the Stars’ salary issues track with general league trends?
• And what of Joe Pavelski?

All this, plus an Anton Khudobin update, are in this week’s Stargazing. Gather around the Yule log with us.

Let’s talk Stars hockey. Leave us a note in the comments, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And all we want for Christmas is a rate, review or share. (Well, that and a wired mic for Mark.) Put us on your Secret Santa list, won’t you?

It’s 2022, and the Dallas Stars are finally about to play another game! How much excitement can one fandom take? ...Right?

We’re about to find out, because Wes and Mark welcome a brand-new panelist to a new year at the best Stars podcast. Trent joins us for...well, another evening of the same old stuff we’ve been discussing for months, but now there’s a new body on the line, which makes it different. In this episode:

• Realistically, what can a fully healthy Stars team do after a 17-day Christmas-and-COVID hiatus?
• Is it better that the Stars went through this together and at the same time, rather than enduring the roster churn that has upended other teams’ results?
• Can the Stars avoid giving the Florida Panthers too much zone time, or is the turtle too much with us?
• Will they benefit from a little chaos, should any of it break out?
• Are they any closer to having a top six...or even a top nine?
• What will it take to activate Miro Heiskanen offensively?
• Was it a good decision to start Jake Oettinger in the AHL this season?
• Could the Central-heavy schedule in the last half of the season end up being a blessing?
• What happens if the Stars actually have to outplay somebody?
• And is Tyler Seguin allowed to go on a run ever again?

What would a hundred Hockey Men think? It’s a blur to us now. We’ll try to figure it out together, in Stargazing.

Have any new topics for us to wear out? Post them in the comments, or seek us out @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And just a reminder: We love it when you rate, review and share. Tell us how we’re doing wherever you subscribe.

What have the last few seasons of Dallas Stars hockey taught us? That speedy puck movers are the wave of the future (provided your team hasn’t decided to play throwback puck)? That right-handed defenders must be protected at all costs (until they aren’t)? That there’s never really a logjam in goal?...

Derek Neumeier, head Western scout with FC Hockey and longtime Friend o’ DBD, joined Wes and Mark to talk about it. In this jam-packed episode:

• Wyatt Johnston’s incredible OHL season – and why he could earn an NHL roster spot out of training camp,
• Riley Tufte’s possible role on the roster,
• Ty Dellandrea’s progress and potential,
• Logan Stankoven, future fan favorite,
• Antonio Stranges, and what we can learn about prospect development by following him closely,
• Artem Grushnikov, and what makes him a modern-day shutdown defenseman,
• the incredible shrinking blueline prospect pool,
• the question marks about depth in goal,
• the impact of the flat cap on the future lineup,
• the Stars’ draft capital, and how they can use it,
• and how all of this affects the Texas Stars.

...What, with a Top Gun movie in theaters right now, you think we wouldn’t talk about a kid named Mavrik? But wait, there’s more – because this is Stargazing.

Send us all your comments and questions! Leave one at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And please, please rate, review and share. Tell us why you listen wherever you subscribe.

At some point in Western Conference Final Game 3, the Dallas Stars quit playing like a team and started playing like individuals. It would have been easy to give up on them when adversity struck early in Game 4...and yet here we are, with Game 5 on the horizon.

Wes and Mark took a moment to disassemble the Voltron of disaster that culminated in Tuesday night's breakdown, and what the Victory Green Gang must to do to avoid a gentleman's sweep as the series returns to Las Vegas. In this episode:

• why the Stars have caught more pipes than nets against the Golden Knights,
• why we need to talk about Jake Oettinger,
• why Jamie Benn's shocking lapse in judgment may have felt inevitable,
• the importance of trust, or the lack of it,
• the reappearance of Regular-Season Robo, and the prospect of Dallas' best scorer beginning to score in bunches again,
• what this postseason will mean for Roope Hintz, no matter the final result,
• the long, long odds against a meaningful comeback,
• and the signs of hope – however small – that we might at least get a Game 6.

It's time to ask yourself what you believe. It's time...for Stargazing. Brought to you by our good friends at the Green Team, Greening Law, P.C.

How does all this make you feel? Tell us about it at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. We may talk about it in the next podcast.

Spread the Stars love around – rate, review and share. We appreciate it more than we can say.

Good news: The Greening Law, P.C.

Are you ready to embrace the Daddy Era? Talk to us about it at Defending Big D, or DM us on the bird app @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share, wherever you listen. Thanks!

How do you rate the Dallas Stars’ offseason so far? Has the front office made the team better, or is there still too much hanging fire to provide the spark they need?

Welcome to Stargazing, where the only offer-sheet discussion is the “don’t make me laugh” kind. In this edition, Wes and Mark kick around questions like these:

• What can we hope for from Colin Miller?
• What’s the next step for Miro Heiskanen?
• Will Thomas Harley get the shot at top-four action that was the putative reason the Stars drafted him in the first place?
• Can Esa Lindell rediscover his offensive game under new bench boss Pete DeBoer?
• What kind of gamble is the Mason Marchment signing?
• Will the entire league follow Tampa Bay into a stars-and-scrubs roster structure?
• And is there still a daring deal the Stars can strike to keep John Klingberg?

Somebody has to decide to make it happen, and Stargazing is on the case. Get your summer Stars fix here.

Send us your questions! No, really! Leave one at Defending Big D, or contact us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And we love it when you rate, review and share, especially during the offseason. Tell us why you listen wherever you subscribe.

The Dallas Stars went home way too early from the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, and now they’re cleaning house. With most of the coaching staff now clearing out their lockers, what’s next for the Victory Green Gang?

Wes, Taylor and Mark read the litmus test of the Rick Bowness era, as well as the tea leaves for the next bench crew. In this episode:

• How surprised should we be?
• Where will the Stars look for the next sheriff in town?
• What are the odds that a European coach gets a shot at rebooting the Stars’ young roster?
• Or is an NHL long-timer like Barry Trotz a better choice for getting the veterans going?
• Will Texas Stars up-and-comer Neil Graham make the cut?
• And what will any new head coach have to do once they get here?

All this, plus the eternal debate over how the NHL develops new talent, are yours in the new Stargazing – where it’s always a good time to be a Stars fan.

Your comments and questions keep us alive. Leave one here or find us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And for the love of hockey, please rate, review and share. Tell us why you listen wherever you subscribe.

It’s late February, and the @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. Tell us how we’re doing wherever you subscribe.

The Texas Stars head coach Neil Graham the big team’s next breakout homegrown prospect?

Do you ever think you just need to talk more crap about your favorite players to get them going? You’re among friends here.

And you can also be part of the next Stargazing. Post your puck questions in the comments, at Defending Big D, or with @WesALawrence, @LoganStarkChel and @KETibbetts.

There’s been a rich combo of excitement and apprehension concerning the 2021-22 season in the Dallas Stars fanbase. But how much have you thought about how full seasons in the feeder leagues can change the team’s destiny?

We love our prospect talk here at DBD, so we made sure to get two of the best at it for this edition of Armchair GM. Guest host Mark Zimmerman spent more than an hour with DBD and FC Hockey prospect guru Derek Neumeier, as well as Stephen Meserve, the mind behind the go-to Texas Stars source 100 Degree Hockey. You can hear the results now.

Note: We recorded this podcast before yesterday’s big news about Ben Bishop. However, some of the Stars’ most pressing goaltending issues will still be there – indeed, they may be exacerbated – if the Seattle Kraken scarf up Big Ben. With that said, here’s what you can expect from this episode:

• No matter what happens in the NHL expansion draft, the Stars have supply issues in net – how do they solve them?
• Could the organization benefit from a Mike McKenna type, if not Mike McKenna himself?
• How do you feel about veteran depth – and are the Texas Stars suffering from not enough of it?
• Is Thomas Harley everything fans have built him up to be – and what will he need to succeed with the big team?
• How will Maxime Fortunus’ new role in Cedar Park affect the blueline pipeline?
• Who’s the best defender you aren’t talking about – and who gets the first call-up in 2021-22?
• What are the odds Riley Damiani gets 20 NHL games next season?
• Can Adam Mascherin force his way into the big squad’s forward corps?
• How close is Ty Dellandrea to becoming an everyday NHL’er?
• Can you really have too many bottom-six players – and how do they carve out a role?
• Which of the Stars’ European players should you be watching more closely?
• How many of the team’s issues are really leaguewide issues?
• How will the return of full seasons in the AHL help solve them?
• And what do you have to do in Jim Nill’s organization not to get a qualifying offer?

No one likes plus-minus as a stat, but sometimes it’s all you have. Let’s get into that. This is Stargazing.

Hey you! Want to be part of the next podcast? Post your puck questions in the comments, or find us @WesALawrence and @KETibbetts.

You ask how we know about Dallas Stars hockey? Well, we spent a week there one day.

Wes, Taylor and Mark reflect on the month’s worth of news the Victory Green Gang made in the past 96 hours or so. In this must-listen edition:

• Are the Stars the most dramatic team in the NHL, or is it just that the drama tends to be concentrated in big clumps?
• Was it a good idea to give Ben Bishop one last shot at a return from injury?
• Was Anton Khudobin’s contract extension absolutely necessary?
• What can we expect now that the Jake Oettinger - Braden Holtby Era is officially upon us?
• What’s happening to the league now that the Omicron variant has given COVID-19 its big comeback – and is a temporary shutdown inevitable?
• What does that have to do with the unspecified non-COVID illness that’s lingering in the Stars’ dressing room and refusing to leave?
• What do they need to do to play through misfortune and still keep their identity? (IMPORTANT: Not the identity where they can’t score. They can lose that one.)
• And what about the Winter Olympics? (No, seriously, what about them?)

What are your favorite Bish memories? Share and enjoy in the comments. (Eat at Stargazing.)

Remember, we’re always on the lookout for burning questions. Post them in the comments at Defending Big D, or seek us out @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And as always, we love it when you rate, review and share. Tell us how we’re doing wherever you subscribe.

It's a good time to be a Dallas Stars fan. Jason Robertson is officially the new Mike Modano. Jamie Benn and Joe Pavelski have renewed our faith in Veteran Savvy with record-breaking performances. And Miro Heiskanen is still Miro Heiskanen. All this, plus Jake Oettinger, and the 2023 postseason looks like a bright light at the end of the regular-season tunnel.

And while it's technically possible for the Victory Green Gang to fall out of the Stanley Cup playoffs, it's probably time to start scouting Western Conference matchups. Wes and Mark are, as always, up to the challenge. In this episode, they discuss: 

• why every first-round opponent will be challenging,
• why some will be more challenging than others (file under: just about any Central Division team),
• why the Stars should try to make a statement with every remaining regular-season game,
• and why the persistent specter of getting goalie'd fades during a playoffs series.

Is it true that if you say "Murder Death Kill Division" three times, Gabriel Landeskog will get a hat trick against you? Share your suspicions...with Stargazing. It’s brought to you by our sponsor, Greening Law, P.C.

Who's your dream first-round opponent? Tell us about it at Defending Big D, or send us a bird @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And we hate it when you rate, review or share. Seriously. Don't do it.

The postseason is officially here! Are you ready for the rollercoaster that lies ahead? We can only hope the Dallas Stars are, too – and therein lies the discourse.

In our second installment of Armchair GM, David and Mark center on centers, and wingers, and scoring lines. In this episode:

• Key injuries probably kept the Stars out of the playoffs in 2021 – but will their system keep them out in 2022?
• How do they get better at overtime?
• Which Cedar Park prospects might be ready for their Jason Robertson moment?
• He’s AHL rookie of the year – but will reigning Garrett Memorial Award winner Riley Damiani turn out more like Mikko Rantanen or Curtis McKenzie?
• Is the UFA everyone wants the UFA who can have the biggest impact?
• Can the hefty supply of left wingers in the 2021 UFA class give the Stars some key options in case Jamie Benn is set to become a full-time center?
• Can the team finally solve the puzzle of putting complementary players together?
• Will Denis Gurianov get his groove back if they do?
• Can they at least put together a fourth line that makes sense?
• And what of Joel “The Junk Man” Kiviranta?

Has “I like where we’re at” become Jim Nill’s version of “Mission Accomplished”? Tell us what you really think. You’re at Stargazing.

Want to be part of the next podcast? Post your puck questions in the comments or at Defending Big D, or find us @WesALawrence and @KETibbetts.

We’ve always known, deep down, that Jamie Benn was that guy. But sometimes Talk to us at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And please do us the honor of a rate, review, or share. All three, even. It means the world and the stars.

New Year’s Eve and the Air them at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. Start the new year as part of the next podcast!

And if you’ve already subscribed, please don’t forget to rate, review and share. You’re some of our favorite auld acquaintances.

We keep saying the Greening Law, P.C.

Want to get your question or comment into our final 2023 @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. Because who doesn’t love a DBD shout?

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. We’re all family here, so it’s the law, or something.

What was that quote about best-laid plans? We’re not sure, but we think it means sometimes you have to cancel bedtime so you can figure out what the Texas Stars, other than that the organization sees him as Jake Oettinger’s future backup anyway?

“A weaker man might be moved to re-examine his faith, if in nothing else at least in the law of probability.” Are you sick of hearing us talk about the exact same problems every single ding-dang week? Then ask us a question of your own. Leave it in the comments, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts.

And please remember to rate, review and share! Tell us how we’re doing at our Podbean site, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon, or wherever you subscribe. (You do subscribe, right...?)

The Dallas Stars have made it halfway to the big show. Not bad for a team that was widely expected to miss the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs altogether. Now comes their biggest test yet: Can they take down the regular-season Western Conference champions, the Vegas Golden Knights, on Sin City's home ice?

Wes and Mark have been thinking about this matchup for a long time. A long time. In this edition, they talk about:

• what stood out in the Stars' seven-game series with the Seattle Kraken,
• why this series marks a return to "normal" hockey,
• what Esa Lindell does exceptionally well,
• why the Stars succeed, or fail, in individual games,
• which groups are crushing it, and which are Kryptonite,
• how the whole team can help out Jake Oettinger,
• why even a struggling Jason Robertson is better than you think,
• and what may be the one way Vegas can control the series.

It's on, as they say, like Donkey Kong. We're Stargazing, and we approve this message. Brought to you by our good friends at the Green Team, Greening Law, P.C.

What does your NHL GM bingo card look like? Tell us about it at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. We may talk about it in the next podcast.

And don't forget to spread the Stars love around – rate, review and share.

Whether you believe the Greening Law, P.C.

What’s your stupid problem? Leave it at Defending Big D, or DM us on the bird app @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. Thanks for listening.

There’s a building consensus that the Dallas Stars made out like bandits during the 2021 NHL Draft. And while it’s music to the ears of the Victory Green faithful, that boosterism sometimes comes off a little light on details. How well did they do, in real terms?

Wes and Derek (who, you may recall, is an actual scout) sat down to discuss it. In this episode, you learn the answers to questions like these:

• What does a professional hockey scout look for?
• Why are good tools better than bad consistency?
• How much pressure do top prospects really live with?
• How did the pandemic really affect the scouting process during the past season?
• What did the Stars see in Wyatt Johnston...and where did they see it?
• Why does a player like Logan Stankoven drop to the second round?
• Ayrton Martino: lucky get, or luckiest get ever?
• How underscouted was Justin Ertel?
• And when will established Stars prospects like Thomas Harley, Ty Dellandrea and Riley Damiani take the next step?

What do you expect to learn from this episode? Whatever it is, revise it upward. You’re going to learn a lot. Because you’re Stargazing. (Even if you’ve never played in the AJHL, or in Belarus under a different name.)

Any questions? Become part of the next podcast by posting your puck questions in the comments or at Defending Big D, or DM’ing us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts.

Expecting the unexpected is a prerequisite of true Dallas Stars fandom. And the trait of consistent inconsistency runs in the hockey family.

Back in 2021 preseason, the Texas Stars were shaping up to be a potential superpower in the AHL’s Central Division. Since then...well, life happened. Stephen Meserve, editor and mastermind of 100 Degree Hockey, joined Mark and Taylor this week to discuss the season so far, and the outlook for the Stars’ prospects.

In this edition:

• Why does the Stars’ blue-chip prospect pipeline keep missing Cedar Park – and how has this affected the team on and off the ice?
• How is goaltending shaping up now that Jake Oettinger has moved to Dallas permanently?
• Which defenders are performing (or underperforming)?
• Why is reigning AHL Rookie of the Year Riley Damiani struggling to put up the kind of numbers he gloried in last season?
• What has former Star and new assistant coach Maxime Fortunus brought to the mix?
• How have ECHL prospects playing for the Idaho Steelheads factored in?
• And will T-Stars head coach Neil Graham be the next big prospect to graduate from Austin Metro?

All this, plus Stephen’s explanation of the AHL’s new playoffs rules, are waiting for you in this week’s Stargazing. You might be able to find better gameday listening, but you’d have to look really, really hard.

We love comments, no matter what kind. Leave one at Defending Big D, or seek us out @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share. Tell us how we’re doing wherever you subscribe.

The Dallas Stars are cooking along this season so far, to the point where you might have even forgotten how much the NHL salary cap has affected their every move. But how long will that last?

Hockey insider Sean Shapiro joins Taylor and Mark to discuss the Stars’ business, on and off the ice. In this episode, they kick around:

• where the Stars will get their revenue in the future,
• why Ty Dellandrea is the Stars story that should get more attention,
• why Joel Hanley may have the safest berth of any Stars player,
• how Thomas Harley can make his case in Dallas,
• whether Matej Blumel can play his way onto the big team,
• and why sports betting is coming to Texas, whether anyone likes it or not.

Hate those digital ads? At least they’re distracting you from the ones on the uniforms. Welcome to Stargazing.

Got questions? Sound off at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share wherever you listen. It really does keep us going.

The NHL silly season is rolling up on us like a big, slow, heavy rolling thing. And while nothing particularly interesting is happening for at Defending Big D - or find us @WesALawrence and @KETibbetts.

And hear Stargazing before anyone else by subscribing for free at our Podbean site, iTunes, Google, Amazon, or wherever you find your favorite casts.

The Dallas Stars have made some notable moves on this summer’s free-agent market, but so far the biggest headlines have surrounded GM Jim Nill. With a brand-new Jack Adams Award under his belt and two more years helming the ship in his future, that seems appropriate.

Wes and Mark certainly thought so, and now they want to talk about why. In this edition:

• Why did GM Jim focus on the forward corps?
• What will have to happen if the Stars still want another top-four blueliner?
• How can Nils Lundqvist still have an impact?
• Where do the Stars’ best prospects fit into Nill’s three-dimensional chess game?
• What will Dallas do about its cap situation?
• And how will Pete DeBoer deploy the retooled roster?

We don’t know the question…but is the answer Matt Duchene? Let’s talk about it…in the new episode of Stargazing. Brought to you by our good friends at the Green Team, Greening Law, P.C.

Is hundred-degree heat actually the best time for hockey? Objectively? Post your thoughts at Defending Big D, or DM us on the bird app (or whatever ’90s system-default font that is) @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. We'll mention you by name in the next podcast, and that high will last you for the rest of the week. We practically guarantee it.

And please tell your friends about us with a rate, review, or share. Enjoy.

It could be a big, big Tuesday for the Leave one at Defending Big D or find us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And please rate, review and share while you’re at it. Tell us why you listen wherever you subscribe.

It’s not really saying the quiet part out loud to observe that the Dallas Stars’ season is all but over. Their fortunes and struggles have sealed their fate, and its final dispensation is now to be decided largely by other teams. The battle has been fierce, but at this point it’s futile.

Wes and Taylor took a heaping dose of humanity and sat down to review the past and look to the future. Here’s their #Disco playlist for this episode:

• a timely review of the obstacles strewn through the Stars’ season,
• how the absence of a high-end chaos agent like Alexander Radulov has affected their play,
• the Stanley Cup playoffs window, and where it opens and closes,
• the struggle to integrate new pieces into the core,
• how load management can help keep Jamie Benn productive,
• how the front office can keep the band together in the offseason,
• and how the expansion draft can still upend their plans.

So what have you spoken into existence today? No judgment here – this is Stargazing. Just don’t come to us for pronunciation help.

But hey, it’s never too late to be part of the next cast. Post your puck questions in the comments, or find us @WesALawrence and @KETibbetts.

Father Time is undefeated, but he may not be as quick as you think he is. This seems like a good place to start with a long look at one of the Texas Stars deserve some time with the big team (and a big dose of Random Robot Voice), are in this week’s Stargazing. We’ll find guys, unless we don’t.

You don’t want to let beef simmer. Throw us your questions at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And yes, Mark is getting a wired mic for Christmas. We guarantee it.

When you don't have a first-round draft pick, you have to get creative. Arguably, getting creative is what the Dallas Stars have done best for the past several years. Where has that left the team's player pipeline?

Friend of DBD Derek Neumeier, assistant director of scouting with McKeen's Hockey, sat down with Taylor Baird and Mark Zimmerman to discuss the Stars' 2023 NHL Draft and how it builds on previous years. In this episode:

• each 2023 draft pick, profiled,
• notes from the Stars' most recent Prospect Development Camp,
• what scouts are saying,
• how the Stars stack up against their competition,
• and much, much more.

Does Rich Peverley get all the credit he deserves? The answer is no, and our team can tell you why...in this edition of Stargazing. Brought to you by our good friends at the Green Team, Greening Law, P.C.

What do you want to know about the Stars' prospects? Post your questions in the comments at Defending Big D, or DM us on the bird app @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. We'll name-check you in the next podcast.

And please tell your friends about us with a rate, review, or share. We love all of you differently, but every one of you just as much. Enjoy.

The Dallas Stars organization has what we might call a good problem this season: Every team is positioned to make a big run at the top prize, and all of them want the best players for the effort. How does that shake out for the Austin Metro squad?

Regular Stargazing co-host Mark Zimmerman invited back 100 Degree Hockey's Stephen Meserve for a long talk about the Texas Stars' postseason, which officially begins on Friday, April 28 in Rockford. In this edition, learn all about:

• which players to watch at every position,
• how the team has prepared for the playoffs,
• a closer look at potential opponents,
• who's most likely to get the call-up if the Dallas Stars make a deep Stanley Cup run,
• the many ways in which leadership has shaped this year's squad,
• and why their special teams could make the difference in a long climb to the Calder Cup Finals.

All this, plus a look inside We Win Here, Stephen's new book with Sean Shapiro...what more could you want? Let's go Stargazing – in Cedar Park. Brought to you by the good folks at the Green Team, Greening Law, P.C.

Just because this is an AHL episode doesn't mean you can't share your Round 1 questions at Defending Big D. Or you can always contact us on the bird app @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. Let us know what you want to talk about!

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

The Dallas Stars have made it through yet another impossible COVID-compressed string of games, and they came out the other side with...hope? Is that what we’re experiencing?...

But the Victory Green Gang has to keep moving through the #Disco if they want to make the biggest dance of all. Wes and Logan take a moment to measure how far they’ve come – and that crucial distance that remains.

In this episode:

• How did the Victory Green Gang fare during this particular stretch of four games in six nights?
• How can they stay the course in a tough schedule that includes division leaders like the Carolina Hurricanes and the Tampa Bay Lightning...as well as their closest rivals, the Nashville Predators?
• Can even a portion of Tyler Seguin be fuel enough to propel them successfully through the obstacle course ahead?
• Will Segs’ skill set help change the Stars’ overtime fortunes in particular?
• With John Klingberg missing minutes and Miro Heiskanen on the game-time decision list, can the defense hold up against attrition?
• How well do the Stars manage a training room that often looks more like a M*A*S*H unit?
• How can Jason Robertson’s case for the Calder Trophy become even more emphatic?
• And who will be the real hero of Helm’s Deep?

All this, and a surprise ending, are yours in this edition of Stargazing. Buckle up.

Be part of the next Stargazing! Post your puck questions in the comments or at Defending Big D – or find us @WesALawrence and @KETibbetts.

When we started recording last night’s Stargazing, the Chicago Blackhawks were down 4-1 to the Nashville Predators in the third period. Life moves pretty fast, as the philosopher once observed, and the Preds’ reversal of fortune is now a matter of fairly brutal public record.

It only takes a minute – well, a few great games – for a season to change. And now that everything’s a playoff series, the Dallas Stars have been living the upside of that. Can it last? Wes, Rob and Mark got together to examine the case.

In this edition:

• Can the Stars’ current goals-for/goals-against recipe keep cooking up victories?
• With Denis Gurianov finding a couple of new gears, can the team keep rolling at least two dangerous scoring lines?
• Do they play better when they’re playing desperate?
• Is it even possible to overestimate the impact of Jason Robertson?
• What can the Victory Green Gang expect when Tyler Seguin returns from his long hiatus?
• Does the Jamie Oleksiak-Miro Heiskanen pair mean the Stars have a legitimate top four?
• And will they get any help at all from the schedule – or their direct competitors?

What’s your position on coaching?... You might pay big money to know what you really think – but Stargazing is always free.

Be part of the next Stargazing! Post your puck questions in the comments, or find us @WesALawrence, @LoganStarkChel and @KETibbetts.

The at Defending Big D – or find us @WesALawrence and @KETibbetts.

Can you believe the @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share at our Podbean site, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, or wherever you subscribe to Stargazing.

The Dallas Stars’ postseason to date isn’t made up of especially pretty strokes, but it’s pretty much impossible not to like the whole picture so far.

Wes, Taylor and Rob sat down to discuss what the Victory Green Gang has done right during the past two victories over the Calgary Flames. In this episode:

• Are the Stars actually, really built for the Stanley Cup playoffs?
• How have they managed to keep the Flames from converting their superior possession metrics into useful offense?
• When will Roope Hintz be able to buy a goal again?
• Is Jake Oettinger a Vezina-caliber netminder as well as an adorable sea creature?
• Is Calgary playing into Dallas’ hands if they try to get edgier and more physical?
• And will the series ultimately be decided not by depth scoring, but by the top line that gets going consistently?

Is it all depth scoring if nobody scores? Stargazing is asking the most important questions of our time. And then destroying them. With answers!

We love your comments and questions! Leave one at Defending Big D, or find us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next playoffs podcast.

And, as always, please rate, review and share. Tell us why you listen wherever you subscribe.

As the first of three January road stretches concludes, we can see that the Dallas Stars are no longer the back-up goalie team. Fortunately, they’ve built a crash mat full of winners’ points to cushion the inevitable bumps and falls.

The question now is how long it can (or will need to) last. Wes and Mark took a look at the California blitz that began on New Year’s Eve, and here’s what they brought for this week’s podcast:

• How did the Victory Green Gang lose to the Anaheim Ducks?
• No, really, it wasn’t all John Gibson’s Veteran Moves™ (although it might as well have been)?
• Should we expect more from Joel Kiviranta at this point?
• Can we expect more if Fredrik Olofsson gets a good look on the second line?
• What could a conditioning stint in Cedar Park do for Denis Gurianov?
• What about that new Joe Pavelski contract?
• Who has to step up on the defense?
• And what does the team still have to do to access Super Saiyan mode?

Everybody looks good with Miro Heiskanen. It is known. This is Stargazing.

Want to go over 9,000 this year? Start by sharing your questions at Defending Big D or in our DMs @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. Be part of the next podcast!

And make it a New Year’s resolution to rate, review and share our little sound files. We appreciate it more than we can say.

What will the who is not, to be sure, a podcasting newbie) to take a long look at the situation. In this episode:

• the skills they need,
• the specter of the salary cap,
• the ghost of the Stars’ puck control,
• the Chaos Line, and how to fix it,
• the save percentage in overtime,
• and whether the TDL is overblown.

Ready for a trip to the dark side? Welcome to Stargazing. Brought to you by our sponsor, Greening Law, P.C.

Comments? Questions? Leave them at Defending Big D, or DM us on Birdy Song @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be featured in our next episode.

And we love it when you rate, review and share. Please remember to give us a nod wherever you social.

The at Defending Big D - or find us @WesALawrence and @KETibbetts.

For the first time in Round 1, the @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And please rate, review and share. Tell us why you listen wherever you subscribe.

We’re about to go from zero to hockey in a period of mere days. What will you do? ...What will you do?

Wes Lawrence and Taylor Baird sat down to discuss forwards and line combos, but a sudden outbreak of actual Dallas Stars headlines gave them even better things to talk about. Among the topics:

• How should fans interpret Saad Yousuf’s money quote in The Athletic that Tyler Seguin “only require[s] acupuncture every 36 hours”?
• How much should we read into David Satriano’s assertion at NHL.com that Ben Bishop “likely will be healthy”?
• How much more does Miro Heiskanen have to do to impress the hockey men who create meaningless rankings and vote on the Norris Trophy?
• How much unseen work goes into the maintenance of a professional athlete, and how overwrought do we get when we don’t understand that context?
• How much of getting healthy is really about getting rested?
• And how much will the return to a normal, non-punishing, non-COVID schedule help?

All this, plus a fan question and a free review of the league’s long-term injured reserve rules – what more could you possibly want? Answer in the comments, because right now, we’re Stargazing.

What would you do to make the Stars’ penalty-kill unit? Be part of the next podcast by posting your questions in the comments, or DM’ing us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts.

“Dallas Stars hockey at its best” means different things at different times. Sometimes it means a cry of pain after another missed opportunity. The Victory Green Gang should have scored at least two victories during their last road trip, and yet they came home with none. What are we supposed to think?

Wes and Mark contemplate whether our team will rise to the occasion or choke another postseason away during the next few days. In this episode:

• Does goal differential really matter? Or at least matter as much as we fans like to think?
• Can the Stars actually win against teams they should be able to beat?
• Will they have to deal with the Vegas Golden Knights the old-fashioned way on Tuesday?
• Is Jake Oettinger going through a phase, or should we be worried? And how much of that can be chalked up to the 200-hockey-men baggage attached to young netminders?
• Can the Avengers Line carry the Stars the rest of the way?
• Has the relentless reality of their bubble-team status left that as the only viable option?
• And what will happen if they do make the Stanley Cup playoffs?

Who’s your First Man in Nacho Land? Let’s talk about it. Welcome to Stargazing.

We love your comments and questions! No, really! Leave one at Defending Big D, or seek us out @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And please consider rating, reviewing and sharing. Tell us what you love, or hate, wherever you subscribe.

With seven points after seven games, the Dallas Stars still haven’t won in regulation. And with two losses so far this week, fans would really rather see that sooner (tonight) rather than later (sometime next month, or year, or whenever).

Wes and Mark spent another week night pondering the enigma of the Stars, and now they’re sharing it with you. In this episode:

• Should we be happy that Jason Robertson is back and contributing, or concerned that the Stars need a 22-year-old sophomore to kick-start the offense?
• Where are the good omens for the Stars’ divisional standing?
• On the other hand, where is the difference between being in the playoff conversation and hanging out at the bottom of the barrel?
• What should we make of Ryan Suter’s start in Dallas?
• What, specifically, is Braden Holtby doing right?
• Are you comfortable with Anton Khudobin in net on Holtby’s nights off?
• Is Radek Faksa having a good season so far?
• Just how well is Miro Heiskanen performing?
• Is Esa Lindell...actually doing a great job?
• And can the Stars keep playing “Stars hockey” like they played the first two periods of the Vegas game?

How many quality scoring chances is enough? Let’s discuss it, while we’re Stargazing.

What would you like to talk about – or, technically, hear us talk about? Let us know, and be part of the next podcast! Post your questions in the comments, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts.

The Dallas Stars are back in Big D with Round 1 all tied up against the Minnesota Wild. How do they press home-ice advantage and get out of this series victorious?

Wes Lawrence and Taylor Baird bring back Stargazing Nights with a review of the first four games, as well as a look ahead at the battles to come. It's probably going to be a long week – and trust us, you need their wisdom.

It's the Stanley Cup playoffs. Everybody is 100% healthy. No further questions. So join us for a little Stargazing after dark. Brought to you by our sponsor, Greening Law, P.C.

Share your biggest Round 1 questions in the comments – or flip us a bird @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You'll probably get name-checked the next podcast, and we guarantee it'll make your week.

And please don't forget to rate, review and share. We love you in advance.

The Dallas Stars marked the unofficial start of the new hockey season with the 2022 Traverse City NHL Prospect Tournament. What does the future hold for fans of the Victory Green Gang?

Mark Zimmerman and Derek Neumeier were there, and lucky for us, they’re ready to share. They’ve examined the sure things, the sleepers, and the dark horses, and they talk about what they saw in this episode:

• What did we learn about the Stars’ depth from the Traverse City tournament?
• How did Neil Graham’s strategy take advantage of it?
• Who has the right skills to flourish under Pete DeBoer’s prospective system?
• Was the Nils Lundkvist trade a steal, or a felony?
• How will it affect the team’s structure over the next few years?
• Who’s realistically competing for a roster spot during this training camp?
• Who will grab a spot on the Texas Stars?
• Are waiver exemptions going to make most of these decisions for the front office?
• And which solid prospects could end up eating nachos, even in Cedar Park?

Will we finally see Ty Dellandrea get a full season in the NHL? Stargazing is willing to go there, and now you can go there with us. Stay tuned to learn more about Derek’s new job!

What are you most looking forward to as training camp commences? Let us know in the comments, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. There’s a very good chance you’ll be part of the next podcast.

And it helps everyone (well, us, mostly) when you rate, review and share. Tell us why you listen wherever you subscribe.

The Dallas Stars’ preseason is nearly at its end, and things look...good? But now that the Braden Holtby, Starting Goaltender conversation has begun in earnest, what else should we be noticing?

Wes and Taylor have seen a few things in the preseason that have burned the Victory Green Gang in the regular season. So they spent a good half-hour taking inventory. (PLEASE NOTE: This conversation took place before the Stars’ 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, in which Taylor herself chose Anton Khudobin as the First Star of the Game, so there’s that.)

In this edition:

• Has Braden Holtby’s preseason performance helped clarify the Stars’ netminding decisions?
• What should we make of the amount of ice time allotted to the top forwards?
• Strike that: What should we make of Alexander Radulov out there blocking shots in a preseason game?
• Has Mavrik Bourque played his way into a nine-game tester?
• Will Jacob Peterson be on the opening-night roster?
• What are the chances that Dallas carries an extra forward instead of an eighth defenseman this season?
• What does all of this say about the Stars’ roster depth?
• And what form of this team will head into the regular season?

Know the code: “Maple” is turtling when you’re down a goal, “Honey” is turtling when you’re up a goal. And there’s more where that came from, because this is Stargazing.

Are you ready for the regular season, except for that one nagging question about the existential crisis of Stars fandom? Then be part of the next podcast: Post your questions in the comments or at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts.

Sometimes, being a Dallas Stars fan means rolling with the punches. So why not get a little sparring practice in before the season starts?

Welcome to the Doomcast! Wes, Mark and Tyler leaned waaaay into the worst cases for our latest upload (with only one area ruled off-limits), and even reached as far as bankruptcy just to get the edgelord points. In this edition:

• What if the Stars can’t find a way to replace John Klingberg?
• What if Jake Oettinger stumbles out of the gate?
• Has Dallas’ old defense-from-defense system ruined the offense of its young stars?
• What if the hot prospects just aren’t as hot as we think they are?
• What will happen to The Turtle? Could a few key injuries force the Stars back into that shell?
• And what if Miro Heiskanen can’t play every single ding-dang position? (...Oh, wait.)

The way out is through. Stargazing can help.

Any questions left about the offseason? We can answer, even if we’re wrong. Leave your queries here, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And it helps everyone (well, us, mostly) when you rate, review and share. Tell us why you listen wherever you subscribe.

In the long run, an NHL team is about as good as its prospect pipeline. So where does that leave the Dallas Stars? A long look at their AHL (and ECHL) operations could offer some answers.

Stephen Meserve, head honcho of 100 Degree Hockey and a leading light in Texas Stars analysis, joins Mark and Taylor to examine the current lineup and the coming season. And it’s just in time for the season opener! In this episode:

• Can the T-Stars strike the right balance of young talent and veteran leadership?
• How will the successful offensive system from last spring work over a full season?
• How stacked are the squads when a forward like Jordan Kawaguchi is going to the Idaho Steelheads?
• Which players could surprise us, for better or otherwise?
• And how will Thomas Harley deal with starting another season in the A?

Don’t sleep on Neil Graham, is what we’re saying. That’s one reason why we call it Stargazing.

Never an overdose of Stars prospects? Sound off in the comments about who you’re watching, and DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts if you have questions. You could be part of the next podcast.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share wherever you listen. We appreciate it more than words can say, although we have plenty of words, if you want them.

The Dallas Stars are coming home from Washington with a tied series in their duffles. Can they take their first Round 2 lead over the Seattle Kraken, on home ice?

Wes, Mark and Tyler got together to give it a think-out-loud, and we turned it into a whole podcast. In this episode:

• why the Stars' top line has been the dog that didn't bark,
• what to make of Jake Oettinger's Round 2 stats,
• the horrible truth (?) about Miro Heiskanen,
• what to look for if the Stars have really turned a corner,
• and what may be the biggest danger facing the Victory Green Gang for the rest of the series.

We don't know the question, but the answer is "Give Thomas Harley more ice time." Meanwhile, it's time for Stargazing! Brought to you by the good folks at the Green Team, Greening Law, P.C.

Have a Round 2 question? Tell us about a Defending Big D, or DM us on the bird app @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. We'll name-check you in the next podcast.

And don't forget what needy creatures we are – rate, review and share. Thanks!

The Dallas Stars kicked off their season with three consecutive wins against Central Division opponents – which we might think of as the hockey equivalent of jumping off a Marshall stack into a bank of flash-bang stage effects.

It’s nice to see, but can they keep doing it? Can they do it again after an inevitable fallow period during a long season? And does it mean Pete DeBoer’s new system is working? Are the Stars...good?

Mark and Taylor teamed up just before the overtime loss in Toronto to check the vibes. In this edition, they examine:

• how the forward corps is responding to their expanding freedom,
• Miro Heiskanen and the new look of the blueline,
• whether Jake Oettinger is meeting his hype,
• the looming consequences of being a little too free with penalty minutes,
• the prospect of finally merging a high-octane offense with responsible defense,
• and whether Stars hockey is actually fun again.

Got questions about the team’s opening shots? Sound off at Defending Big D, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And please don’t forget to rate, review and share wherever you listen. It really does keep us going.

The NHL’s Central Division is crammed with elite goaltenders, and the Greening Law, P.C.

Have you had enough of ESPN yet? Tell us about it at Defending Big D, or DM us on the bird app @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be part of the next podcast.

And we always, always appreciate a rate, review or share, because our listeners are the best listeners in the world.

Three Round 1 wins in a row, taking the series in six...these Dallas Stars may actually be pretty good. Can they carry the pace into the Western Conference semifinals against a team that just knocked off the reigning champs?

Wes, Mark and Tyler took a deep look into the team's performance and found plenty to talk about. In this episode:

• how the Victory Green Gang fashioned the Round 1 victory over the Minnesota Wild,
• the individual performances that stood out during the series,
• what they need to do to prevail now that the fans have the fight they wanted with the Seattle Kraken,
• and who needs to deliver if the Stars want another Western Conference Final in their future.

All this, plus a quick listen to the thunder in the East...it's time for Stargazing. Brought to you by the good folks at the Green Team, Greening Law, P.C.

Have a Round 2 question? Let us know at Defending Big D, or DM us on the bird app @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. We'll name-check you in the next podcast.

Rating, reviewing and sharing is a great way to spread the Stars love. Thanks!

The Dallas Stars have come back from the All-Star break in pretty, pretty, pretty good fashion. With a crucial overtime win against the Anaheim Ducks and a feel-good beatdown of the Minnesota Wild, they’re cruising into a home matinee against the Tampa Bay Lightning with something like momentum.

Wes and Mark would love to get in line for their postseason tickets right now, but they’re Stars fans, and Stars fans are conditioned to brace for the collapse. What has the team done, and what should it do, to shore up its weaknesses and prepare for the playoffs? In this edition, they discuss:

• the long, wild ride that has been Jamie Benn’s career to date,
• the value and volatility of Good Denis Gurianov,
• which Texas Star should get the next big opportunity,
• at least one way the team can do better in overtime,
• how to grow a third line,
• those Patrick Kane rumors,
• Thomas Harley, yet again,
• Radek Faksa, Goal Scorer,
• and where to get one of those Otter plushies.

All this, plus a John Klingberg cameo you won’t expect...that’s it. That’s Stargazing. And it’s brought to you by our sponsor, Greening Law, P.C.

Comments? Questions? Leave them in the comments, or DM us on the bird app @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts. You could be featured in our next episode.

And please don’t forget to rate, review or share. Preferably all three. It keeps us going.