<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3ONErk_0vzm6A1o00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3ONErk_0vzm6A1o00" width="850" height="491" ></figure>Regular season NHL hockey is back at long last. <a href="https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/dallas-stars-announce-opening-night-roster-for-2024-25-season-100724">The Dallas Stars and their roster are set for Opening Night on Thursday in Nashville against the Predators.</a> Game 1 of 82 starts the movement to atone for back-to-back Western Conference Final losses. Many new players are joining the Stars with a chance to show their skills off on Thursday. They’ll skate 12 forwards, 7 defensemen, and 2 goalies with capable replacements in the minor leagues. Several milestones for Stars players are approaching as they start piling on stats against a familiar foe. Only a few hours remain until the season opener.Starting RosterOpening the season after a near-perfect preseason increases the excitement factor around this team. The main 21 players will fluctuate throughout the season with injuries or other acquisitions. Lian Bichsel did not make the roster despite showing a promising preseason. We could see him later in the season. Center Oskar Bäck made the roster and will play in his first career NHL game once he hits the ice. New acquisitions from Free Agency or trades who made the roster are Colin Blackwell, Casey DeSmith, Mathew Dumba, Ilya Lyubushkin, and Brendan Smith. These players will get their first opportunities to play for the Stars. Jamie Benn is entering the final year of his contract. There is the possibility that this season is his last on the Stars. An extension or a re-signing negates this scenario but there is potential for this season being his last chance to win a Stanley Cup on the Stars.MilestonesTyler Seguin is approaching 1,000 games played with 969. He is currently the only player on the team with a Stanley Cup ring, having won one with the Boston Bruins in his rookie season. His veteran leadership is pivotal to cementing the comradery between new players and young rookies. Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Brendan Smith are also quickly approaching multi-centurion marks in games played.Opening NightOpening Night is a special occasion for all teams. It’s the end of a long off-season with an opportunity for new teams to get their seasons underway. Thursday against Nashville is the start of the 31st season in Stars history against a team with a familiar foe. Steven Stamkos is on his new team meaning the Stars will see lots more of him over the next few years. The Predators are also looking to exact revenge on their last two meetings in Nashville. The Stars blew out the Predators 9-2 in February alongside a come-from-behind win 3-2 after trailing 1-2 with less than 15 seconds left.Hockey season is finally underway. The Utah Hockey Club won their first game Tuesday night. Five Central Division teams are already underway by the time the Stars start so let the division standings watch commence. It’s far too early for playoff spot observing but Stars hockey is here in just a few short hours.Photo Credit: Dallas Stars X</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Stars Set Roster for Opening Night

Regular season NHL hockey is back at long last. The Dallas Stars and their roster are set for Opening Night on Thursday in Nashville against the Predators. Game 1 of 82 starts the movement to atone for back-to-back Western Conference Final losses. Many new players are joining the Stars with a chance to show their skills off on Thursday. They’ll skate 12 forwards, 7 defensemen, and 2 goalies with capable replacements in the minor leagues. Several milestones for Stars players are approaching as they start piling on stats against a familiar foe. Only a few hours remain until the season opener.