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Stargazing, A Dallas Stars Puckcast – Episode 299: Technical Weirdos

Wes and Mark look toward the season ahead with D Magazine contributor and Stars Stack founder David Castillo.

Defending Big D's Stargazing podcast logo, featuring a Dallas Stars Victory Green cassette tape with tearaway jersey texture and nets over the sprocket holes, designed by Jason Lara
Logo design: Jason Lara | @NHLMaps

We have one last chance to make predictions about the Dallas Stars before our musings start getting overtaken by events. Stargazing is ready. Again. As usual.

Wes and Mark wanted a deep dive into the 2025-26 season, so they invited D Magazine contributor David Castillo — who’s also the founder of Stars Stack (for Stars news and views) and Sticks and Salvos (for the NHL in general). In this edition, they discuss how Glen Gulutzan’s system changes could benefit Roope Hintz, Esa Lindell as an oddly specific elite defender, why the Stars can’t try to outscore their problems this year, and so much more.

Do you want to see Lian Bichsel fight a proper enforcer, or does the team need him on the ice too much? We’re Stargazing, and we have more RAWR per 60 than any cast out there. (We will threaten you with a good time, is what we’re saying.)

Let’s talk about the new season in the comments. And please give the cast a rate, review or share wherever you listen. It really does make our day. Thanks.

The Dallas Stars always knew they had a lot of work to get done in the 2026 NHL offseason. We fans always knew GM Jim Nill had a plan, and it surely involved re-signing both Jason Robertson and Mavrik Bourque. So do we panic now that Plan A is dusted? Or is a Jim Nill Plan B good enough to keep the Stars rolling? In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark discuss the battle to keep Robo (and who has a legitimate chance of taking him away), Jamie Benn's new deal, a show-me season for Thomas Harley, what the team needs from Mikko Rantanen, separating fact from fiction in the Stars' salary cap situation…and ever so much more. So is Joel Kiviranta the good-luck charm we all need to ensure everything will be OK? We're Stargazing, and we're not dismissing the prospect out of hand. Bonus question: Who are you watching among the Stars' new NHL Draft picks? Let's talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Stargazing. We love you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
  1. Plan A and Plan B
  2. Golfing Season
  3. Round 1, Game 4 Reactions
  4. Round 1, Game 3 Reactions
  5. Round 1, Game 2 Reactions

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