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Breaking down the Stars’ 2024-25 roster: How will Dallas forwards replace Joe Pavelski?

With big shoes to fill left by Pavelski’s retirement, there are some unanswered questions to be resolved in camp.

The Dallas Stars will return to the ice next week, with training camp set to begin in Frisco ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Among the three position groups, the Stars had the least amount of turnover at forward and return 10 players from last year’s roster while adding a few new names to the mix.

But with some departures on the fourth line and big shoes to fill left by Joe Pavelski’s retirement, there are still some unanswered questions to be resolved in camp and early this season.

Here is a breakdown of the 2024-25 Dallas Stars forwards:

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Returners: Jamie Benn, Evgenii Dadonov, Matt Duchene, Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston, Mason Marchment, Jason Robertson, Tyler Seguin, Logan Stankoven, Sam Steel

Additions: Colin Blackwell (free agency), Mavrik Bourque (AHL)

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Departures: Joe Pavelski (retirement), Craig Smith (free agency), Radek Faksa (trade)

Strengths

The Stars were one of the deepest offensive teams in the NHL last year with eight players scoring 20 or more goals in the regular season.

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The majority of that forward depth returns with Wyatt Johnston, Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, Matt Duchene, Tyler Seguin, Mason Marchment and Jamie Benn all back. Those six forwards all scored over 20 goals and could make up Dallas’ top two lines this year.

Age is also on the Stars’ side entering the 2024 season. Their top three goal scorers — Johnston, Hintz and Robertson — are 27 years old or younger. Plus, the forward group has three of the rising stars in the league. Johnston is back for a third year alongside Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque, who both qualify as rookies after spending most of last year in the AHL.

Weaknesses

While Dallas’ top-three forward lines will all be reliable scoring lines, its fourth line will look different this year.

The Stars added Colin Blackwell in free agency, who scored eight goals for Chicago last year, while returning two-way forward Sam Steel and Evgenii Dadonov, who missed a large chunk of the end of last season with an injury.

A 13th forward still has to be added. Bourque will more likely slide into a middle-six role, so an additional up-and-coming player could rotate in on that fourth line, such as Matej Blumel or Oskar Back.

It’s possible Dallas could see four new line combinations for the first time in years, which may lead to a transition while they build chemistry.

Question: How will the Stars replace Joe Pavelski’s production?

The Stars parted ways with one of the most important leaders in the locker room when Pavelski announced his retirement after 18 seasons in the league and five in Dallas.

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While his leadership is irreplaceable, the Stars will have to find a way to replace his production.

Pavelski went through arguably the worst slump of his career in the playoffs this year, as his age started to catch up to him, and he scored one goal in 19 games. But in the regular season, he was playing near his best hockey and finished second on the team in points with 67 (27 goals and 40 assists).

Replacing 67 points and 27 goals is no easy feat, especially without adding a big-name forward through free agency. The Stars will need players like Robertson, Hintz and Johnston to shoulder some of that load as well as a strong rookie year from Bourque.

On X/Twitter: @Lassimak

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