Seattle, WA
Stars’ offseason focus on roster depth proves valuable in victory over Seattle Kraken
Each offseason, the Stars strive to become a deeper team.
It was a focus for GM Jim Nill and his staff ahead of last season, so they added some key forward depth to make Dallas one of the deepest-scoring teams in the NHL with eight 20-goal scorers.
When that depth dried up in the Western Conference finals against Edmonton, especially on the blue line, the Stars went out and added more this past summer.
Through three games, the Stars (3-0-0) already have seven goal-scorers and 11-point earners. Two new goal scorers — Sam Steel and Wyatt Johnston — tallied their firsts of the year to elevate Dallas to a 2-0 win over the Seattle Kraken (1-2-0) Sunday night.
“That’s what good teams have,” Stars head coach Pete DeBoer said postgame. “We’ve talked about depth here since day one. You need it in order to be an elite team in this league. It’s everything.”
But the depth wasn’t limited to scorers.
The win was Dallas’ second consecutive shutout on a home-opening back-to-back this weekend. New backup goalie Casey DeSmith recorded the 11th shutout of his career in his first start for Dallas just 24 hours after Jake Oettinger did the same Saturday night.
The Stars still have not allowed a goal on the American Airlines Center ice this season.
“What I liked about Casey’s game was just how calm he looked in the net,” DeBoer said. “He really looked like he was in control and unflappable.”
DeSmith was supported by a strong performance from the skaters in front of him, especially Dallas’ blue line, which allowed 25 shots all night. The blue line also had to flex its depth, since top-pairing defenseman Matt Dumba was ruled out with a lower-body injury he suffered against the Islanders Saturday.
Free agency acquisition Brendan Smith saw his first action of the season in Dumba’s place, fitting in seamlessly and recording three blocks and a hit in 13:07 of ice time.
All of the Stars’ scoring happened in a 13-second span. With under four minutes remaining in the first period, Steel received a pass from new linemate Colin Blackwell on the post and finished for his first goal of the season.
Off the next face-off, the Stars controlled possession, and Jamie Benn carried the puck into the offensive zone before finding Johnston with a drop pass. The Stars’ leading scorer from last season became the first Stars or North Stars player 21 years old or younger to open the season with a three-game point streak since Mike Modano in 1991-92.
Dallas held strong defensively through the next two periods, especially on the penalty kill. The Stars killed off four Kraken power plays and allowed just two shots on goal on the man advantage. Dallas had three power-play opportunities of its own but was unable to score.
“I think we’ve just put a lot of emphasis, and the guys that are killing have done a lot of talking in between each other,” Steel said. “At this time of year, if you’re detailed, you’re going to have success.”
The Stars are off to a strong undefeated start to the season during a busy stretch with five games in eight days. While their depth has carried them through, they could be even stronger when they return to the ice against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, as reigning AHL MVP Mavrik Bourque may make his season debut if he can return from injury.
“I just think this team has a lot of chemistry, and they know how to win,” DeSmith said. “This team is aways at the top of the standings, and there’s a reason for that. They just love to win, and they know how to do it.”
Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
One of the Seattle Seahawks’ biggest rivals delivered the first big shockwaves of the 2026 offseason.
Why Salk ‘blanched’ at a Seahawks Maxx Crosby trade proposal
Los Angeles Rams have agreed to a deal that would send four draft picks to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for All-Pro cornerback and former UW Huskies standout Trent McDuffie, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday morning.
McDuffie, who is entering the final season of his rookie contract, is expected to sign a long-term extension with the Rams, according to Schefter.
Shortly after the news broke, former NFL quarterback Brock Huard gave his reaction on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.
“This feels like a direct move to match up with JSN and the Seahawks,” Huard said.
Widely considered to be the two best teams in the NFL this past season, the Seahawks and Rams squared off in three epic battles, capped by Seattle’s 31-27 win over Los Angeles in the NFC Championship.
Over those three games, the Rams’ shaky secondary struggled to contain NFL receiving leader and AP Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Seahawks star wideout totaled 27 catches for 354 yards and two touchdowns across those three matchups, including 10 catches for 153 yards and a TD in the NFC title game.
Smith-Njigba also had a career-high 180 receiving yards and two touchdowns in an overtime loss to the Rams in 2024.
“It’s kind of like an old NBA world,” Huard said. “Like, alright, we know we’re gonna have to deal with Jordan or we’re gonna have to deal with Pippen or we’re gonna have to deal with Bird. Like, how do we match up? And (the Rams) know that that was the one area – in their back seven – that could not match up.”
Listen to the full Brock and Salk conversation at this link or in the audio player in the middle of this story. Tune into Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
Seattle Seahawks offseason coverage
• What Brock Huard makes of Seahawks’ Ken Walker situation
• A possible replacement if Seahawks don’t re-sign Walker
• Huard: Jobe is most likely free agent the Seattle Seahawks re-sign
• Report: Seattle Seahawks not tendering restricted FA Jake Bobo
• The Seattle Seahawks’ risks with Walker set to be free agent
The countdown to the FIFA World Cup hit a milestone Tuesday, approximately 100 days from the start of the global soccer tournament, which is being played this time in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Seattle is one of 16 host cities for the tournament, with the first game at Lumen Field scheduled for June 15.
Seattle-area hosts could net $3,800 as Airbnb eyes home sharing for FIFA World Cup fans
City leaders at a press conference on Tuesday described specific changes underway to welcome an estimated 750,000 people during the six matches, from adding new artwork in downtown to bolstering security.
“Our aim is actually to revitalize, reinvigorate, rejuvenate the downtown core,” Seattle World Cup Organizing Committee CEO Peter Tomozawa stated.
People who take a trip through downtown Seattle will see that part of that work has started in anticipation of the World Cup, with 53 colorful paintings on the columns of the monorail, showcasing the flags of the countries of the competing teams.
“In just 100 days, people will come back to Seattle and will be using the system to travel back and forth to various events related to [the] FIFA World Cup,” Seattle Monorail Services Megan Ching said.
“The visitors who are coming here for the World Cup are already booking their trips: where to stay, how to get around and what to explore,” added Jorge Gotuzzo with Visit Seattle.
Darkalinos restaurant hopes the events planned for Pioneer Square will convince new customers to return beyond the tournament.
“The summer season is what keeps us going,” General Manager Crystal Hernandez told KOMO News. “We’re going to have a beer garden in the plaza. There will be some live music outside.”
Behind the scenes, work continues to plan for crowd control and security. That means round table meetings and partnerships at the international, federal, state and local levels.
Iran’s participation in Seattle World Cup match up in the air following US strikes
“We’ve been working on the security plan for over three years,” Tomozawa explained. “We hired former SPD Chief John Diaz to design the plan and I have to say this is one of our highest priorities, for sure.”
Downtown Seattle Association President and CEO Jon Scholes adds that businesses are eager to build on the success of the recent Seahawks Super Bowl parade. He said there will be watch parties for the matches at Westlake, Pacific Place and along the waterfront.
“Seattle’s a big event town, and we can do it well and produce a lot of joy for hundreds of thousands of people,” Scholes stated.
The World Cup Organizing Committee mentioned Seattle’s walkability makes it a great location for the tournament. It’s why they also announced a new walking path to connect multiple neighborhoods that will stay beyond the summer.
Seattle to host 4 free FIFA World Cup 2026 fan celebration venues starting June 11
It’s called the Unity Loop, runs about four-and-a-quarter miles and will connect the stadiums, waterfront, Seattle Center, Westlake and the CID, but no specifics were provided.
SEATTLE — A 36-year-old man was arrested after Seattle police say he threw rocks at passing cars in South Seattle early Tuesday, shattering a truck window and injuring a couple in their 50s.
Patrol officers responded at 12 a.m. to reports of a man hurling rocks near Rainier Avenue South and South Henderson Street.
SEE ALSO | 3 hurt after late-night crash sends car into north Seattle auto parts store
Police said they found the couple with facial injuries after their truck window shattered. Firefighters treated both victims at the scene, and the couple then drove to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
Officers found the suspect nearby and arrested him. According to the police report, the man made “multiple threats to shoot officers in the head and kick and punch officers before and after being placed into custody.”
Police also spoke with a King County Metro transit supervisor who reported that two Metro coaches had damage to their windshields and route destination signs after being struck by rocks. Police said no drivers or passengers were hurt.
More witnesses also told police they saw the suspect throwing rocks at moving vehicles.
Police said the suspect is a convicted felon and was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of assault, malicious mischief, and property destruction. Detectives in the General Investigations Unit are assigned to the case.
SF scientists build robotic storm samplers to track pollutants before they reach the Bay
Public frustration grows as Dallas leaders debate billion‑dollar City Hall fix or relocation
City of Miami celebrates reopening of Flagler Street as part of beautification project
Each mile is for her miracle: This Granby mom is running the Boston Marathon with her daughter in mind
Report: Broncos expected to ‘make a splash’ at running back
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
US submarine sinks Iranian warship by torpedo in a first since World War II
Which oil and gas facilities in the Gulf have been attacked?
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of former supreme leader, tipped to become Iran’s next head of state
Video: Senators Question Kristi Noem on ICE Immigration Tactics
Combustible Republican Senate primary in Texas heading into overtime
-
World7 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Wisconsin3 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Denver, CO1 week ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Louisiana1 week agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Florida4 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Maryland4 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Oregon5 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling