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Stars’ offseason focus on roster depth proves valuable in victory over Seattle Kraken

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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.

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“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.

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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.

Stars defenseman Matt Dumba leaves game vs. Islanders early with lower-body injury

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.

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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.”

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    Monday’s TV/Radio listings (October 14)
    Goalie Casey DeSmith to make Stars debut vs. Kraken

Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.



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Ritchie's homecoming spoiled with 5-run 6th inning

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Ritchie's homecoming spoiled with 5-run 6th inning


SEATTLE – Matt Olson hit his 300th career homer and Drake Baldwin homered in his first career plate appearance as a leadoff man. By the time Austin Riley hit Atlanta’s third home run of the sixth inning and fourth of the night, it seemed like JR Ritchie’s homecoming would be



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BIZNOTE: New retail shop to open in former Willow space in West Seattle Junction

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BIZNOTE: New retail shop to open in former Willow space in West Seattle Junction


The West Seattle Junction space formerly occupied by Willow, preceded by Fleurt, will not be empty for long. A familiar Junction fashion entrepreneur is moving into 4536 California SW – here’s the announcement:

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Well-known West Seattle staple Carmilia’s announced today that it will open a new store in the Alaska Junction, offering everything from skincare products to fashion accessories. The new store, located at 4536 California Ave SW, formerly home to Fleurt and Willow, will do a soft opening on Art Walk Night, May 14, 2026. Carmilia’s owner, Linda Walsh, is at the helm of the project.

The store will be filled with all of Walsh’s favorite things: shoes, accessories, and gifts, at a variety of price points. It’s the perfect place to find unique and playful items for your next celebration or shopping spree. The store’s scheduled hours are Wednesday-Saturday 11 am-6 pm, and Sunday 10 am-4 pm.

Walsh told us she hasn’t yet settled on a name, so if you pass the future shop’s windows you will probably see “Watch This Space” as a placeholder!





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What Emmanuel Henderson Jr. says he’s bringing to Seattle Seahawks

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What Emmanuel Henderson Jr. says he’s bringing to Seattle Seahawks


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LAWRENCE — Emmanuel Henderson Jr. went into the 2026 NFL Draft in April thinking that third day, when the fourth-through-seventh rounds played out, would be when he’d be taken.

Henderson, a wide receiver in college for Kansas football this past season, wasn’t sure which team would pick him. He’d talked with the Seattle Seahawks organization during the pre-draft process sure, but there was nothing guaranteed. Overall, he was just ready for his first professional opportunity.

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Seattle, though, did end up being the team that drafted him in the sixth round. That the Seahawks are coming off of a Super Bowl title certainly stands out to him, as does the fact he’ll be able to reunite with some former teammates from Alabama — where he was, prior to transferring to KU for the 2025 season. And he’s both happy to have ended up in Seattle, and eager to show what he’d told NFL teams about his ability during the pre-draft process.

“You could see from my film, I can take the top off any defense you put me against,” Henderson said recently. “Not only that, that I’m a receiver that loves to play special teams. So, that’s one of the great abilities I got to showcase, too.”

Henderson became an All-Big 12 Conference first team honoree as a returner this past season, in addition to making the third team as a wide receiver. He added an honorable mention recognition for offensive newcomer of the year. He came to Kansas because it gave him a chance to showcase his talents, because there was playing time up for grabs, and he took advantage of his opportunity.

Henderson, who highlighted his kickoff return for a touchdown against West Virginia as one fond memory, sees his special teams experience as something that can give him an advantage as he tries to make Seattle’s roster. That he’s played at different spots there, he feels, makes him a more versatile athlete. As the offseason unfolds, he just wants to show his new coaches his personality as he puts in more work, and develop chemistry with his new teammates.

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KU coach Lance Leipold shared a post on social media following Henderson’s selection by Seattle, expressing his support. Henderson’s also heard from so many friends and family members in the days since. Now, it’s just about making sure that versatility translates to the next level.

“I’m looking forward to just moving around, inside, outside receiver, even part of the backfield if I get the chance to,” Henderson said. “But anywhere they’ll put me I’d love to go.”

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

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