The official NFL league year begins at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday, but that has not stopped the Dallas Cowboys and other teams from getting a head start on assembling their rosters.

Monday, Dallas agreed to a new deal with its leading tackler, Donovan Wilson, keeping the rising defender for another three seasons.

Dallas continued its busy maneuvering on Tuesday, re-signing linebacker Leighton Vander Esch to a two-year deal and swinging a trade with the Indianapolis Colts for two-time All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

Adding players also means that some will have to go.

Dallas has also lost offensive lineman Connor McGovern, linebacker Luke Gifford, and wide receiver Noah Brown this offseason.

***

Most Dallas pro teams were off on Tuesday, but here is what happened on the court, on the field, and behind the scenes.

NHL
Dallas Stars (37-18-13, first in Central Division, second in Western Conference)
Last Game: Vancouver Canucks 5, Stars 2

CLICK HERE TO GET THE DALLAS EXPRESS APP

The Stars fell to the Vancouver Canucks on the road as Vancouver picked up its fifth consecutive win. Dallas never led after falling behind 2-0 in the first period. Jamie Benn and Wyatt Johnston scored the goals for the Stars, while Matt Murray made 14 saves.

Noteworthy: Tuesday’s loss was the Stars’ first on the current road trip.

Benn is now second on the team with 65 points after tallying a goal and an assist against Vancouver.

The Stars trail Vegas by three points in the Western Conference with 14 games remaining. Dallas is also three points ahead of Minnesota in the Central Division. The Stars have one game left against Vegas and do not play Minnesota for the rest of the regular season.

Next Up: Stars at Edmonton Oilers (37-23-8), 8 p.m. CT Thursday

***

NBA
Dallas Mavericks (34-35, second in Southwest Division, ninth in Western Conference)

Noteworthy: The Mavericks have fallen out of the playoff as Oklahoma City slides into the eighth spot in the West because it owns the tiebreaker. Dallas, Oklahoma City, and the Los Angeles Lakers are all tied in the standings, with Utah and New Orleans one game behind.

Dallas has lost its last three games and is 6-9 since trading for Kyrie Irving.

Next Up: Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs (18-50), 7:30 p.m. CT Wednesday

***

MLB — SPRING TRAINING
Texas Rangers (7-11, 12th in Cactus League)

Noteworthy:  The Rangers are second in the majors in batting average (.299), trailing only the Kansas City Royals (.311). The team is also among the top five in on-base percentage, hits, RBIs, slugging percentage, and runs scored.

Conversely, Rangers pitching ranks 24th in the league in ERA (6.17).

Next Up: Kansas City Royals (14-4) at Rangers, 3:05 p.m. CT Wednesday