The Dallas Stars announced over the weekend that they have signed forward Nathan Bastian to a one-year contract in a bid to add more depth to the roster.
Bastian is coming off a season with the New Jersey Devils in which he appeared in just 59 games, contributing four goals and six assists across those appearances on the ice.
This contract is in line with the NHL league minimum of $775,000 for the 2025-26 season and signals Dallas’ ongoing quest to blend skill and muscle ahead of another playoff run.
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 205 pounds, Bastian has built his NHL reputation on grit and toughness, finishing last season with 138 hits and ranking third among Devils players for hits per 60 minutes during the playoffs.
Since debuting in 2018-19, Bastian has accumulated 68 points in 276 regular-season games, spending most of his career with New Jersey but also appearing for the Seattle Kraken following the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft.
Stars General Manager Jim Nill said in a news release about the signing that Bastian will “add forward depth and a physical presence” to the roster, noting that both of these skills will be vital for their success next year.
“We’re looking forward to watching him take the next step of his career with the Stars and are excited to welcome him to Dallas.”
For the Stars, Bastian is expected to compete for a spot on the fourth line.
This addition comes as Dallas seeks a competitive edge and added physicality in a lineup known more for speed and scoring.
Last season, Dallas ranked second-to-last in total hits with just 1,245, beating out only the Edmonton Oilers in this category.
Although Dallas does not need to become one of the hardest-hitting teams in the NHL next season, additional physicality should help this team compete against all different styles of opponents in the postseason.