Top 50 Dallas Stars
Entering the National Hockey League in the first wave of expansion in 1967, the Dallas Stars were originally the Minnesota North Stars, bringing the professional game to what is arguably the most hockey-rich state in the United States.
The Minnesota North Stars would struggle in the same way as other National Hockey League expansion teams, but in 1981, they would make the Stanley Cup playoffs despite having a subpar record. They would again appear in the Finals in 1991 as the underdogs and would lose, although they would remain very popular in their state.
Despite the North Stars being in Minnesota, the economics did not work, and the franchise would relocate south to Texas. Now named the Dallas Stars, the franchise would win its first and to date only Stanley Cup in 1999. Although hockey did not seem right in Texas, the Stars would become bona fide draws in the region.
Note: Hockey lists are based on an amalgamation of tenure, traditional statistics, advanced statistics, playoff statistics, and postseason accolades.
This list is up to the end of the 2024-25 Season.
While Steve Payne may not have been the most elite forward in Minnesota North Stars history, he was one of the more clutch performers in the team's lore. Payne would have six consecutive 50 Point seasons, where he would also post a pair of All-Star seasons. He would represent Minnesota…
All-Rookie player in 2018-19, Finnish Defenseman, Miro Heiskanen, is living up to the hype that a Third Overall Pick should be. Heiskanen, who has played five years for Dallas to date, has managed to score at least 30 Points in four of them, and had it not been for the…
A tough and athletic Defenseman, Trevor Daley played over 700 Games with the Dallas Stars, providing toughness and leadership —everything you want in a hockey player. Daley was never an All-Star caliber player, but his overall play and lengthy tenure warrant his place on this list.
Prior to joining the Minnesota North Stars, Gilles Meloche lost a significant number of games as the number one Goalie for the California Golden Seals (later relocated to Cleveland as the Barons). This was not a testament to Meloche’s ineffectiveness; instead, he played for some bad teams and was not…
In terms of tenure, Richard Matvichuk is near the top of the list. The Defenceman is one of the few players who have had over 700 Games for the Dallas Stars (733). Maavichuk was not known for his offensive style, but his stay-at-home defensive style was sound and helped the…
A high Second Round Pick in 2017, California’s Jason Robertson has shown to be one of the steals in that draft. Robertson first made it to the Stars as a late call-up in 2019/20, and though he did not play, he absorbed knowledge during the Stars’ playoff run. He was…
Cesare Manigo may not have been an elite Goalie in the National Hockey League, but he was a workhorse backstop who became successful in the expansion era. Maniago may not have brought the Minnesota North Stars to the Finals, but his defensive skill brought them closer to the Holy Grail…
Is this rank too high or too low? If you think it is too high, it may be because you are pointing out that Brett Hull was only with the Dallas Stars for three seasons, a relatively short period compared to many on this list. While he was an All-Star…
From Finland, Esa Lindell was a Third Round pick in 2012, and the Defenseman would make his way to the United States two years later. After two years in the AHL, Lindell made it to the Dallas Stars, where he remains today. A big man at over 6'3”, Lindell rarely draws…
While Danny Grant was a member of the Montreal Canadians' 1968 Stanley Cup Championship team, he was still considered a rookie when he was traded the following off-season to the North Stars. This is notable as he would become the Calder Trophy winner in the 1968-69 Season.
A two-time Olympian with Sweden, Loui Eriksson spent his first seven years in the NHL with the Stars. From 2009-10 to 2011-12, Eriksson would score 70 Points while still providing adequate defense. An All-Star in 2011, he would also finish in the top five in Lady Byng voting twice.
Brad Maxwell was known for his powerful shot and playmaking ability, which allowed him to become a potent force on the offensive side of the rink. An All Star in 1984, Maxwell had four seasons for Minnesota where he exceeded 35 Points, his highest being a 74 Point campaign in…
There was nothing flashy about Curt Giles' game, but NHL teams need players who are defensive stalwarts, a role he played very well.
The Dallas Stars selected Finnish Left Wing, Roope Hintz in the Second Round of the 2015 Draft, and two years later, he left Scandinavia for the Stars. After a year in the AHL, he made the Dallas roster and was a full-time NHL player by 2019/20. Hintz gradually improved his…
Stephane Robidas was an offensive stud as a junior hockey player but as a professional his blueline game blossomed; especially with the Dallas Stars. Robidas would hone a balanced game in Texas and is one of the few players of the organization to play in over 700 Games.
Tim Young spent the majority of his professional career with the Minnesota North Stars, where he averaged a very good .88 Points per Game. In his second season, Young was named an All-Star and finished the season with 95 Points, which was good enough for 5th in the NHL. While…
J.P. Parise was one of the many beneficiaries of the 1967 Expansion, and in his late 20s would find a solid footing as a top forward for the Minnesota North Stars. Parise would score 70 Points in two different seasons, the first of which (1969-70) would see him finish seventh…
While somewhat injury-prone, Fred Barrett found a way to play 745 Games in the National Hockey League (730 of which were with the North Stars). Barrett was an energetic force on the ice and in the locker room, making him an asset to the team despite his relatively low production…
In 2019, Joe Pavelski arrived as a Free Agent after spending 13 seasons in a San Jose Sharks uniform. It was expected that the veteran would slow down, and in his first season, he scored only 31 Points in 67 Games, but in the playoffs, he became the first Star…
Dennis Hextall was only with the Minnesota North Stars for four and a half seasons, but the plucky, undersized forward put up his best career numbers while there.