Dallas Stars ink Nathan Bastian to one-year, $775K contract for 2025-26 NHL season

The Dallas Stars have added size and grit to their forward group, signing Nathan Bastian to a one-year, one-way contract worth $775,000 for the 2025-26 NHL season. Stars general manager Jim Nill said the 27-year-old brings valuable depth and physical presence to the roster, providing versatility in the bottom six as the team gears up for another playoff push.

Dallas Stars ink Nathan Bastian to bolster forward depth and physical play in 2025-26 NHL season

Bastian, a former second-round pick of the New Jersey Devils in 2016, has carved out his NHL career as a reliable depth forward known for his physical style. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 205 pounds, he adds size to the Stars’ forward corps while also bringing penalty-killing experience. Nill emphasized Bastian’s ability to contribute in a supporting role, noting that his presence will complement Dallas’ skill-heavy top lines.The signing marks only the second franchise change for Bastian. He began his career with the Devils before being claimed by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. Just months later, New Jersey reacquired him via waivers, where he played the past three seasons.

Nathan Bastian’s NHL career so far and expectations with the Dallas Stars in 2025-26 season

Despite a productive junior career with the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads, Bastian has been primarily utilized in a checking role at the NHL level.

Last season, injuries, including a jaw ailment limited him to 59 games, during which he recorded four goals and six assists for 10 points, his lowest total since the shortened 2020-21 campaign. He also appeared in all five of New Jersey’s playoff games, registering one assist.Over 276 regular-season NHL games, Bastian has tallied 33 goals and 35 assists for 68 points, with an additional goal and assist in 17 postseason appearances.

In Dallas, he’s expected to bring energy, forechecking pressure, and toughness to a lineup aiming for sustained playoff contention. His one-year deal offers both sides flexibility, giving Bastian a chance to re-establish his value while providing the Stars with a low-risk depth upgrade.By signing Nathan Bastian, the Dallas Stars have added a dependable, physical forward who can strengthen their depth for the 2025-26 campaign. While not a top-line scorer, his experience, size, and defensive reliability make him a strategic fit for the team’s bottom six as they aim to remain competitive in the Western Conference.Also Read: Evander Kane celebrates Leon Draisaitl and Celeste Desjardins’ wedding in style with Edmonton Oilers teammates