Dallas Stars Finalized Opening Night Roster
The team set its roster with 12 forwards and seven defensemen following key personnel decisions.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Hockey
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The Dallas Stars have finalized their opening night roster for the 2026-27 season. The final lineup consists of 12 forwards and seven defensemen.
Why it matters
The roster moves were driven by a tight salary cap situation, forcing the club to balance its depth. Consequently, the team opted to carry Kyle Capobianco as an additional defenseman over extra forward depth.
The finalized roster includes 12 forwards and seven defensemen. This adjustment follows the departure of depth players who previously accounted for 153 combined games for the franchise.
The players
Dallas Stars
This professional ice hockey team competes in the Central Division of the NHL's Western Conference.
Texas Stars
The team serves as the primary American Hockey League affiliate for the Dallas organization.
Colin Blackwell
The 33-year-old forward has recorded 32 total points in 133 appearances for the Dallas franchise.
Arttu Hyry
The forward previously appeared in 20 games for Dallas, recording three goals and two assists.
Kyle Capobianco
The defenseman earned a roster spot as the team opted to prioritize defensive depth for the opening night lineup.
The details
To accommodate salary cap constraints, the organization placed veteran forward Colin Blackwell on waivers before assigning him to the Texas Stars. Fellow forward Arttu Hyry was also loaned to the organization's AHL affiliate in Cedar Park.
Timeline
September 27, 2026: The team placed Colin Blackwell on waivers.
September 28, 2026: The organization officially announced its final roster moves.
The Big Picture
This roster decision reflects the restrictive nature of the NHL salary cap ceiling. Teams often must sacrifice depth at specific positions to maintain fiscal compliance while managing their overall personnel budget.
Colin Blackwell is expected to be recalled to the NHL roster if the team identifies a need for additional forward production. Fantasy owners and fans should note that Arttu Hyry and Blackwell are now developing their minutes with the Texas Stars in the AHL.
The takeaway
Roster construction in the NHL often requires difficult personnel decisions to balance immediate cap requirements with long-term depth. Fans should monitor waiver wire activity as an indicator of how the team intends to shuffle players throughout the season.
Further reading
For more information on team changes, visit Dallas Hockey.
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