Stars Matched NHL Leaders in ESPN Top 100
The Dallas roster earned six spots on the latest player rankings, tying the Lightning and Canadiens for the league high.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Hockey
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The Dallas Stars have placed six players on ESPN's top 100 rankings for the 2026-27 season, tying them with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens for the most in the NHL. This recognition reflects the projected talent level of the current Dallas roster as they look to make a deep run this season.
Why it matters
The high volume of Stars players on the list highlights the depth of the team's core, signaling high expectations from analysts for the club's performance. As the team seeks to build momentum after an uneven start, individual accolades underscore the projected strength of their lineup.
Dallas Stars players ranked include Jason Robertson at 20th, Wyatt Johnston at 32nd, Miro Heiskanen at 37th, Jake Oettinger at 64th, and Thomas Harley at 76th. These rankings follow Oettinger recording his 17th career shutout on October 5.
The players
Jason Robertson
He is a top-ranked forward for the Dallas Stars who was positioned 20th in the latest ESPN projections.
Jake Oettinger
He is the starting goaltender for the Dallas Stars who recently earned his 17th career shutout.
Wyatt Johnston
He is a rising talent for the Stars organization who secured the 32nd spot on the ESPN list.
Miro Heiskanen
He is a key defenseman for Dallas who is ranked 37th among NHL players.
Thomas Harley
He is a defender for the Stars who was included in the top 100 list at rank 76.
The details
ESPN staff members compiled the list based on projections for the 2026-27 season, featuring a total of 100 players across the league. Despite the high concentration of talent, the Stars have secured only one win in their first three games of the season.
Timeline
Jake Oettinger recorded his 17th career shutout on October 5, 2026.
ESPN released the top 100 player projections on October 6, 2026.
Dallas plays the Sabres in Buffalo on October 8, 2026.
The Big Picture
The team's strong representation in the ESPN NHL top 100 rankings validates the organization's long-term strategy of prioritizing a deep, talent-heavy roster. This concentration of elite players positions the Stars as a primary contender within the competitive Western Conference.
With only one win in their first three games, the Stars' high individual rankings contrast with their immediate need to improve their team record. Readers tracking fantasy rosters should monitor these six players as they remain central to the team's potential rebound during upcoming matchups.
The takeaway
The presence of six Stars in the top 100 reflects high expectations that have yet to fully translate to the team's early season record. Fans can expect these star players to be the focal point of the offense and defense as the squad aims to improve their win-loss ratio in the coming weeks.
What happens next
The Dallas Stars are scheduled to play against the Buffalo Sabres on October 8, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the Stars and league performance, check out our Hockey section.
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