We have now entered my final thots and we enter the top 5. Ultimately, Junya's team should have been way earlier but he was forgotten, but that’s ok because everything happens for a reason and maybe he was meant to be number 5.

The Dallas Stars have had a very strong year.

They have an 46-23-10 record, good for 4th in the Central Division. Their powerplay was lethal, ranking 1st overall at an incredible 26.27%, and they were also a dangerous offensive team, finishing 3rd in Goals For at 3.62 goals per game.

Defensively, they were solid but not elite — their Goals Against sat at 2.90 (17th), showing that while they could score at will, they sometimes got into shootouts and needed to tighten up a bit. Their penalty kill was a mild weakness (81.13%, 18th), but still respectable enough not to sink them.

Overall:
This is a true high-flying offense-first team that could outscore almost anyone on a nightly basis. However, if they want to be a championship favorite, slightly improving their defensive structure or goaltending depth would make them even scarier. Elite offense, good enough defense — a team built to contend.

Forwards
The forward group is extremely deep and dangerous:

• Steven Stamkos, Elias Lindholm, and Mark Scheifele form an elite center spine, each capable of 60-80 points.
• Artemi Panarin, Jesper Bratt, William Nylander, and Tyler Toffoli provide top-end scoring wingers with major upside.
• Nicholas Paul, Jimmy Vesey, and Michael Amadio are solid depth pieces who can move up the lineup if needed.
• Ryan Carpenter and Brandon Duhaime add grit and energy to the bottom six.

Grade: A+
This is one of the deepest and most balanced forward cores in the league. You have both star power and depth scoring.

Defensemen
The defense group is strong but aging:

• Brett Pesce, Hampus Lindholm, Cam Fowler, and Alec Martinez provide a very stable, veteran blueline.
• Ian Cole and Brendan Smith offer depth and experience, although they are clearly bottom-pair options.

Grade: B+
A solid defensive group but slightly aging and could be vulnerable to injuries or decline soon. A younger top-four defender would help future-proof the team.

Goalies
The goaltending is elite:

• Igor Shesterkin is arguably the best goalie in the league, capable of stealing games on his own.
• Justus Annunen is a solid young backup with room to grow, providing important insurance.

Grade: A
With Shesterkin leading the way, you're in excellent shape in net. Annunen developing more would be a bonus.

Prospects
The prospect pool is thin:

• Zach Nehring, Cole Knuble, Matthew Perkins, Chase Cheslock, Thomas Caron, and Zach Uens are your main names.
• Of these, only Zach Nehring and Cole Knuble have moderate upside. The rest project more as depth or longshots.

Grade: D+
You lack top-end prospects to replace aging veterans in the next 2-3 years. This is your biggest organizational weakness.

Draft Picks
You own your 2025 Picks.
Not a lot of extra draft capital right now, so it's important that you hit on upcoming picks to replenish the pipeline.

Overall Outlook
This is a WIN-NOW team. Your forwards and goaltending are absolutely elite, capable of winning you a championship immediately. However, the defense is aging and the prospect pool is thin, so a careful balance will be needed between pushing all-in and slowly retooling.

Final Grade: A-
You are dangerous now but need to start planning for the next generation to maintain success long-term.

#ThotTips

1. Reinforce Your Defense with Youth
Your defense is good now but relies heavily on older players like Alec Martinez, Ian Cole, Brendan Smith, and Cam Fowler. If you want to stay competitive beyond next season:

• Target young NHL defensemen (ages 23-26) via trade using your 2025 pick or depth forwards.
• Examples: players like K'Andre Miller, Mattias Samuelsson, Bowen Byram, or similar.
• Goal: Future-proof your blue line while still keeping the window open.

Summary: Start the transition now before your top-4 ages out all at once.

2. Replenish Your Prospect Pool
Your current pipeline is thin and doesn’t have a future star coming up. To avoid a cliff in 2-3 years:

• Trade a veteran depth forward (ex: Jimmy Vesey, Michael Amadio) for extra 2025 2nd or 3rd round picks.
• Draft a high-upside player instead of going safe at your next draft.
• If possible, buy low on a recent 1st-round bust (players still young but struggling in NHL).

Summary: You don’t need many prospects – but you desperately need 1-2 more high-ceiling ones.

3. Carefully Manage Cap and Age Curve
Your team is loaded with high-salaried veterans (Panarin, Stamkos, Nylander, Scheifele, etc.). You can compete another 1-2 years easily, but you must be smart:

• Don’t extend older players long-term (3+ years) unless absolutely necessary.
• Prioritize signing younger middle-six players in free agency.
• Be ready to sell high next year on someone like Toffoli, Duhaime, or Lindholm if your team underperforms.

Summary: Milk your core now, but have exit plans if the team shows signs of decline.

Extra Tip:
You already have the best goalie (Shesterkin) and elite scoring depth.
If you add one good younger defenseman and one high-end prospect, this could easily extend your competitive window from 2 years to 4-5 years.

Junya, you will only be relevant for a few more seasons; you better capitalize now because Bryce does not have a team to gift you with. You have salvaged your future but have the fire power to win and win big. Listen to the advice we have given.

Written by your best friend, yours truly, Greg.