• Playing days likely over
    Pavelski said Tuesday that he won't play in 2024-25 and is likely to bring an end to his 18-year NHL career, Ryan S. Clark of ESPN.com reports. "This is it for me," Pavelski said.

    Advice: While Pavelski didn't say outright that he was retiring from professional hockey, he acknowledged in his postseason exit interviews that he had known for a while that the 2023-24 season would be his last in the NHL. The second-oldest player in the NHL this past season, Pavelski remained a productive source of offense for Dallas, notching 27 goals and 40 assists while playing in all 82 contests. Before joining Dallas as a free agent in 2019, Pavelski served as a longtime captain for San Jose and represented the club in two All-Star Games. He added two more All-Star appearances to his ledger during his five seasons in Dallas and finishes his career with 476 goals and 592 assists over 1,332 regular-season games. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 9:36 pm
     
  • Not practicing Saturday
    Wheeler (undisclosed) is not at Saturday's morning skate ahead of Game 6 against Florida, Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today reports.

    Advice: According to a source, Wheeler is banged up, leaving his status unclear for Saturday's must-win contest. He has suited up in only one game since Feb. 15 because of a leg injury. Wheeler logged just 9:18 of ice time in Game 4 versus the Panthers on Tuesday before sitting out Thursday's Game 5. Anton Blidh has been filling in for Wheeler during Saturday's practice, but the 29-year-old Blidh probably won't be in the lineup even if Wheeler is unavailable. Rotowire.com Saturday, 8:32 am
     
  • Plucks apple Friday
    Stankoven logged an assist and three shots on goal in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Oilers in Game 5.

    Advice: Stankoven has just two helpers over five contests in the Western Conference Finals after picking up four points in the second round. The 21-year-old forward is at eight points, 33 shots on net, 21 hits, 17 blocked shots and a plus-6 rating over 18 playoff outings. He'll likely continue to see middle-six minutes as the Stars look to keep their season alive in Game 6 on Sunday. Rotowire.com Friday, 9:00 pm
  • Tips in lone goal in loss
    Johnston scored a goal on two shots in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Oilers in Game 5.

    Advice: Johnston has scored in three straight games, but the Stars have just three tallies over their last two contests. The 21-year-old is up to 10 goals, six assists, 55 shots on net, 24 hits and a plus-4 rating through 18 playoff appearances. Johnston's steady offense has made him a reliable option in fantasy in this breakout campaign. Rotowire.com Friday, 8:56 pm
     
  • Recovering well from surgery
    O'Connor (hip surgery) is expected to be ready for the start of training camp, according to Corey Masisak of The Denver Post.

    Advice: O'Connor underwent surgery in March and missed the rest of the season. O'Connor had 13 goals and 25 points in 57 appearances for the Avalanche, giving them secondary scoring from an unexpected source, as his previous career high was nine goals in 82 games during the 2022-23 campaign. Look for O'Connor to compete for a spot on the third line in 2024-25. Rotowire.com Thursday, 11:40 am
  • Returns to lineup Tuesday
    Wheeler was back in action for Game 4 against the Panthers on Tuesday, recording four hits, two blocks and two PIM in 9:18 of ice time.

    Advice: Wheeler was in the lineup for the first time since Feb. 15 versus Montreal, a stretch of 41 games on the shelf due to his leg injury. Even with the veteran cleared to play, he may still have to serve as a healthy scratch periodically as he eases his way back to 100 percent, perhaps including Game 5 against Florida on Thursday. Rotowire.com Thursday, 8:08 am
     
  • Scores early in loss
    Johnston scored a goal on two shots, added two hits and went minus-2 in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Oilers in Game 4.

    Advice: Johnston scored for the second game in a row, but instead of being part of a comeback, it was the opening goal in a loss. The center has two goals and two assists over his last three contests, giving him 15 points, 53 shots on net, 23 hits and a plus-3 rating through 17 playoff outings. Johnston has shuffled around the lineup at times this postseason, but he's often been at or near the top of the ice time list among Stars forwards. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 10:44 pm