The Dallas Stars added one final piece to shore up their forward depth.
On Saturday morning, the team announced it had signed Nathan Bastian to a one-year, one-way contract. Bastian’s deal is worth the league minimum: $775,000.
“Nathan will add forward depth and a physical presence to our lineup, both of which will be valuable to our organization,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said in a statement. “We’re looking forward to watching him take the next step of his career with the Stars and are excited to welcome him to Dallas.”
Bastian has spent the majority of his professional career with the New Jersey Devils. The forward appeared in 59 regular-season games for the Devils last year, posting 10 points (four goals, six assists).
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Bastian has appeared in 276 regular-season games throughout his NHL career. He has posted 68 points (33 goals, 35 assists) in that span.
The Stars will be the third NHL team Bastian suits up for. He previously spent a brief stint with the Seattle Kraken after being selected by the squad in the 2021 NHL expansion draft. Seattle waived him after he appeared in 12 games during the 2021-22 season. Bastian quickly found his way back to New Jersey after that stint.
New Jersey originally selected Bastian in the second round of the 2016 NHL entry draft.
He is known for playing a more physical game and could be a piece that helps the Stars transition to that physical style of play new head coach Glen Gulutzan hopes to see.
Bastian is now the 13th forward on the Stars’ roster, effectively completing that unit and eliminating the need for competition in camp for that last forward spot. Nill brought in Bastian and former Stars forward Radek Faksa this offseason as the new pieces in that room.
The primary competition in training camp, which begins Sept. 17, will be for Dallas’ seventh defenseman spot with Alexander Petrovic, Kyle Capobianco and Vladislav Kolyachonok in the mix.
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