Stars GM Jim Nill Provides Injury Updates on Key Players

Rantanen closest to return, while timelines for Hintz and Faksa remain uncertain

Mar. 22, 2026 at 11:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill offered updates on the status of several key injured players, including Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz, and Radek Faksa. Rantanen is the closest to returning and may play in one of the team's upcoming games on their four-game road trip. Hintz's return is targeted for the start of the playoffs or the last week of the regular season, while Faksa's unique injury has an unclear timeline for recovery.

Why it matters

The Stars have been playing well lately, and getting these injured players back could provide a significant boost as the team pushes for a playoff spot and prepares for the postseason. Their returns could be crucial to the Stars' success down the stretch.

The details

According to Nill, Rantanen is skating with the team and will travel with them on their upcoming road trip, with the possibility of him returning to game action as early as next week. Hintz has not yet resumed skating, but the team is targeting his return for the start of the playoffs or the final week of the regular season. Faksa is dealing with a "unique injury" with no clear timeline for his recovery, though the team is hopeful he may be able to return at some point during the first round of the playoffs.

  • Rantanen could return as early as next week, potentially playing in the Stars' back-to-back games against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers.
  • Hintz is targeting a return for the start of the playoffs or the last week of the regular season in mid-April.
  • Faksa's return timeline is unclear, but the team is hoping he may be able to play at some point during the first round of the playoffs.

The players

Mikko Rantanen

A star forward for the Dallas Stars who has been out since suffering a lower-body injury while playing for Finland in the Olympics.

Roope Hintz

A forward for the Dallas Stars who has been out since exiting the team's March 6 game against the Avalanche.

Radek Faksa

A forward for the Dallas Stars who suffered an upper-body injury while playing for Czechia in the Winter Olympics.

Jim Nill

The general manager of the Dallas Stars.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The plan is, hopefully, to get him in maybe one of those games towards the end of the trip.”

— Jim Nill, General Manager

“We'll wait to see where it goes. But we're hoping maybe that first round sometime along the way.”

— Jim Nill, General Manager

What’s next

The Stars need just one point from Sunday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights to clinch a playoff spot, and the potential returns of Rantanen, Hintz, and Faksa could provide a significant boost as the team prepares for the postseason.

The takeaway

The Stars have been playing well despite the absence of several key players due to injury, and getting those players back could be crucial to the team's success in the playoffs. The timelines for their returns vary, but the team is hopeful they will be able to contribute at some point in the first round or later in the postseason.