The Dallas Stars returned to practice after the Olympic break with mixed news on their lineup. Superstar Mikko Rantanen will miss at least two weeks with a lower-body injury, while Roope Hintz is dealing with an illness and is not expected to play immediately. Both forwards were part of Finland’s Olympic bronze medal run, and their absences leave gaps in Dallas’ top lines.

There is encouraging news as well. Radek Faksa is listed as probable for the upcoming game, giving the Stars a boost in their bottom six. Defense prospect Lian Bichsel is reportedly healthy and could be activated from long-term injured reserve soon. Thomas Harley, who earned a silver medal at the Olympics, is also healthy and could return to the lineup shortly.

These updates come at a crucial time as the Stars navigate the post-Olympic stretch and aim to maintain momentum in the Western Conference. Depth players will be asked to step up while the team waits for its stars to return.

Stars fans, how worried are you about Rantanen and Hintz being out, and who do you expect to carry the team in their absence? Are Faksa, Bichsel, and Harley enough to stabilize the lineup in the short term?