UFA Nathan Bastian Moves On From the Devils, Signing With Central Division Team

Physical fourth-liner Nathan Bastian has moved on from the New Jersey Devils, with the unrestricted free agent forward signing a one-year deal with the Dallas Stars, worth the minimum $775,000.

We have signed Nathan Bastian to a one-year contract through the 2025-26 season.

Welcome to #TexasHockey, Nathan! 🤠@Shift4 | #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/IgCpl7vR5W
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) August 9, 2025

Selected by New Jersey in the second round (41st overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, the 27-year-old Bastian has spent all but 12 contests of his 276-game career with the Devils. The Kraken selected him in the expansion draft in 2021, but he was soon re-acquired by New Jersey.

In six NHL seasons, he has compiled a total of 68 points, 750 hits and 190 penalty minutes in an average of 11:34 of ice time per night. He uses his 6'4", 205-pound imposing frame to his advantage, and he has the fourth-most hits of all players taken in his 2016 draft class, behind only Charlie McAvoy, Matthew Tkachuk and Luke Kunin.

Bastian had 10 points in 59 games with 138 hits last season for New Jersey.

“Nathan will add forward depth and a physical presence to our lineup, both of which will be valuable to our organization,” said Stars GM Jim Nill. “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.”