The Mason Marchment rumor mill is heating up again, and this time, it’s pointing back toward Dallas. The veteran winger is in the final year of a four-year, $18 million deal, carrying a $4.5 million cap hit. Through 23 games this season, he’s posted 11 points while continuing to play his signature physical, middle-six role - the kind of gritty, playoff-ready presence that doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet, but coaches and GMs love when the games start to really matter.
On a recent episode of The Sheet, NHL insiders Jason Gregor and Jeff Marek floated the idea of a Marchment reunion in Dallas - and not just as a pipe dream. Gregor noted that if the Seattle Kraken, Marchment’s current team, begin to slide out of the playoff race, the Stars could be one of the first teams to pick up the phone.
“I’m not going to be shocked if Dallas tries to find a way to bring Mason Marchment back,” Gregor said. “He’s a pest, man. He’s got some skill, he’s physical, and he’ll show up in the playoffs.”
That last point is key. Marchment plays with a playoff edge - the kind of player who finishes checks, agitates opponents, and chips in just enough offense to make a difference.
He’s not flashy, but he’s effective. And in a postseason series, that kind of player can tilt the ice when the margins get razor-thin.
Gregor added that if Seattle retained half of Marchment’s salary in a trade, a $2 million cap hit would be a bargain for a team like Dallas - or really, any contender looking to bolster its bottom six.
Marek echoed that sentiment and pointed out that Marchment fits the mold of the players Stars GM Jim Nill tends to target: tough, dependable forwards who can kill penalties, eat up minutes, and bring a physical presence without becoming a liability. That’s been a consistent theme in Nill’s roster construction - especially as Dallas has evolved into a deep, defensively responsible team with serious postseason aspirations.
“He’s the kind of player Nill’s been looking for,” Marek said. “So it wouldn’t surprise me if they try to bring Marchment back - or someone like him.”
That’s not just idle speculation. The Stars are in a position where a move like this could make a lot of sense.
At 17-5-4, they’ve been one of the West’s most consistent teams this season. The top of their lineup is humming, their defense is structured, and Jake Oettinger remains a rock in goal.
But when it comes to playoff depth - especially in the bottom six - there’s always room to tighten the screws. Marchment could be that guy.
On the other side of this equation is Seattle. At 11-7-6, the Kraken are hanging around the playoff bubble but have struggled to generate consistent offense and have had trouble on special teams. If their season starts to trend downward, they may look to shake things up - and moving a veteran like Marchment could help them open up cap space or add future assets.
So for now, it’s a waiting game. But if Seattle starts slipping in the standings, don’t be surprised if Dallas - or another contender - makes a move. Marchment brings a very specific brand of playoff-ready hockey, and that kind of player tends to draw a lot of interest when the calendar flips to spring.