39 Joel Hanley D

Stars' Joel Hanley: Misses season finale due to injury

Hanley is expected to be back to 100 percent well ahead of next season's training camp, so this injury shouldn't affect his availability for the start of the 2019-20 campaign. Either way, the 27-year-old blueliner has only appeared in 38 NHL contests over the past four years, and he'll continue to be used sparingly by the big club going forward, so there's no reason for fantasy owners to keep tabs on his status.

Stars' Joel Hanley: Not expected to play

Stars head coach Jim Montgomery is expected to use the same lineup for Game 7 that he deployed for Game 6, which means Hanley will remain sidelined for a third consecutive contest. If Dallas is able to pull off the upset on the road Tuesday, the 27-year-old blueliner may get an opportunity to slot back into the lineup at some point during the Western Conference finals.

Stars' Joel Hanley: Could play Tuesday

Hanley will travel with the team -- unlike teammate Jamie Oleksiak (lower body) -- and could be an option on the blue line. Even if fully fit, coach Jim Montgomery could decide to hold Hanley in reserve in favor of Taylor Fedun. At this point, the 27-year-old Hanley should be considered a game-time decision leading up to Game 7.

Stars' Joel Hanley: Set to miss Game 6

Hanley has suited up in just one of eight possible playoff games, so this news doesn't come as a surprise. It's unclear when the 27-year-old would be ready for game action, but it doesn't seem like the team is in a hurry to rush him back into the lineup. Head coach Jim Montgomery said either Taylor Fedun (undisclosed), Dillon Heatherington or Gavin Bayreuther would take the last defenseman spot for Sunday's clash.

Stars' Joel Hanley: Will miss Friday's Game 5

Hanley and Jamie Oleksiak (lower body) were both absent from Friday's morning skate, likely paving the way for Taylor Fedun to enter the lineup on the blue line. According to Shapiro, Stars coach Jim Montgomery wouldn't rule out the possibility of deploying Dillon Heatherington or Gavin Bayreuther in that sixth defense spot over Fedun. Hanley's injury comes at an unfortunate time after Oleksiak's lower-body issue paved the way for the 27-year-old defenseman to make his postseason debut in Wednesday's Game 4.