Here are four reasons for optimism entering this season:
1. Plenty of offense
The Stars led the NHL with 265 goals last season. Top linemates Jamie Benn, second in the League with 89 points (41 goals, 48 assists), and Tyler Seguin, 10th in the NHL with 33 goals, combined for 74 goals, nearly one-third of Dallas' total.
"We're very fortunate [to have Benn and Seguin]," Nill said. "We have two of the elite players in today's game. Jamie is turning into probably one of the most complete players in the game. [Tyler] is probably one of the best goal-scorers in the game."
Center Jason Spezza was Dallas' third-leading scorer with 63 points (33 goals, 30 assists), and forward Patrick Sharp scored 20 goals in his first season with the Stars after nine-plus seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Dallas had six players with 30 or more assists last season, led by Benn and defenseman John Klingberg, who each had 48. Klingberg had 58 points last season, fifth among NHL defensemen.
2. More playoff experience
Losing a Game 7 on home ice remains a bitter experience, but Nill said he believes the experience gained should pay dividends.
"It's just part of the process," Nill said. "Until you're into a Game 7 in overtime and everything's on the line, until you understand that, you have to live it, and then you want to go back at it again."
The Stars had six players make his playoff debut, including centers Radek Faksa and Mattias Janmark, and defensemen Stephen Johns and Klingberg, who each had significant ice time.
"They've got to go through these growing pains," Nill said. "The NHL is as tight as any league in the world. It's a tough league to win in."