Chase Wheatcroft – McKeen's Hockey

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #23 DALLAS STARS – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Thu, 22 May 2025 18:48:51 +0000

ST. PAUL, MN - APRIL 06: Dallas Stars defenseman Lian Bichsel (6) looks on during the second period of the NHL game between the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild on April 6th, 2025, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire)

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Dallas 25 Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – DALLAS STARS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #17

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Derek Neumeier — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 18:00:42 +0000

_{DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 05: Dallas Stars Center Mavrik Bourque (22) passes the puck during the game between the Dallas Stars and the St. Louis Blues on October 5, 2023 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 17th (Previous Rank - 10th)
GM: Jim Nill Hired: April 2013
COACH: Peter DeBoer Hired: June 2022

The Dallas Stars have consistently been praised for their drafting ability, and for good reason. Not only has their track record of hitting on picks held up, but they also manage to keep the team competitive while retaining first-round picks. It appears that GM Jim Nill follows a fire safe strategy of sticking with the high probability draft picks, while leveraging the rest. Since his hiring in 2013, Nill has only missed the first round once (in 2023) and has now carved out quite the significant list of “hits”.

Those first and second-round picks have now formed the backbone of the Stars' high-end and relatively young core, highlighted by the incredible haul in 2017 of Miro Heiskanen, Jake Oettinger, and Jason Robertson. They are now being complemented by more recent finds, including Wyatt Johnston (2021 first round) and Logan Stankoven (2021 second round), as well as Thomas Harley (2019 first round), who enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2023-24. Don’t forget about 2015 second-rounder Roope Hintz, who has also blossomed into a well-versed heavy hitter on this team’s top six installment.

Logan Stankoven, currently ranked as McKeen’s seventh overall prospect, hasn’t technically graduated yet but is expected to make the jump out of training camp full-time. Fresh off of a Rookie of the Year-worthy campaign in the AHL, scoring 57 points in 47 games, Stankoven said goodbye to his minor league career with a strong showing during the final regular season stretch and Conference Final run.

Beyond Stankoven, the Stars' top prospect group includes Mavrik Bourque (34th), who has transitioned to the AHL seamlessly, firing at nearly a point-per-game pace with 129 points in 147 games for the Texas Stars. On defence, Lian Bichsel (ranked 76th) and Christian Kyrou (ranked 170th) are developing well and look set to follow in Thomas Harley’s footsteps as key pieces of the Stars’ backend over the next few seasons.

With a young core, and a few more midrange-pedigree names on the way, the window looks wide open for the Stars to remain competitive for the foreseeable future.

Dallas Stars Top-15 Prospects

1. Logan Stankoven

From the first few shifts of his very first NHL game, it was abundantly obvious that Stankoven was never going back to the AHL ever again. As exceedingly rare as it is to see someone of his size step into the sport’s best league and immediately start making an impact, those who have closely followed “Stank” over the past few seasons weren’t surprised one bit, because there haven’t been any challenges that he’s faced where he hasn’t been fit for the task. He’s a Tasmanian Devil who never quits on plays or takes a shift off, but he combines that energy with elite hockey sense and play tracking, making him a delightfully chaotic entity who is constantly disrupting enemy possessions and creating bang-bang scoring chances. He’s a truly special kind of player, and is already quite unique from everyone else in the entire NHL.

2. Mavrik Bourque

Bourque’s full-time arrival in the NHL was delayed, understandably, by his AHL teammate Stankoven grabbing a spot within the deep Dallas forward corps first. He won’t have to wait long, however, because he’s already proven himself more than worthy of receiving that opportunity. And spending more time down on the farm with the Texas Stars allowed him to keep racking up points, which eventually led to him finishing with the distinction of being the league’s top scorer and thereby winning the corresponding John B. Sollenberger Trophy, which is one heck of a consolation prize. His game is built around blending high-end smarts, vision, playmaking ability, and character, and the fact that he is a center who looks casually comfortable in all three zones is delicious icing on the cake. How high his ceiling will reach as an NHLer will depend on how much more speed he can add to his game.

3. Lian Bichsel

In a prospect pool largely consisting of players who are on the smaller side, Bichsel stands out in a big way — literally. In fact, there aren’t many top prospects across the entire hockey world who are as physically imposing as the substantial Swiss. Making matters even more enticing, he is fully aware of how he can use his enormous size to his advantage, and clearly gets a vexatious kick out of inflicting severe punishment on opponents in ways that help his teams win games. He’s also a powerful and technically proficient skater, and once he gets some wind under his sails it can be jaw-dropping to watch him fly down the ice. His puck control and the decisions he makes with it are spotty at times, but they’re both improving nicely. It’s only a matter of time before he’s a force of nature at the NHL level.

4. Emil Hemming

The Stars said that they had Hemming higher on their draft list than where they picked him, and it's easy to understand why. His game is readily projectable to the NHL level, and he also shows occasional flashes that he can eventually become a high-end performer and difference-maker. He was dominant early on last year at the Finnish junior level, and while he didn't shine quite as much in the Liiga after getting called up full time, he still held his own and already looked like he belonged playing against men. He's a dangerous shooter, especially with his one-timer, and he can drive play forward with his physicality and straight-line speed. If he can't reach his ceiling as a scoring-line winger, his game is well-rounded enough that he should be able to find a spot or role elsewhere in the lineup.

5. Christian Kyrou

There’s no denying that Kyrou is a prospect with an enviable amount of pure skill, as evidenced by his ability to create points and highlight-reel plays during his OHL days. The challenge for him since then, however, has been adjusting his style of play in a way that is more conducive to success at the AHL level. His riverboat gambler ways of old, where he hung onto pucks for extended periods of time as he looked for ways to dance around opponents or make other fancy plays, simply don’t work as well within the structured confines of the pro leagues. He also doesn’t have the size, reach, or athleticism needed to readily help him clean up his own mistakes when they happen. The foundation of an NHL powerplay quarterback is still buried deep somewhere inside of him, but it might take an archaeologist’s patience and precision to unearth it.

6. Matej Blumel

Blumel didn’t get to see any action with the big club last season after a six-game cup of tea the year before, and getting inarguably bumped down the organization’s forward depth chart certainly has to sting, but producing a 30-goal season in the AHL as a 23-year-old is nothing to sneeze at. There will always be interest in players who have a knack for filling the back of the net, and he’s proven over the course of his young career so far, across different leagues and levels, that he’s one of those guys. The elusive part for him has been showing exactly what else he can do really well. Nothing else in his game grades out all that highly, which raises concerns about how he’d handle the workload of a full NHL season. His goal-scoring prowess can only buy him so much time if he doesn’t add something else notable with it.

7. Tristan Bertucci

It was a trying season for Bertucci, who was one of the few competent defensemen on a terrible Firebirds squad, and on top of that, also played through injury down the stretch. He was asked to do a lot of heavy lifting for his club, probably more than he was ready for. However, the Stars must have been impressed by how well he handled his challenging circumstances, because they signed him to his entry-level contract this March, a full season sooner than they needed to. The impressive tools that give him NHL potential - and led to Dallas using a 2nd-round pick on him - are still there: the reach, the fluid four-direction mobility, the smooth puck control in motion, and the vision in the offensive zone. If his difficult situation has wizened up some of the immature tendencies in his game, then it will have been worth it in the long run.

8. Antonio Stranges

The question about Stranges has always been whether or not he can become more than a one-trick-pony, and as we near the four-year mark of his draft day that question is still very much unanswered. In all fairness, his trick — the 10 & 2 or “mohawk” skating style — is pretty darn impressive, and there are still times where he can use it to make magic happen. The problem is that having to rely on it makes him more predictable, and predictable forwards are easier to defend. So, what else does he have to work with? His pucks skills can be pretty slick at times, and his wrist shot is sneakily dangerous. He blended these tools to flash more offensive pop in the OHL than has been seen so far in the AHL, so maybe there’s still more potential in here somewhere that can still be unlocked.

9. Ayrton Martino

It seems like the NCAA keeps partitioning further and further into the haves and the have-nots due to its loose recruitment rules, and that has to make things harder for prospects like Martino, who are plenty talented but don’t receive a ton of support around them. The good news for the Stars is that while Clarkson University might not be the best place for a prospect’s development, talent doesn’t usually just disappear if it isn’t nurtured in the most ideal of environments, and Martino sure has a lot of talent at his disposal. He is blazingly quick with both his hands and his feet, which allows him to create separation space for himself and then make complicated plays at his top speed. He’ll be heading back to college for his senior year, and once that’s wrapped up Dallas will surely be waiting with a contract and a pen.

10. Aram Minnetian

Minnetian is a sneakily good young blueliner. He doesn’t always get the attention or credit that he deserves because he doesn’t put up gaudy point totals or get crowds roaring by landing big hits. What he does do, however, is keep tight gaps against opposing forwards, retrieve pucks deep in his own end, evade oncoming forecheck pressure, and exit the defensive zone cleanly with possession by skating it out or passing it out. And he does all of those things with advanced precision and dependability. It’s not a coincidence that both the NTDP in 2022-23 and Boston College in 2023-24 were highly successful teams while using him as one of their go-to defenders. Minnetian will still need to find another gear in his game and evolve from being a good defender into a great defender to stand out enough to win an NHL roster spot, but things are moving in the right direction.

11. Kyle McDonald

McDonald is an interesting prospect because the strengths and weaknesses of his game are both so pronounced. First, the good: he is an excellent net-front presence. He's so big and strong that he can bully his way to the enemy crease. The bad is, well, almost everything else. His skating is slow and clunky, and he doesn't drive play. The only achievable NHL pathway for him is as a depth winger and powerplay specialist, but it’s a realistic possibility.

12. Chase Wheatcroft

Wheatcroft had a fantastic season in 2022-23, earning the contract that Dallas offered him as an undrafted free agent. However, the transition to the professional level wasn't immediately smooth. That said, during his WHL days he was a late bloomer who went through a bumpy development, so these kinds of trials aren't new to him. The key for him now will be to forge a clear identity as a two-way forward who can chip in work wherever his team needs it.

13. Justin Ertel

Ertel needed a big 2023-24 season to turn things around and earn his entry-level contract, and he delivered emphatically. He really leaned into his role on North Bay as a penalty killer, pest, and physical presence and got great results from it, especially during the playoffs. That’s an encouraging sign, because that kind of specialization, although not glamorous, is his best ticket to playing in the NHL one day.

14. Gavin White

After winning back-to-back OHL championships White had some wind under his sails coming into his first professional season. He handled the difficulty level of the AHL just fine when he played but got caught in a bit of a numbers game on the crowded Texas blueline and didn't always get to dress for games, usually through no fault of his own. He drives puck possession effectively using his feet, though it doesn't often result in producing points.

15. Connor Punnett

From his hits to his shots, everything that Punnett does is strong and heavy. And that's a good thing for him, because it set him apart from other young, undrafted defensemen so much that Dallas wanted to sign him as a free agent prospect. He's a tough customer who’s not afraid to stick up for his teammates, and that leadership trait was part of why Barrie named him their captain this season.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #10 Dallas Stars- Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Player Profiles - Derek Neumeier, Team Overview - Robert Howard — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 15:00:06 +0000

DALLAS, TX - APRIL 22: Dallas Stars center Logan Stankoven (11) reacts to a goal score during game one of the Western Conference First Round between the Dallas Stars and the Vegas Golden Knights on April 22, 2024 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire)

In over a decade as GM, Jim Nill has kept the franchise largely in contention, while retooling his roster to add surprisingly elite young talent throughout the line-up, despite not drafting particularly high. Nill has largely hung onto his picks, particularly his first rounders. That has netted him outstanding graduated prospects Wyatt Johnston and Thomas Harley. Johnston delivered an outstanding playoff, and Harley emerged as a potential top pairing offensive defenseman with a high ceiling. They will be joined by second round phenom, Logan Stankoven, who immediately made his presence felt in the NHL. Add them to three emerging superstars under 25-years of age in goaltender Jake Oettinger, Defenseman Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson. Oettinger and Heiskanen could be future award winners and are already among the best at their positions in the league. Robertson delivered 107 points a year ago and led the team in scoring this year. That is a core that will be a Stanley Cup threat for a long time alongside Roope Hintz (27).

After qualifying for the conference finals for a second straight season, having the 10th ranked prospect group is quite an achievement for their scouts and development team. They have placed three players in the McKeen’s top 60 in the aforementioned Stankoven (5th overall), AHL scoring leader, Mavrik Bourqe (23rd) and Lian Bischel (57th), a 6’ 6” defender who can skate like the wind. Nill has also shown a tendency to be patient with his prospects, and all evidence to date would have done nothing to convince him otherwise. All three players look to be impact NHL’ers. Dallas only has three picks in the upcoming draft but is more likely to trade for more picks than move prospects or even future picks. Standing pat and letting his excellent group of youngsters gain another year of experience together, particularly in the playoffs, may be the smart bet.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Logan Stankoven	C	21	5-8/170	Texas (AHL)	`21(47th)	47	24	33	57	26
					Dallas (NHL)	`21(47th)	24	6	8	14	4
2	Mavrik Bourque	C	22	5-10/190	Texas (AHL)	`20(30th)	71	26	51	77	32
3	Lian Bichsel	D	19	6-6/233	Rogle (SHL)	`22(18th)	29	2	2	4	28
					Texas (AHL)	`22(18th)	16	1	6	7	34
4	Christian Kyrou	D	20	5-10/170	Texas (AHL)	`22(50th)	57	8	15	23	22
5	Matej Blumel	LW	23	6-0/200	Texas (AHL)	FA(6/22)	72	31	31	62	37
6	Tristan Bertucci	D	18	6-1/180	Flint (OHL)	`23(61st)	61	10	34	44	77
7	Antonio Stranges	LW	22	5-11/185	Texas (AHL)	`20(123rd)	55	11	12	23	10
8	Ayrton Martino	LW	21	5-11/185	Clarkson (ECAC)	`21(73rd)	31	9	18	27	8
9	Kyle McDonald	RW	22	6-4/220	Texas (AHL)	FA(3/23)	58	15	11	26	22
10	Chase Wheatcroft	C	21	6-2/190	Texas (AHL)	FA(3/23)	46	3	13	16	28
11	Gavin White	D	21	6-0/195	Texas (AHL)	`22(115th)	49	0	11	11	18
12	Aram Minnetian	D	19	5-11/190	Boston College (HE)	`23(125th)	40	3	6	9	29
13	Francesco Arcuri	C	20	6-2/195	Idaho (ECHL)	`21(175th)	64	25	21	46	38
14	Brad Gardiner	C	19	6-0/180	Ottawa (OHL)	`23(79th)	67	16	33	49	34
15	Ben Kraws	G	23	6-5/195	St. Lawrence (ECAC)	FA(3/24)	37	14	17	2.49	0.919

1. Logan Stankoven, C, Texas Stars (AHL)

From the first few shifts of his very first NHL game it was abundantly obvious that Stankoven was never going back to the AHL ever again. As exceedingly rare as it is to see someone of his size step into the sport’s best league and immediately start making an impact, those who have closely followed “Stank” over the past few seasons weren’t surprised one bit, because there haven’t been any challenges that he’s faced where he hasn’t been fit for the task. He’s a Tasmanian Devil who never quits on plays or takes a shift off, but he combines that energy with elite hockey sense and play tracking, making him a delightfully chaotic entity who is constantly disrupting enemy possessions and creating bang-bang scoring chances. He’s a truly special kind of player and is already quite unique from everyone else in the entire NHL.

2. Mavrik Bourque, C, Texas Stars (AHL)

Bourque’s full-time arrival in the NHL was delayed, understandably, by his AHL teammate Stankoven grabbing a spot within the deep Dallas forward corps first. He won’t have to wait long, however, because he’s already proven himself more than worthy of receiving that opportunity. And spending more time down on the farm with the Texas Stars allowed him to keep racking up points, which eventually led to him finishing with the distinction of being the league’s top scorer and thereby winning the corresponding John B. Sollenberger Trophy, which is one heck of a consolation prize. His game is built around blending high-end smarts, vision, playmaking ability and character, and the fact that he is a center who looks casually comfortable in all three zones is a delicious icing on the cake. How high his ceiling will reach as an NHLer will depend on how much more speed he can add to his game.

3. Lian Bichsel, D, Rogle BK (SHL)

In a prospect pool that largely consists of players who are on the smaller side of things, Bichsel stands out in a big way — literally. In fact, there aren’t many top prospects across the entire hockey world who are as physically imposing as the substantial Swiss. Making matters even more enticing, he is fully aware of how he can use his enormous size to his advantage, and clearly gets a vexatious kick out of inflicting severe punishment on opponents in ways that help his teams win games. He’s also a powerful and technically proficient skater, and once he gets some wind under his sails it can be jaw-dropping to watch him fly down the ice. His puck control and the decisions he makes with it are spotty at times, but they’re both improving nicely. It’s only a matter of time before he’s a force of nature at the NHL level.

4. Christian Kyrou, D, Texas Stars (AHL)

There’s no denying that Kyrou is a prospect with an enviable amount of pure skill, as evidenced by his ability to create points and highlight-reel plays during his OHL days. The challenge for him since then, however, has been adjusting his style of play in a way that is more conducive to success at the AHL level. His riverboat gambler ways of old, where he hung onto pucks for extended periods of time as he looked for ways to dance around opponents or make other fancy plays, simply don’t work as well within the structured confines of the pro leagues. He also doesn’t have the size, reach or athleticism needed to readily help him clean up his own mistakes when they happen. The foundation of an NHL powerplay quarterback is still buried deep somewhere inside of him, but it might take an archaeologist’s patience and precision to unearth it.

5. Matej Blumel, LW, Texas Stars (AHL)

Blumel didn’t get to see any action with the big club this season after a six-game cup of tea last year, and getting inarguably bumped down the organization’s forward depth chart certainly has to sting but producing a 30-goal season in the AHL as a 23-year-old is nothing to sneeze at. There will always be interest in players who have a knack for filling the back of the net, and he’s proven over the course of his young career so far, across different leagues and levels, that he’s one of those guys. The elusive part for him has been showing what else, exactly, he can do really well. Nothing else in his game grades out all that highly, which raises concerns about how he’d handle the workload of a full NHL season. His goal-scoring prowess can only buy him so much time if he doesn’t add something else notable with it.

6. Tristan Bertucci, D, Flint Firebirds (OHL)

It was a trying season for Bertucci, who was one of the few competent defensemen on a terrible Firebirds squad, and on top of that, also played through injury down the stretch. He was asked to do a lot of heavy lifting for his club, probably more than he was ready for. However, the Stars must have been impressed by how well he handled his challenging circumstances, because they signed him to his entry-level contract this March, a full seasoner sooner than they needed to. The impressive tools that give him NHL potential, and led to Dallas using a 2nd-round pick on him, are still there: the reach, the fluid four-direction mobility, the smooth puck control in motion, and the vision in the offensive zone. If his difficult situation has wisened up some of the immature tendencies in his game, then it will have been worth it in the long run.

7. Antonio Stranges, LW, Texas Stars (AHL)

8. Ayrton Martino, LW Clarkson University (NCAA)

9. Kyle McDonald, RW, Texas Stars (AHL)

McDonald is an interesting prospect because the strengths and weaknesses of his game are so pronounced and far apart from each other. First, the good: he is an excellent net-front presence on the powerplay. He's so big and strong that he can bully his way to the enemy crease and is quite a handful to box out or tie up once he gets there. Most of his goals are of the greasy variety, but he's also a heavy finisher from mid-range if he has enough time and space. The bad is, well, almost everything else. His skating is slow and clunky, he doesn't drive much play himself, and he's not as much of a physical presence as you'd like to see. The only probable NHL pathway for him is as a 4th-line winger and powerplay specialist, but luckily for him and the Stars, he has a realistic chance to earn that pigeonholed role.

10. Chase Wheatcroft, C, Texas Stars (AHL)

Wheatcroft had a fantastic final season in the WHL in 2022-23, collecting praise as one of the best players in the league and fully earning the contract that Dallas offered him as an undrafted free agent. However, like what was experienced by a lot of former overage junior stars who have worn those same shoes, the transition to the professional level wasn't immediately smooth. His welcome to the AHL included battling through injury, bouncing around the lineup looking for a consistent role, and sitting at times as a healthy scratch. That said, during his WHL days he was a late bloomer who went through a bumpy development and came out better on the other side, so these kinds of trials aren't entirely new to him. The key for him now will be to keep forging a clear identity as a trustworthy two-way forward who can chip in good work wherever his team needs it.

PROSPECT CRITERIA: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 games (30 for goalies) and less than 25 in one season (25 for goalies).

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – DALLAS STARS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #21

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 14:35:15 +0000

SAINT PAUL, MN - OCTOBER 08: Dallas Stars Center Logan Stankoven (57) looks on during the NHL game between the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild, on October 8th, 2022, at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire)

Top 20 Dallas Stars Prospects Rankings

1. Logan Stankoven - C

Stankoven has the endurance of the Energizer Bunny and the tenacity of Taz the Tasmanian Devil. He has arguably the best motor in all of junior hockey, and he is relentlessly competitive shift over shift and game over game. The Kamloops Blazers are a big draw locally, and their star centre has always been worth the price of admission because he is wildly entertaining to watch, not just when he's scoring (which he does a lot), but also because of the heroic effort he always puts forth. The Blazers hosted the Memorial Cup last year, and Stankoven led the tournament in points. He has a mantle full of gold medals and other awards, adding to that significantly in the past two seasons. He is a textbook example that a player his size can be a truly elite prospect.

2. Lian Bichsel - C

Bichel is an uproariously entertaining player to watch, partially because there are so few top prospects out there like him. He's a huge, hulking teen who plays with an old-school edge and seems to highly enjoy throwing his body around. His hits can be absolutely bone-rattling and easily knock opponents off their feet. Don't mistake him for some mindless goon, though: he's whip smart and knows how to be physically dominant without getting into penalty trouble. He's also a powerful skater with long strides. Combine that skating with his frame and strength and good luck trying to slow him down when he gets a head of steam going with the puck on his stick. He left a serious mark playing for the Swiss at the World Juniors, giving fans a great taste of how impactful he will be on the smaller North American ice.

3. Thomas Harley - D

The plan with Harley was always to take the slow and steady route with his development, and even though he looked more than NHL-ready in 34 games with Dallas in 2021-22, the Stars elected not to change course, putting back him in the AHL for most of last season. The results have been very noticeable. While his point totals aren't eye-popping, he has made impressive progression in his overall game, becoming a much more consistent and reliable player. He was jogging with the Texas Stars, got himself warmed up, and when he got called up to Dallas late in the year, he began sprinting. With his reach, mobility, puck skill, and poise he is incredibly well-equipped for how the game is played these days. It's very easy to get excited about just how good Harley could be when he reaches the prime years of his career.

4. Mavrik Bourque - C

Bourque found his footing as an AHL rookie almost immediately, and while his scoring totals so far are more modest than gaudy, the points will definitely come soon, and in bunches! He's a heady, hardworking centre who watches, learns, and improves with an almost machine-like consistency. He's quiet and subtle in ways that lure opponents into a false sense of security, but when he gets the puck on his stick, Bourque is an assassin. There are few prospects in the entire sport who can work a power play from the half wall like he can. He is an expert passer, with an underrated shot to back it up. Bourque will make the NHL sooner rather than later in a support role, and it won't take him long to work his way up to his natural place in the top six.

5. Christian Kyrou – D

Kyrou’s post draft year ended up being a really good one in the OHL as he emerged as one of the top defensemen in Ontario. Nearly every facet of his game progressed in a positive way, giving encouragement to both Stars management and Stars fans that he can develop into a quality puck mover at the NHL level. Without question, Kyrou’s tremendous point shot and his slick four-way mobility remain his two best assets, and his likely calling card to an NHL career. However, his explosiveness, defensive engagement, and decision making all showed great improvement, giving him a better outlook. Splitting the year between Erie and Sarnia, Kyrou really increased his physical intensity level in the defensive end, making him a more assertive two-way player and one who required less sheltering at the junior level. Of course, the pro level will offer an even greater challenge in this regard for Kyrou. Patience will likely be required as he continues to improve his defensive zone effectiveness. However, if afforded the opportunity to quarterback the powerplay, his offensive production could carry over immediately. In a best case scenario, Kyrou could develop into a top unit powerplay quarterback and a reliable top four defender at even strength

6. Tristan Bertucci - D

Much like John Marino in New Jersey, Bertucci has a real chance to develop into a dependable two-way defender thanks to his length, smarts, and mobility. He had 37 points in his final 38 games with Flint, emerging as a dominant two-way leader for the Firebirds. The key will be building upon that this season to become a more consistent defensive leader at the OHL level. A competent powerplay quarterback, Bertucci has high end four-way mobility, and he does a really good job of getting pucks on net to help generate second chance opportunities. As a defender, he has a clear understanding of how to defend in the modern style. He is aggressive in stepping up early on attackers, using his quickness to stay with puck carriers and his length to disrupt them. There is a need to add strength to improve his assertiveness in high traffic situations and to be more consistent in 50/50 battles. There is also a need to refine his approach as his over-aggressiveness can take him out of position at both ends of the ice. After a few seasons in the OHL, the Stars could definitely have another potential top four defender on their hands if his development goes according to plan.

7. Matej Blumel - LW

Blumel was originally drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 2019, but went unsigned, becoming a free agent two years later, after which he was scooped up by Dallas in the summer of 2022. In this situation, one team's loss is another's gain, as the Czech winger became an immediate fit within the Stars organization. He started his first season in the AHL at a torrid scoring pace and was quickly and deservedly called up to the big club, where he scored his first NHL goal during a six-game tryout. He was back down on the farm for the remainder of the season after that, but maintained his status as one of the top forwards on the team. His shot is undoubtedly his best asset, dangerous as both a wrister and one-timer, but he also does a pretty good job with his puck protection and cycling, and isn't a liability when he has to defend.

8. Riley Damiani - C

This has been an incredibly trying season for Damiani. Not only has his development hit a wall, but it’s also like he has taken a step backwards compared to his first two professional seasons. His counting stats were down, and he has just not been influencing the play like he had beforehand. Making matters even more confusing, the Texas Stars were one of the best teams in the AHL and were rolling all four forward lines, with incredible results. Plus-minus is a flawed stat, but on a team full of pluses, his big minus stuck out disconcertingly. At his best, Damiani is a top notch puck handler and play driver, making high-end passes, using his anticipation and awareness to stay ahead of the flow, and displaying tenacity in battles. However, that version of Damiani hasn't been seen a lot lately, and his absence has become quite concerning.

9. Ayrton Martino - LW

Martino just gets better year over year, and it only took him until his second season in the NCAA to emerge as the best forward on Clarkson, just like he was previously with both St. Michael's in the OJHL and Omaha in the USHL. He is a dynamic, offense-generating winger, who uses his explosive acceleration to burst through spaces, hits an excellent top gear that can easily gain separation from opposing defenders to lead to breakaways or odd-man rushes, and has little trouble corralling, deking, or passing the puck in full flight. He is also a legitimate driver on the power play, showing how well he can also play at lower speeds. Martino is going back to college for at least one more season, and it won't be a surprise if the Stars push hard to get him signed and turned pro next spring.

10. Francesco Arcuri - C

Arcuri definitively cemented himself as one of the best goal-scorers currently in the OHL, and that prowess made him a trade target for Kitchener in their championship aspirations last season. He wasted little time acclimating to his new surroundings and continuing his net-filling ways, eventually helping the Rangers upset the Windsor Spitfires (and former teammate Shane Wright) in the opening round of the playoffs. Arcuri is a big-bodied winger who can also make plays fairly well but has limitations with his quickness and skating. Interestingly, that is a very similar profile to Jason Robertson, another former member of the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs who was also drafted by the Stars. While it would be unfair to compare Arcuri too closely to one of the NHL's newest superstars, just how much can his game also grow if his development is handled the exact same way by the team?

11. Antonio Stranges - LW

It wasn’t the easiest transition to pro hockey for Stranges, which may have been expected given his unique style of play and reliance on the 10 to 2, mohawk stride. However, he finished strong and that provides optimism heading into this year that he can be more consistent.

12. Aram Minnetian - D

We certainly didn’t expect Minnetian to fall to the fourth round at this year’s draft. However, the smooth skating defender needs to develop a clear identity on the ice and improve his decision making. Dallas should get a better indication of the finished product after a few years at Boston College.

13. Brad Gardiner - C

Gardiner is a versatile forward who was a recent third round selection by Dallas out of Ottawa in the OHL. He can play multiple positions and fill multiple roles. His offensive upside remains a question mark but he is set for a big ice time increase this season with the 67’s.

14. Artyom Grushnikov - D

While there was some hope that his offensive game would develop in the OHL, it is very clear now that what you see is what you get with Grushnikov. He’s a defensive workhorse, but his offensive game is fairly limited. He will turn pro this year with Texas.

15. Matthew Seminoff - RW

Seminoff earned a contract from Dallas thanks to a terrific season for Kamloops last year. An intelligent and tenacious off puck player, he could project as a Michael Bunting type down the line.

16. Chase Wheatcroft - C

Talk about a breakout season. Wheatcroft scored more points and goals last year than he did in all of his other WHL seasons combined. OA signings out of the CHL can be difficult to project, but Wheatcroft is a very intriguing prospect thanks to his high-level skills, quick release, and an ability to navigate traffic well.

17. Kyle McDonald - RW

Another OA free agent signing out of the CHL, McDonald is a big power forward with a terrific shot. He has clear scoring potential if he can continue to improve his skating. He had a tremendous playoffs with North Bay last year.

18. Matthew Murray - G

Last year, we all got our wish as the “other Matt Murray” got some games in with Dallas, providing those that cover the league with an abundance of double Matt Murray jokes. In all seriousness, Murray, a former UMass standout, continues to improve and could push for a backup role soon.

19. Gavin White - D

The last two seasons in the OHL have been very kind to White as he captured back-to-back OHL Championships with Hamilton and Peterborough. There are still some concerns over his ability to defend at the pro level, but the skating is high level.

20. George Fegaras

Drafted out of tier two in Ontario, Fegaras was always going to be a long-term project. After playing last year in the USHL, the Stars should get a better indication of what they have as Fegaras jumps to NCAA Cornell this season. Lots of good attributes, but are any truly above average?