Dallas Stars Entry Draft: Analysis On All Seven Picks
By Tom Dorsa
As the Draft concluded this weekend, the Dallas Stars undoubtedly walked away as winners with the amount of talent they received. Here’s a rundown of what they’re getting out of their seven picks.
The 31 National Hockey League teams recently wrapped up the NHL’s Entry Draft this weekend in Chicago, Illinois after rounds two through seven on Saturday, June 24th. After an eventful, surprising first round full of league-shaking trades and changes along the Draft board, day two was a breeze.
For the Dallas Stars, it was a day of borderline steals and sensational late-round picks. After the round one selections of fast left-handed defenseman Miro Heiskanen and future goaltending superstar Jake Oettinger, the Stars needed to fill their needs for scoring wingers and powerful centers.
The Dallas Stars had an extremely successful 2017 NHL Draft. All of the picks below will provide some sort of value and skill to the club later on in the future, but for a team that is built to win now, it will be exciting to see how many of these skilled prospects contribute instantly.
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Here’s a rundown of all seven picks from the weekend of June 23rd and 24th.
ROUND 1, PICK #3 OVERALL:
Defenseman Miro Heiskanen, HIFK Helsinki (SM-Liiga)
Miro Heiskanen is an extremely skilled defenseman that will play all three zones and contribute offensively. As a left-handed blueliner, Heiskanen can play alongside righties like John Klingberg or Julius Honka, which will make zone exits and entries a breeze for the skilled blueline in Dallas.
ROUND 1, PICK #26 OVERALL:
Goaltender Jake Oettinger, Boston University (NCAA)
Jake Oettinger is a smart, positionally sound goaltender that doesn’t often get caught out of position. When he does lose his ideal crease position, he compensates with a 6’4″, 200 lb frame that can close down any hole the shooters might eyeball.
Must Read: Scouting Stars' New Goalie Jake Oettinger
ROUND 2, PICK #39 OVERALL:
Winger Jason Robertson, Kingston Frotenacs (OHL)
Jason Robertson is a powerful, multi-dimensional left winger who has been found to light up the scoresheet anywhere he goes. Robertson is just 17 and still has time to grow into his 6’2″ frame, while his skating will certainly improve over time.
More From Blackout Dallas: What Jason Robertson Brings To Stars
ROUND 4, PICK #101 OVERALL:
Center Liam Hawel, Guelph Storm (OHL)
The Stars took a shot in the dark with their fourth-round selection, picking lanky center Liam Hawel, who stands at 6’5″ and 179 lbs. Hawel has good hands and can get into the correct position in all three zones, and if he grows into his already large physical stature, Hawel can develop into a potentially superior NHL power forward.
Dallas Stars
ROUND 5, PICK #132 OVERALL:
Center Jacob Peterson, Frolunda (SHL)
Jacob Peterson is a fast, defensively responsible center who played predominantly bottom-six penalty killing minutes with Frolunda HC of the Swedish ranks. He’s long and rangy at 6’0″ and 165 lbs, and can grow into his body further at just 17 years old. Peterson became a bit of a goal scoring threat, with 28 goals in 54 games.
More From Blackout Dallas: Reviewing Rounds 4-5
ROUND 6, PICK #163 OVERALL:
Center Brett Davis, Kootenay Ice (WHL)
Brett Davis is a smart, offensively-minded player with a sneakily good and deceptive wrist shot. His release is one fluid motion that goaltenders in the WHL ranks seem to have trouble picking up, and his ability to find pass lanes is stellar. Davis will have to improve his defensive game to succeed in pro hockey, as his -46 rating over the 2016-17 season is about as ugly as possible.
ROUND 7, PICK #194 OVERALL:
Goaltender Dylan Ferguson, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
From 2013 on, the Dallas Stars have taken a goaltender in the Draft each year, and this time they’ve taken two. Following Jake Oettinger is Dylan Ferguson, whose stats at Kamloops hold up excellently (16-10-2, .922 SV%, 2.74 GAA). Ferguson is a long-term project at 18-years-old, but he showed a lot of quickness with his feet and excelled under pressure.
More From Blackout Dallas: Reviewing Rounds 6-7
Next: A Few Thoughts On Stars' Opening Night vs. Vegas
Stay tuned to Blackout Dallas as our staff recaps the Draft and all of what the newest crop of prospects can bring to the Dallas Stars, as well as what’s possible in free agency.