Dallas Stars: Three Things To Watch For In 2019 NHL Entry Draft

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DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: A general view is seen of the stage after the Dallas Stars selected Ty Dellandrea thirteenth overall during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2. Who Will The Stars End Up Taking At 18th Overall?

So, let’s say that either no substantial offer comes across the table for the 18th pick or the Dallas Stars see one of their top-listed prospects still available. Then what?

Well, the Stars will make their pick, add a prospect to their farm system, and look towards the future.

But who will they pick?

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Over the past few drafts, Dallas has produced mixed results when it comes to their first-round selections. Valeri Nichushkin was Nill’s first ever first-round pick as GM of the Stars. And after being praised by some of the top hockey talents in history for his play during his rookie year, he’s experienced a rough drop-off and just produced a goalless 2018-19 campaign that left him serving as the healthy scratch for a majority of the stretch and through the team’s playoff run.

Julius Honka (2014) couldn’t find a permanent place in the starting lineup with three different coaching staffs and will more than likely never play another NHL game in a Dallas Stars uniform.

Denis Gurianov (2015) was considered a serious stretch and gamble at 12th overall and came with plenty of speculation from Stars fans, but has since panned out into one of their brighter prospects.

Riley Tufte (2016) came late in the first round at 25th overall and just finished up his college career at Minnesota-Duluth. He signed his entry-level deal with the Stars this past year and should have an opportunity to make an impact in the AHL in 2019-20.

Miro Heiskanen (2017) did Miro Heiskanen things in his rookie season with Dallas in 2018-19 and looks as though he may be the brightest part of the organization’s future on the blue line. In addition, Jake Oettinger (2017) finished up his college career at Boston University this past year and finished his season with the Texas Stars (AHL).

Ty Dellandrea (2018) was also considered a bit of a stretch but continued to impress in 2018-19 as the leader and lifeblood of a bad Flint Firebirds team before joining the Texas Stars to end the season.

So, who comes in as the 2019 first-round pick? Will they be a stretch? Will Dallas take the best player available? Are they going to focus on drafting another forward or will they go back to their defense-first strategy? Will he make an immediate impact in the prospect pool?

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Some names that have arisen as being still available at 18th in recent mock drafts include Ryan Suzuki (C, OHL), Arthur Kaliyev (RW, OHL), Alex Newhook (C, BCHL), Cam York (D, USA NTDP), and Moritz Seider (D, DEL).

Ryan Suzuki is ranked in the 17-21 range by most scouts and draft analysts and led the Barrie Colts in scoring during the 2018-19 season with 25 goals and 75 points in 65 games. He was voted as the best playmaker in the OHL’s Eastern Conference and some consider him to be the best playmaker in this year’s draft class. He possesses skating and passing skills and could be a strong target if the Stars want to reload their forward group.

Arthur Kaliyev burst onto the scene in the 2018-19 season as he led the Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) with 51 goals and 102 points in 67 games after a 31-goal, 48-point campaign in his rookie season in 2017-18. Is considered one of the faster skaters in the class and boasts a dangerously accurate shot. Another great forward talent to keep an eye on.

Alex Newhook committed to Boston College University after an outstanding 2018-19 showing with the Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) that included 38 goals and 102 points in 53 regular season games, as well as an 11-goal, 24-point performance in the playoffs. He was voted the BCHL’s Most Valuable Player this past season and brings great speed and hockey IQ to the table.

On the defensive side, Cam York could be an intriguing option for the future of the Dallas blue line. He’s an offensively-skilled defenseman with great instincts and puck-moving skills and turned in a terrific 2018-19 performance with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program’s U18 team that saw him score 14 goals and post 65 points in 63 games. His numbers and awareness are impressive for a defender and he’s ranked in the 12-18 area by most prospects.

Moritz Seider is another intriguing option on the blue line. Standing at 6-3, 208 lb., he possesses impressive size and mobility when considering that size. He was named the Rookie of the Year in the DEL (Germany’s top league) and also possesses great awareness and decision-making skills, taking plays away and reading potential dangerous situations before they happen.

There’s no telling where Nill might go with the first-round pick if he ends up keeping it. But we can be rest assured that there should be some good names left on the board if the Dallas Stars get on the clock at 18.

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