The Dallas Stars have a list of “untouchable” prospects that fans are excited to see make the roster within the next three to five seasons. As of right now, it looks like there is only room for one or two of those prospects to make the 2022 Opening Night Roster. Jim Nill and new coach Pete DeBoer are going to have to make some tough decisions at training camp this season. Here is where I think some of those prospects will end up by the end of preseason and training camp.
Dallas Stars Untouchable Prospects: Logan Stankoven
Prediction: Dallas Stars Opening Night Roster
After following Logan Stankoven this past season, it’s just time for him to be on the Stars opening night roster this upcoming season. He scored 62 goals and 73 assists last season with the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers and won numerous postseason awards.
I would literally be shocked if they sent him back to play in Kamloops this upcoming season. He literally torched the OHL last season and needs a new challenge. Here is one of his goals from last season that blew up Hockey Twitter.
Oh no you didn't Logan Stankoven. OH NO YOU DIDN'T. 🔥@blazerhockey | @DallasStars#WHLOpeningWeek pic.twitter.com/F0BUz4uAh3
— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 10, 2021
Dallas Stars Untouchable Prospects: Wyatt Johnston
Prediction: Dallas Stars (NHL)/Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Wyatt Johnston had a remarkable season playing for Marc Savard and the Windsor Spitfires last season. Johnston scored 60 goals and 105 assists combined between the regular season and playoffs. Like Stankoven, he also brought in numerous postseason awards as well.
The reason why I have 50/50 between the NHL and AHL is because of roster spaces. if they have a couple of roster spaces open, I could the Stars adding both Johnston and Stankoven to the Opening Night Roster. If Johnston doesn’t do well at camp, its back to Windsor for another year.
Dallas Stars Untouchable Prospects: Mavrik Bourque
Prediction: Texas Stars (AHL)
Mavrik Bourque had a fairly decent season in the QMJHL with the Shawinigan Cataractes. He finished last season with 20 goals and 48 assists. Many Stars fans expect him to compete for a roster spot in training camp next month.
The reason why I have him down in Cedar Park is he will most likely lose the opening night roster spot to Wyatt Johnston and Logan Stankoven. He’s a great prospect with a future on this team, just isn’t his time to play in the NHL just yet.
Dallas Stars Untouchable Prospects: Antonio Stranges
Prediction: Texas Stars AHL
Antonio Strange’s career season last year has been hidden by the prospects mentioned above. He did pretty well with the OHL London Knights this season by putting up 31 goals and 53 assists in 60 games. He had some mesmerizing goals that made their way around Twitter like this one.
Antonio Stranges, oh my 🤩 @AntonioStrange7 | @LondonKnights | #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/NB95o078H5
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) March 26, 2022
The reason why he will be with the Texas Stars next season is that he signed a three-year entry-level contract back in March of this year. He still needs to prove he can play at a higher level and what better way than seeing him play in the AHL. If he succeeds there, the Stars will have no choice but to bring him up to play in Dallas.
As I conclude this article, just want to say that these are “way too early” predictions on where I think they might end up playing. For all we know, Stranges could surprise the coaches with his scoring during the preseason and take one of the roster spots. Another scenario is Jim Nill clears a couple of spots by trading and two of the prospects make the roster. Right now fans just need to relax and let Nill and DeBoer put together the 2022-23 Dallas Stars Opening Night Roster.