The Dallas Stars have a great young core comprised of Roope Hintz, Jason Dickinson, John Klingberg, Miro Heiskanen, Julius Honka, Esa Lindell and Tyler Seguin. The young talented core in North Texas has the chance for a lot of success in the playoffs for many years to come. In addition, the Stars have a well-stocked farm system and could make an impact in the NHL in the next few seasons.
Let’s take a look at the top ten Dallas Stars prospects.
1. Jason Robertson, LW, Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL) & Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
HT/WT: 6-2/192 lbs
Age: 20
Drafted: 39th overall in the 2017 draft by the Dallas Stars
Robertson had a spectacular season with the Kingston Frontenacs and the Niagara Ice Dogs. For the beginning half of the season, the 20-year-old played in Kingston, but prior to the deadline, he was dealt to Niagara as the Ice Dogs looked to bulk up their lineup.
In a combined 62 regular season games, Robertson tallied 48 goals and 69 assists. His production last season was quite a bit better than his production during the 2017-18 season. While this improved production happened when he was an over-ager, there is still quite a bit to be excited about.
The Arcadia, California native loves battling for the puck, has good accuracy, will use his body to block shots, plays physical and is a scoring chance wizard. The only slight issue with Robertson is his speed.
2. Denis Guryanov, RW, Dallas Stars (NHL) & Texas Stars (AHL)
HT/WT: 6-3/201 lbs
Age: 22
Drafted: 12th overall in the 2015 draft by the Dallas Stars
Last season, Guryanov split his time between the Dallas Stars and their AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars. He suited up for 21 games for Dallas and 57 games for Texas, having far more success in the AHL. During his time with Texas, he managed to muster up 20 goals and 28 assists.
The Togliatti, Russia native is dynamic power forward. Guryanov loves to skate fast right up to the net and has a knack for scoring goals. TSN draft insider Craig Button has previously compared Guryanov to New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider. If Guryanov turns out anything close to Kreider, that will be a win for the Dallas Stars.
3. Ty Dellandrea, C, Texas Stars (AHL) & Flint Firebirds (OHL)
HT/WT: 6-1/190 lbs
Age: 19
Drafted: 13th overall in the 2018 draft by the Dallas Stars
The Toronto, Ontario native is a speedster, with many prospect analysts rave about Dellandrea’s speed. In addition to his fast stride, Dellandrea is an excellent two-way centreman. His defensive positioning is top-notch. Also, he has shown to be a valuable asset on the penalty kill.
Last season, Dellandrea appeared in 60 games for the OHL’s Flint Firebirds. He produced 22 goals and 41 assists during his 2018-19 campaign in Flint. After Flint’s season concluded, the Dallas Stars front office decided to bring him to the AHL. Dellandrea appeared in 11 games with the Texas Stars and managed to tally three points (2 goals and 1 assist). While Dellandrea’s offensive production did not translate right away to success in the AHL, he will likely play with the Texas Stars next season.
4. Riley Tufte, LW, University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)
HT/WT: 6-6/209 lbs
Age: 21
Drafted: 25th overall in the 2016 draft by the Dallas Stars
The former Minnesota Mr. Hockey (2016) was compared to former Montréal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins forward John LeClair by Steve Kournianos of Sporting News and The Draft Analyst. LeClair was quite effective throughout his career and if Tufte is anything like LeClair, the Dallas Stars organization has a stud in the making.
Tufte is a strong skater and has a knack for scoring goals, but had a rough season in 2018-19. In 42 games played with the University of Minnesota-Duluth, he tallied only 9 goals and 10 assists. Given his 29 point campaign in 2017-18, his 19 point performance in 2018-19 is a major let-down. While Tufte’s development is in question, there still is plenty of time for the left-winger to turn it around.
5. Thomas Harley, LHD, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
HT/WT: 6-3/192 lbs
Age: 17
Drafted: 18th overall in the 2019 draft by the Dallas Stars
Thomas Harley’s NHL career got off to an odd start. On draft night when the Dallas Stars announced their pick, they drafted “Harley Thomas” not “Thomas Harley”. It took Thomas Harley a few seconds to figure out that the Stars meant “Thomas Harley”, but he had been drafted into the NHL.
The offensive defenseman is coming off of an awesome season with the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads. In 68 games played, Harley produced 11 goals and 47 assists. That is major improvement for Harley as he tallied 15 points in his 2017-18 season with Mississauga.
While his offensive game truly flourished in 2018-19, his defensive positioning needs to improve. Bob McKenzie and the NBC crew talked about just that on Draft Night.
6. Jake Oettinger, G, Texas Stars (AHL) & Boston University (NCAA)
HT/WT: 6-4/212 lbs
Age: 20
Drafted: 26th overall in the 2017 draft by the Dallas Stars
Jake Oettinger had an outstanding season with the Boston University Terriers and the Texas Stars.
In 36 games played with the Terriers, he posted a 2.45 GAA and a .926 SV%. While his performance in net for Boston University was quite good, Cayden Primeau (Montréal Canadiens prospect), Filip Lindberg (Minnesota Wild prospect) and Filip Larsson (Detroit Red Wings prospect) had bested him.
After the Terriers season was complete, Oettinger joined the Texas Stars and did not lose a step. He posted a 2.47 GAA and a .895 SV% in 6 games with Texas. Oettinger’s save percentage was not great, but the sample size was pretty small. He will likely fare a bit better in his 2019-20 campaign.
In terms of Oettinger’s skill-set, the Lakeville, Minnesota native has good transitioning, but there are some issues. Oettinger will over-slide from time-to-time and he tends to flop around for the puck. Also, he likes to use the overlap technique quite a bit.
7. Adam Mascherin, LW, Texas Stars (AHL)
HT/WT: 5-10/205 lbs
Age: 21
Drafted: 100th overall in the 2018 draft by the Dallas Stars
Adam Mascherin was drafted twice. Mascherin was drafted in 2016 by the Florida Panthers, but never signed an entry-level deal and was thrown back into the draft pot. The Maple, Ontario native is a pure goal scorer. He loves to plant himself right next to the net and wait for the perfect opportunities to pounce. Mascherin has a lovely slap shot, but he does not use his wrist shot enough. Perhaps Mascherin is less confident in his wrist shot and if that is the case, he needs to further develop his wrist shot.
Last season, Mascherin suited up for the Texas Stars in 75 games. He managed to post 18 goals and 26 assists. Given that it was Mascherin’s first season in the AHL, those numbers are decent.
8. Joseph Cecconi, RHD, Texas Stars (AHL) & University of Michigan (NCAA)
HT/WT: 6-2/209 lbs
Age: 22
Drafted: 133rd overall in the 2015 draft by the Dallas Stars
Joseph Cecconi projects to be a stay at home defenseman. He is quite big and could use that to his advantage. He still needs to become more physical, but his willingness to block shots and use his body as a shield does not go unnoticed.
Last season, Cecconi spent the bulk of his time with the University of Michigan. In 36 games played, Cecconi posted 3 goals and 17 assists. Once Michigan’s season concluded, he joined the Texas Stars for two games. In all likelihood, Cecconi will be on the Texas Stars opening roster.
9. Albin Eriksson, RW, Skellefteå AIK (SHL) & Skellefteå AIK J20 (SuperElit)
HT/WT: 6-4/207 lbs
Age: 19
Drafted: 44th overall in the 2018 draft by the Dallas Stars
The Swedish right winger has a lot of promise but still is far from being a top prospect. Last season, he played in 44 games in the SHL with Skellefteå AIK and 5 games with Skellefteå AIK J20 (SuperElit). In his 44 game stint in the SHL, he tallied 9 goals and 7 assists. Those numbers are quite low, but keep in mind that Eriksson is 19 years old and playing in a league with quite a bit of veterans. The fact that he is playing in the SHL at 19 is pretty impressive.
Eriksson’s skill-set is pretty solid. His stick-handling is incredible. He is able to weave in-and-out of traffic with his elite stick-handling. Eriksson has great hands, outstanding speed and has a nose for the puck. He will jump at the first chance for a loose puck.
10. Tye Felhaber, RW, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
HT/WT: 6-0/190 lbs
Age: 21
Drafted: Undrafted
While there are quite a bit of prospect analysts who are quite high on Tye Felhaber, I’m more cautious with my projections. He is clearly a late-bloomer and has had quite a bit of success as an overager in the OHL, but his productivity drastically improved this past season. Until Felhaber is a bit more consistent in his play, I won’t deem him as a top 5 prospect for the Stars. Instead, he is my number 10 prospect.
That being said, Felhaber is coming off of a great season with the Ottawa 67’s. In 68 games played, he tallied 59 goals and 50 assists. Those are incredible numbers and if he continues to put up similar numbers, he will be viewed as a steal for Dallas.