The first round of the draft finished last night and today we can look forward to the rest of the draft. The Dallas Stars drafted Finnish defenseman, Julius Honka, with the 14th overall pick. They have, at the moment, another eight picks to be made.
Will they make a move to try and get another pick in the second round to pick up a faller from the first? It seems that they’d like to:
Jim Nill said they’d like to get another pick in the second round tomorrow, if possible.
— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) June 28, 2014
Wishing doesn’t make it so however. Jim Nill will have to do some dealing to get a second round pick later today.
Firstly, who are the notable names of those who fell out of the first round and will be available to be selected in the second round?
The first section of this piece will be focused on players who it was thought would be selected in the first 30 picks and were not. The second will be looking more generally at prospects that will be available in the second round and who the Dallas Stars could be interested in.
Ivan Barbashev, C, 6’0″, 185lbs, Moncton Wild Cats, QMJHL
Barbashev is probably the biggest surprise out of those dropping out of the first round. Many considered him a possibility for the Dallas Stars at 14, something which just shows how each teams draft boards vary. I think if he’s on the board when the Dallas Stars pick that this will be their guy. He’s a combination of skill, size and intelligence that make him an intriguing two-way center. He isn’t going to dazzle you with a move but he has some solid puck skills and an NHL shot.
Roland McKeown, RD, 6’1″, 195lbs, Kingston Frontenacs, OHL
McKeown is another one of those players who was lingering around the fringes of the first round and who could have been called in the late 20s. Instead he’s available in the second round and will probably go quite early. He’s one of the top skaters in the OHL and is very good at protecting the puck. He’s got top end offensive and defensive skills though he can be caught out doing too much sometimes. He’s got excellent hockey sense. If he’s on the board when the Stars pick it would definitely solidify their blueline for the future.
Jack Dougherty, RD, 6’1″, 185lbs, USNTDP U18, USHL
Dougherty was expected to be the first of several USNTDP defenseman to be drafted but he falls out of the first round, another victim of a deep second tier of players. He’s a big and physical defenseman who can take care of business in his own end. He’s extremely good at closing down his man. He doesn’t have the offensive talent of McKeown or some other USNTDP defensemen but he can get the puck out of his own zone well and has a nice shot. Skating wise he needs to improve. He’s committed to the University of Wisconsin next season.
Ryan MacInnis, C, 6’4″, 185lbs, Kitchener Rangers, OHL
Ryan MacInnis, son of Al MacInnis, is a smart center whose adjusted reasonably well to the OHL after a move from the USHL. He’s consider a good playmaker but he’s got better goalscorer instincts. Despite his size he’s not a particularly physical forward though he can still handle his own in the defensive zone. He’s got a good hard shot and has the potential to be a second or third line center. At the moment his skating is a problem and needs to improve if he wants to become more effective.
Brendan Lemieux, LW, 6’1″, 205lbs, Barrie Colts, OHL
Lemieux? That sounds familiar, he’s another son of a former NHLer that is available in this draft. His father is Claude Lemieux and they play with very similar styles. He’s a sound defensive guy who also excels at agitating the opposition. He’s got a pretty decent shot but the offensive game isn’t seen as his selling point, its the physicality and persistence that will get him draft. He’s another one whose skating needs to improve though it has been tracking upwards over the last season.
Thatcher Demko, G, 6’4″, 195lbs, Boston College, NCAA
The top ranked goalie in the draft was expected to be drafted within the last few picks of first round but he’s still on the board. I don’t think he’s who the Stars need but he’s another faller that should be watched.
A few others to keep an eye on during the second round.
Vladislav Kamenev, LW, 6’2″, 202lbs, Magnitogorsk, MHL/KHL
A big powerful forward Russian forward. He had the talent to go in the first round but he’s still here and could quite possibly be on the board for Dallas. He’s got top end playmaking skills and a game which is more North American than European. He’s a pretty good skater as well for his size.
Alexis Vanier, LD, 6’5″, 225lbs, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, QMJHL
A big, mean, physical defenseman with a huge shot? Vanier has potential all over him but is a prospect that could either turn out to be incredible or be a complete bust. He’s been trending upwards a lot over the last season and if he keeps developing like that he’s going to be a steal if he’s there in the mid second round.
Jake Walman, LD, 6’1″, 174lbs, Toronto Jr. Canadiens, OJHL
He’s an extremely fluid skater and can move everywhere on the ice with ease. He’s quite lanky and could do to grow into his frame more. But he has all the raw skills to become a very good defenseman, intelligence in all three zones and a great shot. He needs to bulk up a bit to reach his full potential. He’s committed to Providence College next season.
Marcus Pettersson, LD, 6’4″, 165lbs, Skelleftea, SuperElit OHL
He’s a big lanky Swede who once he puts on some more muscle and refines his raw potential could be a top defenseman. He’s got a good shot but currently is much better at shutting down opposition forwards. The offensive upside is there but just needs time to work out. He needs to improve his skating as well. However playing in Sweden against men will definitely help his development upwards.