Worried about all of the talk that this year’s NHL Entry Draft is a weak one? Don’t be. While there might be a lack of generational talent at the very top, this draft is ultimately a deep one, as there is a wealth of prospects with legitimate NHL potential well outside of the 1st round.
This includes the 3rd round, where the Dallas Stars currently hold the 70th overall pick. The players that will still be around by this point aren’t quite as skilled as the players projected to go much earlier, but many of them are still specialists in certain areas or have impressive versatility. It shouldn’t come as a surprise if some of the players to go in the 3rd round this year eventually end up being Top 6 forwards, Top 4 defensemen, or even starting goalies at the NHL level.
After recently profiling a group of prospects that would be good fits for the Stars to take in the 2nd round, today I’m going to do the same for the 3rd round.
As a refresher, here are the areas of the the Stars’ prospect pool that are currently the biggest needs:
- A goalie with high potential to be a starter
- Creative, playmaking forwards that can excel on the powerplay
- Dynamic, game-breaking forwards at even strength
- Left-shot defensemen with Top 4 upside/
Important note: these views are entirely my own, developed through personal scouting, research, and analysis of the team’s prospect pool. I have no first-hand or insider knowledge about which players the Stars are actually targeting for this pick.
While there’s no guarantee that any of these players will still be available at 70th overall (the draft is always full of surprises), they have ultimately been chosen based on an accumulation of various rankings and recent league-wide draft trends that suggest a high likelihood that they will still be around.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at some notable individuals:
Evan Barratt – Center – USNTDP (USHL)
Barratt is flying under the radar a bit in his draft year despite being a consistent secondary scorer everywhere that he’s played. He was just under a point-per-game player for the USNTDP during the regular season and then followed that up with six points in seven games at this spring’s IIHF U18s. A pass-first center, he steadily contributes offensive chances for his line thanks to his accurate passes, top-notch puck protection skills, and a mature awareness that usually has him one step ahead of his competition.
One of the most underrated? USDP F Evan Barratt. 3.1 ESP1/60, 18.33GF%rel, 69% IPP. Among the best in the USHL on less than average USDP.
— Will Scouch (@Scouching) January 18, 2017
Jake Leschyshyn – Center – Regina Pats (WHL)
The son of former NHLer Curtis Leschyshyn, Jake clearly had a good hockey mentor growing up, as he currently demonstrates an advanced understanding of the hard work and dedication that it takes to be a pro. He’s a coach’s dream because of his ability to slot into any role that is asked of him. Led by former NHL head coach John Paddock, the Pats were an offensive powerhouse last season, so Leschyshyn is in an environment that might help him develop his offensive game to that of a Top 6 NHL player one day.
Kyle Olson – Center/Right Wing – Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Playing on a team with four other prospects that could go in the Top 100 in this draft, it ended up being Olson that most caught the attention of scouts that focus on analytics. Beyond his more easily noticeable 57 points in 72 games, he also registered an impressive 60.71 GF% and a 17.24 GF%Rel. In other words, he was a huge difference-maker at even strength, among the best in the entire WHL. He passes the eyeball test, too, with a nice package of speed, puck skills, and a great wrist shot.
Dmitri Samorukov – Defense – Guelph Storm (OHL)
The 2nd overall pick in the 2016 CHL Import Draft, Samorukov spent most of the season playing on a pretty abysmal Guelph club. However, this allowed him to log a lot of minutes in all situations, helping him to significantly round out his game. A smart, two-way defenseman that loves to throw hits and plays with a nasty edge, he’s been a staple for Russia’s international junior teams over the past two years, most recently picking up five points in seven games at the U18s en route to a bronze medal.
Mason Shaw – Center – Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Shaw is a tenacious undersized player that constantly battles hard and gets under the skin of opposing players. Even Nolan Patrick agrees. He’s more than just a pest, though, as he possesses excellent awareness, soft hands, and quick feet that are always rapidly churning. Picked up 94 points in 71 regular season games and then followed that up with 12 more in 11 playoff games, the large majority of them all being assists. His work ethic and puck skills should be enough to overcome his stature at the NHL level.