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2017 NHL Entry Draft: Notable Dallas Stars Targets For Rounds 4-7

Draft week is finally upon us. By this point, after weeks (and months) of coverage, you’re probably sick and tired of reading about Nolan Patrick, Nico Hischier, and many other prospects that are projected to go in the 1st round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

However, every year the draft goes far, far beyond just the opening round. Sure, the later the draft goes, the less likely that any of the players picked will go on to long, successful NHL careers. That doesn’t mean, though, that none of them do.

Like clockwork, each and every draft sees prospects that get selected in the 5th, 6th or 7th rounds that, unbeknownst at the time, eventually become top-notch NHLers. Some of these late picks even become franchise-changing superstars. Dallas Stars fans already know a little something about this.

Make no mistake, there is always talent to be uncovered deep in the weeds of the NHL draft. It just takes a little more work to find it, and a little more time to develop it. All picks, even up to the very last one in the draft’s 7th round, should always be considered as a true, legitimate chance to find future NHL talent.

Over the past week I’ve written about prospects that would be great fits for the Dallas Stars in the 2nd round and in the 3rd round. Today, I’ll cover rounds 4-7, all in one fell swoop. The Stars have one selection in each round, the overall numbers of which are listed.

I did this exact same exercise last draft, and as luck would have it, one of the prospects that I profiled as a good 6th round target – Ondrej Vala – wound up getting signed by the Stars as a free agent in September after going undrafted.

As a guideline, I’ll be primarily focusing on the same outlined Stars draft needs that I mentioned in my previous two articles:

  • 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 in each round (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.

This is a long article, so let’s dig in now, shall we?

Round 4 – 101st Overall

Jordy Bellerive – Center – Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)

The former 2nd overall pick in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft, Bellerive is a small, skilled center that is also an excellent agitator. Has great offensive awareness, is tenacious on the forecheck, and plays a very chippy game. Has Top 6 potential, but if that doesn’t pan out, he should be able to carve out an NHL role as a Bottom 6 character guy.

Kasper Kotkansalo – Defense – Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)

Kotkansalo is a steady, trustworthy defensive-defenseman. He’s big at 6’2” and can cover ice quickly, although he prefers to not take many offensive risks. Is poised with the puck on both outlet passes and zone clears. Won gold with Finland at the 2016 IIHF U18s and is now heading to Boston University, one of the best programs in the NCAA.

Kirill Slepets – Right Wing – Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

A speedy, slippery winger, Slepets was very solid for Russia at the 2017 U18s, with four goals and six points in seven games. He aggressively pursues the puck in the offensive zone and can pickpocket defenders. Can confidently move through traffic and has a quick, accurate wrist shot that he can utilize when he gets into dangerous scoring areas.

Joel Teasdale – Left Wing – Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

Teasdale is just scratching the surface of what he is capable of. A 200-foot forward that makes smart decisions with the puck and drives possession. Is incredibly reliable and efficient for his age. Might never be the best player on his line, but he’s the type of player that will make his linemates better. A safe pick that could become so much more.

Kirill Ustimenko – Goaltender – Dynamo St. Petersburg (MHL)

Ustimenko made a statement at this year’s U18s, getting a surprise start for Russia in the bronze medal game and delivering a 30-save shutout. Has the ideal combination of size and mobility in net, and complements that with impressive composure and advanced rebound control. Posted a .938 save percentage this season in Russia’s top junior league.

Round 5 – 132nd Overall

Dereck Baribeau – Goaltender – Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

A tall, lanky goaltender, Baribeau is incredibly raw, but has enough tantalizing attributes to be molded into a top goaltender with enough time and development. Naturally covers a lot of net because of his size, can kick out his legs quickly, and fights for his crease. Still needs a lot of work with his positioning, line-of-sight, and lateral mobility.

Noah Cates – Center – Omaha Lancers (USHL)

Cates tore it up in Minnesota high school hockey this season, picking up 20 goals and 65 points in 25 games. He followed that up with an impressive, albeit short, stint in the USHL, where he added seven points in 11 games. A crisp puck-handler and passer that can quarterback a powerplay. He also once scored one of the best goals that you’ll ever see:

Patrik Hrehorcak – Right Wing – HC Trinec (Czech U20)

A fast, shifty winger that loves to fire pucks at opposing netminders. He’s constantly getting scoring chances in high-danger areas, whether by taking the puck there himself or by using his high-end awareness to find holes to sneak into. Will probably be a staple for Slovakia at future international events, which will be a nice development boon.

Ben Jones – Center – Niagara IceDogs (OHL)

Jones is a versatile, workhorse pivot that can contribute to a team in a number of different ways. Was asked to be the number one center on a bad team at just 17 years of age and he held his own. Faceoff specialist. Not a flashy offensive player, but picked up 50 points in 63 games and will get plenty of chances to continue growing in that area.

Sami Moilanen – Right Wing – Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

Moilanen is small, at roughly 5’9”, but he’s an explosive skater and surprisingly strong on his feet. Generates a lot of power in his short, quick strides and can blow by defenders. Great penalty killer. Seattle has a bunch of top forwards turning pro this summer, so expect Moilanen to be heavily relied-upon and get a ton of ice time in all situations.

Round 6 – 163rd Overall

Stephen Dhillon – Goaltender – Niagara IceDogs (OHL)

One of the top overage prospects in this year’s draft, Dhillon is a huge stopper that was a bonafide number one goalie for Niagara this past season. He was regularly put under siege but always seemed to hold his own and keep his team in games, winning some single-handedly. Could he be something special playing behind a better team in the future?

Jan Kern – Left Wing – HC Sparta Praha (Czech U20)

Kern is a feisty, puck-moving winger that tries to play bigger than his small size. Isn’t afraid to go into traffic or to the net for chances, even if he gets roughed up. Doesn’t really excel in any particular areas, but he has a nice blend of awareness, work ethic, mobility and puck skills. An easily likable player that consistently puts in an honest effort.

David Kvasnicka – Defense – HC Plzen (Czech Extraliga)

If a team is looking for a high-risk, high-reward defenseman in a late round, Kvasnicka is your man. He’s an excellent skater, one of the fastest in the draft at any position. Loves to jump up into the offense and can make skilled plays with the puck. However, he is reckless defensively and badly lacks strength. Long-term project with a high ceiling.

Artur Tyanulin – Right Wing – Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

Tyanulin is an endlessly entertaining winger that dangles the puck on a string. A lot of coaches would pull their hair out at him skating circles in the offensive zone with the puck, but his creativity is superb and he generates chances that other forwards simply cannot. No defense? No problem. The real concern is whether he wants to head home to Russia.

Linus Weissbach – Left Wing – Tri-City Storm (USHL)

A lightning-fast winger with amazing acceleration and top gear. Can make dazzling plays at full speed but can also stop on a dime to handle the puck in tight spaces, breaking the ankles of opposing players in the process. The obvious concern is his diminutive size, at 5’8” and roughly 154 pounds, but you can’t hit what you can’t catch.

Round 7 – 194th Overall

Pontus Eltonius – Goaltender – Växjö Lakers (SuperElit)

A large overage netminder that might possess all the tools needed to be successful in the NHL. Tracks the play with clarity and focus, generates strong, controlled push-offs in his crease, and even displays a snazzy glove hand. Didn’t get a chance to play in either of Sweden’s top two pro leagues, but was nearly unbeatable in the junior SuperElit.

Parker Kelly – Center – Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

A skilled, heart-and-soul center that flew under the radar on an awful Prince Albert team. Carries the puck with speed and confidence through the neutral zone and takes sharp cuts to the net with it. Can move the puck on the powerplay and is dangerous on the kill. Wore a letter at 17. The Raiders will be great in two years, and Kelly will be a leader.

Matteo Gennaro – Center – Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

Gennaro was a 7th round pick of the Winnipeg Jets in the 2015 draft, but surprisingly, was not signed to a contract and now re-enters the draft. Notched 43 goals in 69 games without much offensive support around him. A big center with a heavy, accurate release on both wrist shots and one-timers. Does his best work with a man-advantage.

Max Martin – Defense – Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

A mobile, puck-moving defenseman that hit a brick wall following a mid-season trade from the Prince George Cougars to Prince Albert, but eventually found his legs again and finished with 33 points. Keeps his feet moving and makes an impact on the powerplay, finding holes for passes. Intriguing upside, but defensive game needs serious work.

Ivan Prosvetov – Goaltender – Minnesota Magicians (NAHL)

The numbers attached to Prosvetov are incredibly compelling: a height of 6’5”, a weight of 185 pounds, and most impressive of all, a .928 save percentage in 44 games. So why is he only listed 31st among North American goalies by NHL Central Scouting? Scouting reports and videos are hard to find, which doesn’t help. There could be something here.

Talking Points