The Dallas Stars’ 2017 NHL Draft class is already loaded. Miro Heiskanen, Jake Oettinger, and Jason Robertson, the team’s top three picks, have all already made significant contributions on the NHL level.
Could fifth round pick Jacob Peterson soon join them?
“He’s looked very good and he’s fit in with whoever you’ve played him with,” [head coach Rick] Bowness said. “He played with [Tyler Seguin] the other night. The guys love playing with him because he’s got such good hockey sense and skills. He makes plays and he kills penalties, he’s good on the power play. We want to keep looking at him but he’s put himself in a position, in a serious position, to make the hockey club. He’s been that good.”
If the Stars elect to carry fourteen forwards on the roster, there’s a spot open for Peterson. Of course, the best thing for Peterson’s development right now is playing time, which means a return to the AHL is more likely. But he’s certainly making the choice difficult for Dallas:
“I think his skill is the first thing but the thing I noticed right away was his confidence and his mind,” Seguin said. “He’s not your typical rookie… I went to kind of help him and he didn’t need my help. You don’t see that too often. Realizing he’s 22 years old, he’s played pro already over in Sweden, he’s going to be a heck of a hockey player.”
You can read more from Saad Yousuf here.
Stars Stories
With his solid play this preseason, has Braden Holtby lured us into a false sense of security primed for a bounce back season?
NEW from @MDeFranks ✍️
Braden Holtby’s latest preseason performance may provide Stars some clarity in the net 🏒💥🥅
Read more here 👇 #GoStarshttps://t.co/CmB7bhXuMf
— SportsDay Stars (@dmn_stars) October 6, 2021
Do the Stars have a legitimate shot at the Stanley Cup this year? Their free agent signings are banking on it:
Pursuit of a Cup: Why Glendening and Raffl chose to sign with Stars https://t.co/I3ZD3QG5HV via @NHLdotcom
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) October 5, 2021
Around the League
Speaking of which, where do the Dallas Stars fall in the league’s hierarchy? Down Goes Brown breaks up all 32(!) teams by contender status:
From the bottom-feeders to the true contenders and of course the your-guess-is-as-good-as-mine group, it’s my annual attempt to figure out where all 32 teams are going to end up. https://t.co/NFqQC17pfH pic.twitter.com/FGD6UngDu3
— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) October 5, 2021
Various stoppages throughout his career have hindered his progress, but Alex Ovechkin could still break Wayne Gretzky’s goals scored record:
Can Alex Ovechkin (still) break Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record?
Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, Nathan MacKinnon, Steven Stamkos, Mark Messier, Ovie’s 1st linemate and the man himself discuss how Ovechkin got this far … and whether he’ll hit 895.https://t.co/1BFODu8iAU
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) October 6, 2021
The latest in the Evander Kane saga:
An investigation is underway of San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane over allegations he violated the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols by using a fake vaccination card.https://t.co/V6xDJUGJ9j
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) October 6, 2021
Finally, let’s check in on Stars alumni Justin Dowling:
Justin Dowling looks like a good bet to start the season with the Vancouver Canucks. (By @imacSportsnet)https://t.co/vlAN2R8dfu
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 6, 2021