With just days left until the 2016 NHL Draft, talk is ramping up about which teams will pick which players. Mark Stepneski checks in with Stars GM Jim Nill to get his take on this year’s draft.
The Stars currently have six picks in this year’s draft, including the 25th overall selection in the first round. None on this year’s picks is expected to make an immediate impact, but like with any draft the goal is to land some help for down the road.
“They may not be a player right away. Once you get past that top ten the development is more likely to be the three or four-year plan instead of one to three years,” Nill said.
Joe McDonnell, the Stars Director of Amateur Scouting, had this to say about what the team is looking for in a player.
The Stars have about 180 players on their list heading into the draft. There’s nothing fancy in how they evaluate players as they scout the various junior leagues around the globe, colleges, and the European pro leagues. It is pretty straight forward and what you would expect.
“Skill level. Skill, size, and skating that you would be looking at, and your hockey sense,” McDonnell said.
There’s more on the draft at the link. [Stars Inside Edge]
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The latest iteration of the Stars Roundtable breaks down what the team might do about goaltending.
Could Jason Demers be a good fit for the Maple Leafs? [Pension Puppet Plans]
And speaking of Demers, James Mirtle reported that the defenseman is asking in the $5.5 million per season range. Sean Shapiro cast a little doubt on that possibility, though.
Source has told me report of Jason Demers seeking $5.5 million may be overblown. We will have to see what happens.
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) June 20, 2016
In goalie news, former Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen will now be in net in Toronto.
.@MapleLeafs have acquired G Frederik Andersen from Anaheim for the 30th pick in the 2016 NHL Draft & a 2nd round pick in 2017. #TMLtalk
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) June 20, 2016
Here’s more on what that move means for Toronto, who also inked Andersen to a 5-year extension. [Toronto Star]
There have also been some rumblings surrounding Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper.
#MNWild GM Chuck Fletcher says he’s fielded some calls on Darcy Kuemper but adds he’s “a little hesitant” to trade him.
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) June 20, 2016
As July 1st creeps closer and closer, #StamkosWatch continues. As GM Steve Yzerman put it, they can’t make Stamkos sign a contract. [Tampa Bay]
Get to know some of the top goalie prospects in the 2016 NHL Draft. [Sports Illustrated]
Alex Goligoski is weighing his options in the desert.
Alex Goligoski is touring around Arizona today after having his rights acquired by #coyotes. Sides haven’t had serious contract talks yet.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 20, 2016
Auston Matthews is still the presumptive No. 1 pick. [NHL]
Get to know Tyson Jost, a potential first-round draft pick who also happens to be color blind. [Grand Forks Herald]
The Rangers also got in on the trade fun yesterday, sending Keith Yandle‘s rights to the Panthers.
Rangers move Yandle’s rights to Panthers for sixth round pick and another conditional pick. Likely on basis he signs in Florida.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) June 20, 2016
The Predators traded Jimmy Vesey‘s rights to the Sabres in exchange for a 2016 third-round pick. [Sports Illustrated]
Sean McIndoe brings you up to date on everything that happened in the hockey world over the weekend. [VICE]
And finally, mark this on your calendar, and stay tuned today for the full season schedule. (Game 2 is likely in Colorado.)
#Stars will face the Anaheim Ducks on October 13 at AAC for 2016-17 Opening Night pic.twitter.com/wNw89chqMa
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) June 20, 2016