Dallas Stars fans will be out in force for the 2018 NHL Draft. But what can they expect with that first-round pick?
Stars senior writer Mike Heika has taken his best shot at making sense of a remarkably fluid list of top-31 talent. But first, he offers this bit of insight:
The Stars are expected to take the “best player available,” so there is a chance they add to their deep group of defensive prospects. But they need a center and it looks like they could have a solid group of forwards to choose from at 13th. That could mean they just have to wait to see which forwards fall.
Mock drafts are always fun, and Heika guesstimates landing places for several much-discussed prospects. It’s an interesting field, from the big names (Rasmus Dahlin, consensus No. 1 overall, everyone) to the rising, uhhh, stars (Jesper Kotkaniemi, a possible pickup for the hated Chicago Blackhawks, who “will take him if he is there”).
Will Dallas go with Barrett Hayton instead of a rankings near-neighbor like Joel Farabee, Rasmus Kupari, or Grigori Denisenko? Which hot prospect could fall into the team’s lap? Will DBD readers burn down the internets over the suggestion that the ’Hawks will draft Kotkaniemi and sleeper pick Dominik Bokk?
Let’s find out. [Dallas Stars]
More Stars: Draft Days Edition
Because there’s never an overdose of mock drafts, check out SportsDayDFW’s roundup.
Stars mock #NHLDraft roundup: Experts think Dallas will pick a center, but which one? https://t.co/Vr5jaBVyp2
— SportsDay Stars (@dmn_stars) June 19, 2018
From Jere Lehtinen to Stephen Johns to Jamie Benn, the Stars have put together quite a list of players and alumni for Friday’s autograph sessions. Just remember that you need to register for a free Fan Fest ticket to attend.
Stars alumni and current players will be signing autographs all day Friday at the Draft Fan Fest presented by Denny’s. Make sure to reserve your free ticket!
TICKETS: https://t.co/vtI5wrBuOc pic.twitter.com/vUlsdvrbiK
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) June 18, 2018
The NHL Draft storylines are everywhere you look this week, and one of them is Southlake native and Dallas Stars U16 alumnus Ryan O’Reilly. The center/RW, ranked No. 58 by NHL Central Scouting, has the chance to be drafted in front of his home crowd this weekend.
The other Ryan O’Reilly is ready to hear his name at the NHL draft in his hometown https://t.co/iG9zN7kVaF
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) June 18, 2018
TSN’s Bob McKenzie has put together his final 2018 draft rankings, and it’s great reading.
Did you miss @TSNBobMcKenzie‘s Final Pre-Draft Rankings?
Watch the full show HERE: https://t.co/A9KuQN7Img
Read the full rankings HERE: https://t.co/wBbCnv7B8o#2018NHLDraft #DraftCentre pic.twitter.com/thCqJcPe47
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 19, 2018
It’s pretty heartbreaking when a hockey hopeful attends the draft and goes home unselected. Ryan Kennedy talked to sports agents about the factors prospects should consider before they travel.
When should a player attend the NHL draft? @THNRyanKennedy looks at a decision that can sometimes end in tears https://t.co/dIYOGZ953k
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) June 19, 2018
Around the League(s)
The 2018 NHL Awards go live from Vegas at 7 p.m. CDT tomorrow night (Wednesday, June 20) on NBCSN and Sportsnet. One of the highlights: EA Sports.
We’ll give you a hint, he’s never been on the cover before! 😉 #NHL19 pic.twitter.com/pVMROamMAN
— #NHL19 (@EASPORTSNHL) June 18, 2018
This year’s show will also remember three tragedies that united the hockey community during 2017-18.
Per the NHL, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas hockey team will be honored at the NHL Awards on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/seq3TwPudb
— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) June 18, 2018
It’s going to be pretty incredible when 10 members of the Humboldt Broncos reunite for the first time since the crash at the NHL Awards on Weds. Unfortunately, there are still two players in the hospital that are not in condition to travel. https://t.co/FjKKgZGKVn
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) June 18, 2018
But Alex Ovechkin’s seventh career Rocket Richard Award could be overshadowed by the resignation of Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz – apparently after he asked for a major raise to go with his automatic two-year contract extension.
Contract ask led to breakup between Barry Trotz, Capitals https://t.co/iS3EOR51YL
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) June 18, 2018
I’m hearing Trotz sought 5 years at $5 million per and there wasn’t a whole lot of movement off those numbers. That salary would have put Trotz on par with Julien and behind Quenneville and Babcock, who earn $6 million and $6.25 million, respectively.
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) June 18, 2018
Former Stars head coach Dave Tippett will bring his expertise to the issue of bringing the NHL to Seattle. Could he also become the prospective new franchise’s first head coach?
Dave Tippett joins NHL Seattle expansion group as senior adviser https://t.co/72LYKlW6Zv pic.twitter.com/79gzJuE0Cn
— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) June 18, 2018
Finally
Texas Stars goalie Mike McKenna is a bottomless cup of quotes. Enjoy.
If you want to crush your 5 year old daughter’s soul, ask her to choose a limited number of stuffed animals for vacation.
I caved. They’re all coming. Please don’t tell anyone that I might have to negotiate with in the future.
— Mike McKenna (@MikeMcKenna56) June 19, 2018