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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Logan Stankoven Is Really, Really Real

Posted on by Kathleen Tibbetts

The Dallas Stars don’t get much credit for winning the offseason, and rightly so. That said, the 2021 NHL Draft may have been their best in years, and Logan Stankoven was one of its biggest highlights.

Stankoven’s selection was a particularly important signal to fans that the Stars were more interested in drafting for skill than for size. The Dallas Morning News’ Matthew DeFranks has done the sums: Only 17 current NHL forwards are 5-9 or under. Seven of those were undrafted, and only Tyler Ennis and Kailer Yamamoto went in the first round.

At 5-8, Stankoven currently uses his speed and skill to run up the score with the Kamloops Blazers – to the tune of nine goals and 10 assists in 12 games so far this season:

Does he get tired of talking about his height?

“I don’t know, not really,” Stankoven said. “I guess it’s something that I have to embrace. Being a smaller guy, you can’t shy away from it. I don’t know. It’s not really something that I think about too much. I know a lot of other people doubt me at times with my size, but I don’t think it really affects my game too much.”

The Stars were impressed by Stankoven’s preseason performance, both in camp and at the Traverse City Prospects Tournament. And they didn’t waste time in signing him to his three-year entry-level contract on September 28. The Blazers’ co-captain is lauded for his hockey IQ, but he also believes that like any other tool, it can be sharpened:

In Kamloops, Stankoven can often be found by the team’s shooting area, a space with fake ice and a real net where the 18-year-old can refine his shot. He works on a quick release, or a backhand and is typically found there after the Blazers complete their practice for the day.

“I spend a lot of time there,” Stankoven said. “Usually just stick-handling or working on different types of shots. I think having a good shot is really important, being deceptive and knowing what goalies tend to do and where their weaknesses are.”

Matt has more (behind the paywall). [SportsDayDFW]

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