With nearly a third of the junior seasons having been played it’s time to take a look at how the Dallas Stars prospects match up against each other.
Derek and I came up with our own rankings and merged them together to create this list.
The definition of prospect that we are using is the same as we did in the summer and how others measure prospect eligibility.
Prospect Definition:
“Any player who has played fewer than 25 NHL games last season, or fewer than 50 NHL games overall is considered a prospect — the upper limit on the age cutoff is now 26 years old.”
This is the same system that prospect gurus such as Corey Pronman use when ranking prospects.
So without any further ado, here are Defending Big D’s Top 20 Dallas Stars Prospects:
| Ranking | Player | Explanation |
| 1 | Valeri Nichushkin | Big, fast, and highly skilled, Nichushkin is an electrifying prospect. Already playing on Dallas’ top line and doesn’t look out of place |
| 2 | Alex Chiasson | The rapid goal-scoring pace came to its eventual end, but Chiasson still remains a reliable, two-way top six forward at only 23 years of age |
| 3 | Jack Campbell | A knee injury has limited Campbell to only three starts this season, but his development remains on track. Still has #1 goalie potential |
| 4 | Jamie Oleksiak | Despite a slow start to the season, Oleksiak is still the team’s best defensive prospect. Should be an NHL regular in the near future |
| 5 | Brett Ritchie | Has transitioned from the OHL to the AHL very nicely, with 15 points in his first 21 games this year. Could compete for an NHL role next season |
| 6 | John Klingberg | The Swedish offensive defenceman plays a similar style to Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson. His move to the AHL next year is already highly anticipated |
| 7 | Ludwig Bystrom | Quietly rising up Dallas’ prospect ranks, Bystrom is a smooth two-way blueliner putting up impressive numbers in the Swedish Hockey League |
| 8 | Jason Dickinson | A great blend of size and skill, Dickinson is still figuring out how to use his natural abilities, but has a very high ceiling |
| 9 | Devin Shore | A center that can both pass and score, Shore led his NCAA team in points as a freshman, and is doing so again this year as a 19 year-old |
| 10 | Radek Faksa | Although a shutdown force up the middle, Faksa’ scoring output has never matched his draft year’s. Could really use a change in scenery |
| 11 | Patrik Nemeth | Excellent size and defensive instincts, but has faced some injury issues. Could be a great shutdown defenceman if he can remain healthy |
| 12 | Matej Stransky | Rookie pro hasn’t adjusted as quickly as Brett Ritchie has, but still has great size and scoring touch. Needs another year or two in the AHL |
| 13 | Kevin Connauton | Skilled defenceman made Dallas’ roster out of training camp, but has only played once. Needs to get into more NHL games soon |
| 14 | Scott Glennie | Glennie has played well while in the lineup for the Texas Stars, but injury problems persist. Could be running out of time as younger prospects develop |
| 15 | Jyrki Jokipakka | Good size and puck-moving abilities. Smoothly made the transition from Finland to North America and is earning his ice time for Texas |
| 16 | Alex Guptill | Led his NCAA team in scoring the last two seasons, but has had issues with work ethic and attitude. Might struggle to adjust to pro levels |
| 17 | Remi Elie | A huge gamble of a pick in the second round of the 2013 draft, Elie has impressed this year. Plays with speed, skill and tenacity |
| 18 | Philippe Desrosiers | Flexible, competitive athlete learning how to be a #1 goalie. His stats might not look pretty, but QMJHL is an offense-first league. |
| 19 | Cole Ully | Looking more and more like a steal as a 5th round pick, Ully is a point-per-game player in the WHL and is doing so with little help from his team |
| 20 | Gemel Smith | One of the OHL’s leading goal-scorers, with 20 in 26 games. Tiny size, but excellent speed and skating. Could become either scorer or energy player |