Tag: Miro Heiskanen

Top 30 Prospects – Q1 2019

Dallas Stars top-30 prospect rankings updated mid-way through the first quarter of 2019.

The Roe Report will provide quarterly updates on prospects in the Dallas Stars organization throughout the year.  Players will be considered prospects until they have played 30 NHL games or advance past the age of 25.  Below are our prospect rankings just before the 2019 NHL trade deadline.

 

1) Jason Robertson, LW

  • Previous Rank: 2
  • Stats: 37 goals and 83 points in 44 games
  • Ceiling: First line winger
  • Robertson is dominating the OHL this season in his age 19 season scoring 37 goals in 44 games.  His is on track for his third straight 40-goal season and will likely finish with more than 50 goals.  Robertson is expect to join the Texas Stars at the end of the season and is the clear-cut top prospect in the Stars system.

 

2) Denis Gurianov, LW/RW

  • Previous Rank: 10
  • Stats: 34 points in 33 AHL games; four points in 16 NHL games
  • Ceiling: Top-6 winger
  • Props to Gurianov for his rapid development since last spring when he was a regular healthy scratch in the AHL playoffs.  Gurianov was an AHL All-Star this season and appears to have a regular spot on the Stars current bottom-six.  Gurianov has always had speed but his production has significantly improved this season equaling the total number of points scored all of last season with the Texas Stars in 41 fewer games.

 

3) Jake Oettinger, G

  • Previous Rank: 7
  • Stats: 2.68 GAA and .923 save percentage
  • Ceiling: NHL starting goaltender
  • Oettinger is one of the top goaltending prospects in the game.  At 20 years old, he continues to put up strong numbers despite having a poor team in front of him at Boston University.  Good chance Oettinger turns pro after the season and is with the Texas Stars in 2019-20.

 

4) Ty Dellandrea, C

  • Previous Rank: 6
  • Stats: 17 goals and 52 points in 46 games
  • Ceiling: Middle-6 center
  • Dellandrea has made improvements this season and is putting up more points than last year.  The first round pick from last June is an extremely safe prospect to project as an NHL player.  The Stars are hoping he’s the next Mike Fisher but he reminds me more of Jason Dickinson.

 

5) Gavin Bayreuther, D

  • Previous Rank: 13
  • Stats: 13 points in 22 AHL games, 5 points in 19 NHL games
  • Ceiling: Second pairing defenseman and power play specialist
  • Bayreuther made my top-5 for one reason: his slap shot.  It’s elite and he’s already demonstrated that it can be a weapon on an NHL power play.  There is still work to be done with his development but Bayreuther looks like a regular on a future NHL blueline.

 

6) Tye Felhaber, RW

  • Previous Rank: Not Ranked
  • Stats: 53 goals and 91 points in 51 games
  • Ceiling: Top-6 winger
  • Can a prospect really go from undrafted OHL overager to top-10 prospect in an NHL organization?  I might have him a little high on this list but it’s because Felhaber’s upside is a top-6, goal-scoring winger.  That is something the Stars lack in their system outside of Robertson and Gurianov.  Dallas was not the only team trying to sign the 20-year-old as up to 20 teams were reportedly interested.  Felhaber leads the entire OHL is goals and points.  He is on pace to score over 70 goals this season.

 

7) Colton Point, G

  • Previous Rank: 4
  • Stats:  7 wins, 3.55 GAA, .870 save percentage
  • Upside: NHL starting goaltender
  • Point has struggled in his first pro season after an absolutely dominant season at Colgate University last year (1.74 GAA and .944 save percentage).  The 20-year-old played in six games with the Texas Stars but struggled mightily with a 3.79 GAA and a .857 save percentage.  Point has played better after a demotion to the ECHL putting up 3.31 GAA and a .884 save percentage.  It’s a long, hard road to develop goaltenders and this is just part of the journey for most netminders.

 

8)  Albin Eriksson, RW

  • Previous Rank: 9
  • Stats: 12 points in 33 games
  • Upside: Second line winger
  • Eriksson is one of the most intriguing prospects in the Stars system with his combination of size (6-4, 207 as an 18-year-old) and speed.  His numbers are up this season but he is expected to need another full season in Sweden in 2019-2020 before potentially coming over to North American for the 2020-2021 season.

 

9) Joel L’Esperance, RW

  • Previous Rank: 25
  • Stats: 24 goals and 39 points in 45 games
  • Upside: Middle-6 winger
  • L’Esperance is yet another undrafted free agent signing that the Stars seem to have struck gold with.  The 23-year-old has 24 goals with the Texas Stars this year to lead the entire league.  He also made the AHL All-Star team as a rookie.  Maybe most impressively is his play as a two-way forward.

 

10) Rhett Gardner, C

  • Previous Rank: 11
  • Stats: 8 goals and 11 points in 27 games
  • Upside: Shutdown center
  • The next two players go together but that was not the plan for the Stars organization.  I have Rhett Gardner ranked higher than Riley Tufte in this batch of rankings because they both project to be in similar roles at the pro level – bottom-6 defensive minded forwards – but Gardner is currently better in this role than Tufte is.  He’s one of the captains for his University of North Dakota team, he’s a great faceoff guy, and he’s the reigning defensive forward of the year in his conference.

 

11) Riley Tufte, LW

  • Previous Rank: 5
  • Stats: 5 goals and 12 points in 26 games
  • Upside: Bottom-6 winger
  • Tufte is one of the biggest disappointments so far in the 2018-19 season and has fallen out of the top-5 prospects in our rankings.  After an encouraging sophomore season where he scored 16 goals and 29 points in 42 games, Tufte has regressed significantly this year scoring just five goals and 12 points in 26 games.  No one is expecting him to be an offensive force at the next level but it’s hard to be anything but disappointed with the former first rounder’s development so far this season.

 

12) Joseph Cecconi, D

  • Previous Rank: 8
  • Stats: 2 goals and 17 points in 28 games
  • Upside: Second pairing defenseman
  • Cecconi continues serving as a top pairing defenseman for the University of Michigan.  He numbers are down slightly from last year, but point-production is not a big part of his game.  Excitement for Cecconi is tempered for now as rumors persist that he will opt for free agency this summer instead of signing a pro contract with the Stars.

 

13) Oskar Back, C

  • Previous Rank: 18
  • Stats: 4 goals and 18 points in 37 games
  • Upside: Middle-6 forward
  • Back was the Stars third round pick in last summer’s draft.  He already has great size (6-2, 192) and plays a responsible game in both ends of the ice.

 

14) Ben Gleason, D

  • Previous Rank: 19
  • Stats: 5 goals and 25 points in 43 AHL games, 1 assist in four NHL games
  • Upside: Third pairing defenseman
  • The Stars have struggled in the draft but have been pretty successful at finding gems in the undrafted free agent market.  Gleason is one of four undrafted free agents in the top-15 of these rankings.  Gleason signed with the Stars after a 48-point season with Hamilton of the OHL last year and a successful showing at the prospect tournament before the season.  Gleason has immediately produced at the AHL level with 25 points this season and a short stint in the NHL.  Still work to be done on the defensive end if he wants to be a regular in the NHL but I expect he will have an NHL career with his offensive skill set.

 

15) Adam Mascherin, LW

  • Previous Rank: 12
  • Stats: 15 goals and 29 points in 45 games
  • Upside: Middle-6 winger
  • Mascherin is having a solid rookie season with the AHL scoring 15 goals in 45 games.  He has been overshadowed a bit by fellow rookie L’Esperance.  Mascherin has the hockey sense and hands to play at the NHL level, but his size (5-9) and questionable skating ability will hold him back.  It’s tough to project him as an NHL regular without significant improvement to his skating.

 

16) Nick Caamano, RW

  • Previous Rank: 14
  • Stats: 6 goals and 14 assists in 45 games with Texas of the AHL
  • Upside: Fourth line winger

 

17) Riley Damiani, C

  • Previous Rank: 26
  • Stats: 20 goals and 59 points in 41 games
  • Upside: Top-6 winger

 

18) Liam Hawel, C

  • Previous Rank: 28
  • Stats: 28 goals and 57 points in 49 games
  • Upside: Middle-6 forward

 

19) Jakob Stenqvist, D

  • Previous Rank: 21
  • Stats: 6 goals and 18 points in 44 games with Bjorkloven in Sweden
  • Upside: Third pairing defenseman

 

20) Landon Bow, G

  • Previous Rank: 23
  • Stats: 2.70 GAA and .902 save percentage in 34 games with Texas of the AHL, 0.00 GAA and 1.000 save percentage in two NHL games
  • Upside: NHL back-up goalie

 

21) Jacob Peterson, C

  • Previous Rank: 24
  • Stats: 13 goals and 24 points in 42 games with Bjorkloven in Sweden
  • Upside: Middle-6 forward

 

22) Fredrik Karlstrom, C

  • Previous Rank: 17
  • Stats: 4 goals and 8 points in 32 games with Linkopings in Sweden
  • Upside: Bottom-6 forward

 

23) Dawson Barteaux, D

  • Previous Rank: 29
  • Stats: 6 goals and 26 points in 50 games with Red Deer of the WHL
  • Upside: Third pairing defenseman and power play specialist

 

24) Dillion Heatherington, D

  • Previous Rank: 15
  • Stats: 1 goal and 14 points in 44 games with Texas of the AHL, one assist in 5 games in the NHL
  • Upside: NHL seventh defenseman

 

25) Brett Davis, RW

  • Previous Rank: 27
  • Stats: 16 goals and 40 points in 47 games in the WHL (Kootenay and Red Deer)
  • Upside: Bottom-6 winger

 

26) Philippe Derosiers, G

  • Previous Rank: Not Ranked
  • Stats: 2.76 GAA and .911 save percentage in 6 games with Idaho of the ECHL, 2.97 GAA and .891 save percentage in 10 games with Texas of the AHL
  • Upside: AHL starting goaltender

 

27) Curtis Douglas, C/LW

  • Previous Rank: 22
  • Stats: 20 goals and 37 points in 52 games
  • Upside: AHL goal-scorer

 

28) Jermaine Loewen, RW

  • Previous Rank: 19
  • Stats: 19 goals and 27 points in 42 games with Kamloops of the WHL
  • Upside: AHL grinder

 

29) Ondrej Vala, D

  • Previous Rank: Not Ranked
  • Stats: 1 point in 9 games with Texas of the AHL, 8 points in 31 games with Idaho of the ECHL
  • Upside: Top-4 AHL defenseman

 

30) Tony Calderone, RW

  • Previous Rank: Not Ranked
  • Stats: 6 points in 15 games with Texas of the AHL, 14 points in 18 games with Idaho of the ECHL
  • Upside: AHL two-way player

 

GRADUATED:

  • Miro Heiskanen, D
  • Roope Hintz, C/W

 

NO LONGER RANKED:

  • John Nyberg, D
  • Niklas Hansson, D

 

 

Brian Roe is the founder and head writer of The Roe Report.  He spent five years working for the Dallas Stars  and has been a contributor at Hockey’s Future, The Hockey Writers, NHL Intel, and more.  Follow Brian on Twitter @brianproe.

Text Me Tuesday – October 2, 2018

In this week’s Text Me Tuesday, we discuss Jason Spezza, Erik Karlsson, Jim Nill, and more.

In this week’s Text Me Tuesday, Brian and friends discuss Jason Spezza’s fit with Jim Montgomery, the Erik Karlsson trade, Jim Nill’s job security, and sandwiches.

Please note these are actual text exchanges between Brian and someone in his phone.  If you would like to be featured in a future Text Me Tuesday, please text, tweet, or e-mail Brian.  Contact information is listed below.

Alright, let’s read some texts …

 

Francois and Brian Discuss Erik Karlsson and the Central Division 

Francois: Where do you think we missed on the Karlsson trade?

Brian: I don’t think the Stars missed on the Erik Karlsson deal.  I wish he was in Dallas instead of San Jose but Miro Heiskanen is a more valuable asset in a hard cap league than Karlsson is right now.  Trading for EK makes it much easier to make the playoffs this year – and in turn for Jim Nill to keep his job – but Nill was right to protect the long-term outlook of the franchise by holding on to Heiskanen.

Francois: For sure.  I think this is a make or break year for the organization.  We’ve taken a lot of steps forward but I wonder how much runway Jim Nill has left.  If the Stars don’t make a playoff run this year, do we see a change in the front office next April?

Brian: I do think this is a make or break year for Jim Nill.  Tough to justify another non-playoff season with the type of talent the Stars have.  After chasing Karlsson and John Tavares in the off-season, I imagine we will try to acquire another impact player between now and the trade deadline.  That may decide the fate of the 2018-19 season for the Stars and the fate of Jim Nill moving forward.

Francois: How do you think we stack up against the likes of Nashville, St. Louis, and Winnipeg?

Brian: I don’t think the Stars are at the same level of the Jets or Predators.  Not yet, but that’s ok.  Just get into the playoffs and you have a shot.  A good goal for Dallas this year is to finish anywhere in the top eight.

 

Jeff, Blake, and Brian Discuss Jason Spezza, NHL Farm Teams, and Job Security 

Jeff: How do you think Spezza will be with Monty?

Brian: Well, it’s a much better fit than Hitch.  Spezza is older and slower now though; Monty likes to play fast.  I think if you put two strong wingers – let’s say Janmark and one of Radulov/Pitlick/Comeau – and you have the right defensive pairing – maybe Heiskanen and Johns – then you could survive one more season with Spezza as your No. 2 center.

Blake: Yeah I agree.  We might need someone better than Spezza.  Look at this Sporting News article on NHL farm systems.  Stars are 26th.

Jeff: Not surprised.  Like Brian has said, the drafting has been suspect.

Brian: This is what happens when you don’t respect the draft process.  Imagine where the Stars would be ranked if we didn’t get the gift of Heiskanen from the hockey gods.

Jeff: Nill better watch out.  Jim, do you like this gig?

Brian: No, that wasn’t the question.  Do you like your job?

Blake: Haha.  Well, 2017 looked good, but other than that it has been weak.

Brian: I do like how the Penguins have the worst farm system in hockey though.

Blake: That’s the best part!

 

Angel at the AAC and Brian Discuss Sandwiches 

Angel: BRoe!!!  Can’t wait to read our texts on your website one day.  It’s Angel by the way!

Brian: Hey!  Thanks for reading, Angel.  How are you?

Angel: Doing great!  I’m already in GO STARS mode and waiting for GO MAVS to start!  Will you put something about PB&J sandwiches in theroereport?

Editor’s Note – when Brian worked for the Dallas Stars and American Airlines Center, he would often bring a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner on game nights instead of eating the – let’s call it … questionable – food provided to employees. 

Brian: Ha, sure.  Sandwiches can appear in The Roe Report.  Any Stars questions?

Angel: Nope.  GO STARS!!!

 

Go Stars, indeed.  If you would like to discuss Dallas Stars hockey and appear in a future Text Me Tuesday with Brian, please send him a text (214-205-8160), an e-mail (brianproe@gmail.com), or a tweet (@brianproe) with the hashtag #TextMeTuesday.

 

Brian Roe is the founder and head writer of The Roe Report.  He spent five years working for the Dallas Stars  and has been a contributor at Hockey’s Future, The Hockey Writers, NHL Intel, and more.  Follow Brian on Twitter @brianproe.

 

Fantasy Hockey Preview

Ranking the top 100 players for fantasy hockey just ahead of the 2018-19 season.

The Roe Report will offer coverage of season-long fantasy hockey and daily fantasy hockey this year.

Here we rank the top 100 players in fantasy hockey this year and include ten rookies to watch.  Please remember these rankings are based on potential impact in fantasy hockey scoring not the value of a player’s overall game.

 

Centers

  1. Connor McDavid, EDM
  2. Nathan McKinnon, COL
  3. Sidney Crosby, PIT
  4. Steven Stamkos, TB
  5. Auston Matthews, TOR
  6. John Tavares, TOR
  7. Evgeni Malkin, PIT
  8. Mark Scheifele, WPG
  9. Tyler Seguin, DAL
  10. Jack Eichel, BUF
  11. Aleskander Barkov, FLA
  12. Evgeny Kuznetsov, WSH
  13. Anze Kopitar, LA
  14. Ryan Getzlaf, ANA
  15. Leon Draisaitl, EDM
  16. Mathew Barzal, NYI
  17. Vincent Trocheck, FLA
  18. Sean Monahan, CGY
  19. Brayden Point, TB
  20. William Karlsson, VGS
  21. Patrice Bergeron, BOS
  22. Logan Couture, SJ
  23. Sebastian Aho, CAR
  24. Nicklas Backstrom, WSH
  25. Sean Couturier, PHI

 

Left Wingers

  1. Brad Marchand, BOS
  2. Claude Giroux, PHI
  3. Alex Ovechkin, WSH
  4. Taylor Hall, NJ
  5. Johnny Gaudreau, CGY
  6. Jamie Benn, DAL
  7. Artemi Panarin, CBJ
  8. Filip Forsberg, NSH
  9. Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA
  10. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM
  11. Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG
  12. Rickard Rakell, ANA
  13. Kyle Connor, WPG
  14. Jonathan Marchessault, VGS
  15. Gabriel Landeskog, COL
  16. Max Pacioretty, VGS
  17. Matthew Tkachuk, CGY
  18. Jaden Schwartz, STL
  19. James van Riemsdyk, PHI
  20. Ilya Kovalchuk, LA

 

Right Wingers

  1. Nikita Kucherov, TB
  2. Patrik Laine, WPG
  3. Patrick Kane, CHI
  4. Vladimir Tarasenko, STL
  5. Blake Wheeler, WPG
  6. Mitch Marner, TOR
  7. Phil Kessel, PIT
  8. Brock Boeser, VAN
  9. Mikko Rantanen, COL
  10. Alexander Radulov, DAL
  11. Clayton Keller, ARI
  12. William Nylander, TOR
  13. Alex DeBrincat, CHI
  14. Mark Stone, OTT
  15. Mikeal Granlund, MIN
  16. Viktor Arvidsson, NSH
  17. Reilly Smith, VGS
  18. Evgenii Dadonov, FLA
  19. Travis Konecny, PHI
  20. T.J. Oshie, WSH

 

Defensemen 

  1. Erik Karlsson, SJ
  2. Victor Hedman, TB
  3. Brett Burns, SJ
  4. John Klingberg, DAL
  5. P.K. Subban, NSH
  6. Dustin Byfuglien, WPG
  7. John Carlson, WSH
  8. Drew Doughty, LA
  9. Seth Jones, CBJ
  10. Roman Josi, NSH
  11. Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI
  12. Tyson Barrie, COL
  13. Torey Krug, BOS
  14. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI
  15. Dougie Hamilton, CAR
  16. Alex Pietrangelo, STL
  17. Morgan Rielly, TOR
  18. Kris Letang, PIT
  19. Zach Werenski, CBJ
  20. Ryan Ellis, NSH

 

Goaltenders 

  1. Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB
  2. Connor Hellebuyck, WPG
  3. Sergei Bobrovsky, CBJ
  4. Braden Holtby, WSH
  5. Pekka Rinne, NSH
  6. John Gibson, ANA
  7. Tuukka Rask, BOS
  8. Frederik Andersen, TOR
  9. Martin Jones, SJ
  10. Jonathan Quick, LA
  11. Matt Murray, PIT
  12. Carey Price, MTL
  13. Antti Raanta, ARI
  14. Marc-Andre Fleury, VGS
  15. Devan Dubnyk, MIN

 

TOP 25 OVERALL

  1. McDavid, EDM
  2. McKinnon, COL
  3. Kucherov, TB
  4. Crosby, PIT
  5. Laine, WPG
  6. Stamkos, TB
  7. Marchand, BOS
  8. Ovechkin, WSH
  9. Giroux, PHI
  10. Matthews, TOR
  11. Tavares, NYI
  12. Malkin, PIT
  13. Scheifele, WPG
  14. Gaudreau, CGY
  15. Hall, NJ
  16. P. Kane, CHI
  17. Benn, DAL
  18. Karlsson, SJ
  19. Seguin, DAL
  20. Wheeler, WPG
  21. Vasilevskiy, TB
  22. Hellebuyck, WPG
  23. Hedman, TB
  24. Burns, SJ
  25. Bobrovsky, CBJ

 

TOP 10 ROOKIES

  1. C Casey Mittelstadt, BUF
  2. C Elias Pettersson, VAN
  3. RW Filip Zadina, DET
  4. RW Andrei Svechnikov, CAR
  5. D Rasmus Dahlin, BUF
  6. D Miro Heiskanen, DAL
  7. C Henrik Borgstrom, FLA
  8. LW Brady Tkachuk, OTT
  9. RW Troy Terry, ANA
  10. LW Eeli Tolvanen, NSH

 

Brian Roe is the founder and lead writer at The Roe Report.  He spent five years working for the Dallas Stars and was a contributor at Hockey’s Future, The Hockey Writers, and NHL Intel.  Follow Brian on Twitter @brianproe.

Top 30 Prospects – Q3 2018

Pre-season rankings of the top prospects in the Dallas Stars organization starting with the organization’s top ten prospects.

The Dallas Stars will begin their season next Thursday at the American Airlines Center, but a majority of the players in this organization have already started playing in various leagues all over the world.

The Roe Report will provide regular updates on the individual prospects production and health status throughout the season.  Players will be considered prospects until they have played 30 NHL games or advance past the age of 25.  So, for example, since Stars forward Jason Dickinson has now played 38 games at the NHL level he is no longer considered a prospect.

Expect this to be a regular series with updated prospect rankings being released at notable times throughout the year.  With that said, here is part-one of our Top 30 prospects series.

 

1) Miro Heiskanen

  • Age: 19
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Left
  • League: NHL – Dallas Stars
  • Acquired: 2017 1st round draft choice (Round 1, Pick 3)
  • Summary: Enjoy seeing Heiskanen on this list because it’s the only time he will ever appear.  The 19-year-old will skip the AHL level and jump straight into the Dallas Stars lineup this season.  As a top-3 draft choice in 2017 and an international sensation, Heiskanen is arguably the most heralded prospect to come through the Stars system since Mike Modano.  Expect Heiskanen to begin the season paired with Stephen Johns and to be in the running for the Calder Trophy.

 

2) Jason Robertson

  • Age: 19
  • Position: Left Wing
  • Shoots: Left
  • League: OHL – Kingston Frontenacs
  • Acquired: 2017 2nd round draft choice (Round 2, Pick 39)
  • Summary: Robertson is ready for the AHL after back-to-back 40-goal seasons in juniors, but due to his age (not yet 20), he will have to play another season in the OHL.  Robertson is one of the few prospects in the Stars system who is an elite goal-scorer and could be NHL-ready in next fall if he can take the next step in his conditioning.

 

3) Roope Hintz

  • Age: 21
  • Position: Center
  • Shoots: Left
  • League: NHL – Dallas Stars / AHL – Texas Stars
  • Acquired: 2015 2nd round draft choice (Round 2, Pick 49)
  • Summary: Roope Hintz has made quite the impression during the pre-season doing a little bit of everything including scoring goals.  He also scored 20 goals last season in his first season with the Texas Stars.  It appears he made the NHL club with a strong pre-season, but will be the first call-up if he gets sent down and could be first in line to replace Jason Spezza in 2019-20.

 

4) Colton Point

  • Age: 20
  • Position: Goaltender
  • Catches: Left
  • League: AHL – Texas Stars
  • Acquired: 2016 5th round draft choice (Round 5, Pick 128)
  • Summary: The Stars fifth round magic continues in the form of 6-4, 220-pound goaltender Colton Point.  Point signed this summer after an incredible season at Colgate where he posted a 1.74 goals against average and a .944 save percentage in 33 games.  Point will start the season with the Texas Stars where he is expected to split time with Landon Bow.

 

5) Riley Tufte

  • Age: 20
  • Position: Left Wing
  • Shoots: Left
  • League: NCAA – University of Minnesota-Duluth
  • Acquired: 2016 1st round draft choice (Round 1, Pick 25)
  • Summary: Tufte is entering his junior season at the University of Minneosta-Duluth after a successful sophomore campaign.  He scored 16 goals in 42 games after scoring nine goals his freshman year.  The Stars would like to sign Tufte after the NCAA season ends and have him continue his development in the AHL.

 

6) Ty Dellandrea

  • Age: 18
  • Position: Center
  • Shoots: Right
  • League: OHL – Flint Firebirds
  • Acquired: 2018 1st round draft choice (Round 1, Pick 13)
  • Summary: Dellandrea is a solid prospect and it’s not his fault that the Stars drafted him an entire round too early.  The 18-year-old reportedly knows how to work an interview room but has yet to show any type of dominant trait on the ice.  In his defense, he was diagnosed with Celiac disease last season and saw positive results after altering his diet.  Jim Nill projects that Dellandrea will be NHL ready by 2020 so this is an important season for the young center.  Dellandrea has all the intangibles; now he needs to show he can dominate at the junior level by becoming a point-per-game guy in the OHL this season.

 

7) Jake Oettinger

  • Age: 19
  • Position: Goaltender
  • Catches: Left
  • League: NCAA – Boston University
  • Acquired: 2017 1st round draft choice (Round 1, Pick 26)
  • Summary: Oettinger is another big, college goalie (6-4, 212).  This is a good position to have depth in, but my guess is the Stars would have used this pick on another forward – perhaps Morgan Frost, Eeli Tolvanen, or Shane Bowers, who were three of the four picks after Dallas took Oettinger – if they knew what kind of season Colton Point was about to have.  Oettinger struggled early last season but bounced back finishing with a 2.45 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.

 

 

8) Joseph Cecconi

  • Age: 21
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Right
  • League: NCAA – University of Michigan
  • Acquired: 2015 5th round draft choice (Round 5, Pick 133)
  • Summary: Cecconi saw a major uptick in offensive production scoring 27 points in 40 games last season.  Yes, part of that can be attributed to his defensive partner, Quinn Hughes, but Cecconi deserves credit for his development.  One issue with Cecconi is this is his senior year and the Stars only retain his rights until August 2019.  It’s very possible he opts for free agency after college instead of signing with Dallas next summer.

 

9) Albin Eriksson

  • Age: 18
  • Position: Right Wing
  • Shoots: Right
  • League: Skelleftea AIK (Sweden)
  • Acquired: 2018 2nd round draft choice (Round 2, Pick 44)
  • Summary: Man-child Albin Eriksson goes from the 2018 draft floor to top-10 in the Stars system.  Eriksson, 6-4 and 205 pounds, is a good skater with a great shot.  The development curve could take a little longer, but Dallas does have a history of success with second rounders named Eriksson.

 

10) Denis Gurianov

  • Age: 21
  • Position: Left Wing/Right Wing
  • Shoots: Left
  • League: AHL – Texas Stars
  • Acquired: 2015 1st round draft choice (Round 1, Pick 12)
  • Summary: Gurianov is a tough prospect to evaluate.  Up until this year’s training camp, most would consider him a bust.  The Stars are mostly to blame for this status because – much like Dellandrea – Gurianov was a second round prospect taken in the top-15 of his draft.  It’s not Gurianov’s fault that he’s not Mathew Barzal, Kyle Connor, or Brock Boeser (three players Dallas passed on even though they were ranked significantly higher than Gurianov in the 2015 draft class).  On the plus-side, Gurianov had a good training camp and pre-season.  He may have a chance to make his NHL debut later this season if he produces with the Texas Stars.

 

 

Brian Roe is the founder and head writer of The Roe Report.  He spent five years working for the Dallas Stars  and has been a contributor at Hockey’s Future, The Hockey Writers, NHL Intel, and more.  Follow Brian on Twitter @brianproe.

 

 

The Roe Report – September 28, 2018

The Roe Report returns for the first time in almost ten years as we look at Jim Montgomery’s process, how first year coaches have fared since 2005, Brett Ritchie trade possibilities, and the Stars simulcast issue.

Season 25, Report 1 

Stars coach Jim Montgomery preached “The Process” when he was the head coach at the University of Denver.  His process was made up of seven individual goals the coach wanted his team to focus on accomplishing during the game.  If the team won at least four of the seven then they typically won the game.  Montgomery is bringing five of the seven process goals with him to the NHL level.  They are as follows:

  1. Win 56% of faceoffs
  2. Win the special teams battle
  3. Win the net-front battle
  4. Zero undisciplined penalties
  5. Three or fewer odd-man rushes

 

My guess is Montgomery believes accomplishing at least three of these five goals will lead to wins.  I am looking forward to tracking this and seeing how it translates at the NHL level.

First Time Caller, Long Time Listener

Speaking of the first year head coach, Montgomery is days away from making his debut as an NHL head coach.  Thirty-one men have coached their first NHL game at the start of a regular season since 2005.  The odds are actually better than I expected, but 58% of the first year head coaches failed to make the playoffs in Year 1.  Take a look:

MADE THE PLAYOFFS

  • Randy Carlyle, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, 2005-06 (98 points)
  • Jim Playfair, Calgary Flames, 2006-07 (96 points)
  • Joe Sacco, Colorado Avalanche, 2009-10 (95 points)
  • Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche, 2013-14 (112 points)
  • Jeff Blashill, Detroit Red Wings, 2015-16 (93 points)
  • Kevin Dineen, Florida Panthers, 2011-12 (94 points)
  • Brent Sutter, New Jersey Devils, 2007-08 (99 points)
  • Paul MacLean, Ottawa Senators, 2011-12 (92 points)
  • Guy Boucher, Tampa Bay Lightning, 2010-11 (103 points)
  • Dave Hakstol, Philadelphia Flyers, 2015-16 (96 points)
  • Mike Johnston, Pittsburgh Penguins, 2014-15 (98 points)
  • Todd McLellan, Edmonton Oilers, 2008-09 (117 points)
  • Willie Desjardins, Vancouver Canucks, 2014-15 (101 points)

 

MISSED THE PLAYOFFS

  • John Anderson, Atlanta Thrashers, 2008-09 (76 points)
  • Phil Housley, Buffalo Sabres, 2017-18 (62 points)
  • Bill Peters, Carolina Hurricanes, 2014-15 (71 points)
  • Trent Yawney, Chicago Blackhawks, 2005-06 (65 points)
  • Jared Bednar, Colorado Avalanche, 2016-17 (48 points)
  • Scott Arniel, Columbus Blue Jackets, 2010-11 (81 points)
  • Glen Gulutzan. Dallas Stars, 2011-12 (89 points)
  • Dallas Eakins, Edmonton Oilers, 2013-14 (67 points)
  • Peter DeBoer, Florida Panthers, 2008-09 (93 points)
  • Bob Boughner, Florida Panthers, 2017-18 (96 points)
  • Todd Richards, Minnesota Wild, 2009-10 (84 points)
  • Mike Yeo, Minnesota Wild, 2011-12 (81 points)
  • Guy Carbonneau, Montreal Canadiens, 2006-07 (90 points)
  • John Hynes, New Jersey Devils, 2015-16 (84 points)
  • Scott Gordon, New York Islanders, 2008-09 (61 points)
  • Jack Capuano, New York Islanders, 2010-11 (62 points)
  • Wayne Gretzky, Phoenix Coyotes, 2005-06 (81 points)
  • Travis Green, Vancouver Canucks, 2017-18 (73 points)

 

Ritchie Trade Scenarios

After struggling to score last season and not separating himself in this year’s training camp and pre-season, Stars forward Brett Ritchie may find himself on the trade block.  He certainly appears to have lost his fourth line spot.  The Stars could keep Ritchie and use him as a depth forward, but it may be time to move on from the former second round draft pick.

Two teams that could be interested are the Anaheim Ducks and Arizona Coyotes as both teams had forwards go down with injuries this week.  Anaheim’s Corey Perry is expected to miss five months after having knee surgery and Arizona’s Alex Galchenyuk is expected to miss multiple weeks with the always mysterious lower body injury.

Anaheim is the most logical fit with Brett’s brother, Nick Ritchie, already on their roster.

Did You Know

… when 19-year-old rookie defenseman Miro Heiskanen makes his NHL debut next Thursday night he will be the youngest blueliner on a Dallas Stars opening night roster since 2007 when 21-year-old Matt Niskanen debuted for the Stars.  Niskanen was a success early in his career after being paired with Sergei Zubov.  Niskanen has had an impressive career after being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2011 averaging over 20 minutes of ice time and more than 30 points per season.  He also won his first Stanley Cup last season as a member of the Washington Capitals.

Last Word

The last word this week goes out to Sports Radio 1310 (and 96.7 FM) The Ticket as it was announced yesterday that the Stars and The Ticket have agreed on a five-year broadcast rights extension.  The new agreement will run through the 2023-24 season.  The Ticket has a limited number of segments dedicated to the Dallas Stars, but does a good job of delivering the biggest names to its audience.  During the hockey season, Daryl “Razor” Reaugh appears weekly  on the Dunham and Miller morning show, Tyler Seguin appears weekly on BaD Radio, and The Hardline has had a regular segment with both Lindy Ruff and Ken Hitchcock over the last few years.  The five-year extension is  good news for Stars fans, but it’s time for a dedicated radio broadcast.  The simulcast makes no sense in 2018 as a TV broadcast rarely translates into radio gold.  Bonus Did You Know … the Stars are the only team in the NHL without a dedicated radio broadcast team.  The team has gotten away with this arrangement because of the popularity of Reaugh, but it’s time end the simulcast.

 

Brian Roe is the founder and head writer of The Roe Report.  He spent five years working for the Dallas Stars  and has been a contributor at Hockey’s Future, The Hockey Writers, NHL Intel, and more.  Follow Brian on Twitter @brianproe.

Text Me Tuesday – September 26, 2018

In the debut of Text Me Tuesday, we discuss rookies Miro Heiskanen and Roope Hintz, potential line combinations, and more.

In the confusing debut of Text Me Tuesday on a Wednesday, Brian and friends discuss Miro Heiskanen, Roope Hintz, line combinations, and popular NBC shows.

Please note these are actual text exchanges between Brian and someone in his phone.  If you would like to be featured in a future Text Me Tuesday, please text, tweet, or e-mail Brian with the hashtag #TextMeTuesday.  Contact information is listed below.

Without further ado, the first edition of Text Me Tuesday.

 

Falcon and Brian on naming Text Me Tuesday and on rookie defenseman Miro Heiskanen 

Brian: Hey man.  Working on a new idea for the site.  Kind of a different take on the weekly mailbag bit.  Instead of random questions from random people I want to share text conversations I have about the Stars. Would you like to participate?

Falcon: I’m in.

Brian: Awesome.  Thinking of calling it Texts with Friends or Who Dis Wednesday.

Falcon: How about “You guys ready for Wednesday? … I am.”

Brian: Only four people would get it but it’s brilliant!  What about Text Me Tuesday?

Falcon: I love it.

Brian: Might have a winner. Alright, back to hockey.

Falcon: Your thoughts on Heiskanen’s play?

Brian: I am impressed.  More with his defensive game.  We all knew that he has a ton of skill or he wouldn’t be drafted so high.  His skating is great, positioning good, active stick, and really smooth with the puck.  No panic in his game.  What do you think?

Falcon: Agree.  You are right on when you say he is smooth with the puck.  Three or four times he used his reach defending in the slot and just steered the puck and player away.

Brian: The only negative I noticed is I want him to do a better job avoiding the big hit.  He got caught in a vulnerable spot a time or two.  I remember Klingberg having to learn the same thing his rookie year.

 

Calvin and Brian on Roope Hintz and line combinations 

Calvin: Is Roope gonna make this team?  What about Miro?

Brian: Miro, yes.  He’s a lock to make the team and likely starts out on the second pairing with Stephen Johns.  I think Hintz deserves to make the team and would be an awesome bottom-6 guy for the Stars this season.  But we can send him to the AHL without exposing him to waivers.  Smith, Elie, and Ritchie would all have to go through waivers.  So I am guessing he might get sent to the AHL and be the first call-up later in the season.

Calvin: I like it.  Who are your line pairings?

Brian: Probably start the season this way:

Benn – Seguin – Radulov

Janmark – Spezza – Nichushkin

Comeau – Faksa – Pitlick

Three of Dickinson, Shore, Smith, Ritchie, Elie, Hintz

Lindell – Klingberg

Heiskanen – Johns

Methot – Honka

 

Mom and Brian on The Roe Report 

Brian: Attached is a link to my latest writing project.

Mom: That’s awesome!  So will you send the articles directly to me or do I have to go and look for them?  Haha.

Brian: Ha, I will send them to you.

Mom: I would appreciate that!  That was a lot of info!  How do you have time for all this research and writing?

Brian: Most of the heavy lifting was done over the weekend, but people say I have a sleeping problem so I write a lot at night.

Mom: Perfect!  Don’t forget This Is Us starts again tonight.

Brian: (Insert GIF of a house on fire)

Mom: Whatever.

 

If you would like to discuss Dallas Stars hockey with Brian – or NBC programming like his mother – please send him a text (214-205-8160), a tweet (@brianproe), or an e-mail (brianproe@gmail.com) with the hashtag #TextMeTuesday. 

Brian Roe is the founder and lead writer at The Roe Report.  He spent five years working for the Dallas Stars and was a contributor at Hockey’s Future, The Hockey Writers, and NHL Intel.  Follow Brian on Twitter @brianproe.