We here at 2PS are looking at the top five prospects in each system. Then we had a thought: everyone and their mother likely has a list up on their blog, so why not do a different take on it? Instead of a straight top five, we’ll take a look at the top forward, top defender, top goalie, top overall prospect and the top dark horse prospect. Also, if a player earns top prospect nods, the top positional spot will be filled by the next best at that positional group.
Today, we’re looking at the Dallas Stars.
Disclaimer: we’re following NHL rookie qualification rules here. If anyone has played 25 or more NHL games in a season, they are disqualified from consideration.
With that in mind, let’s go!
Top Overall Prospect: Brett Ritchie
The Stars’ second-round pick (#44 overall) in 2011 has risen up the ranks quickly thanks to an excellent rookie season in the AHL, where he posted 22 goals and 48 points in 68 games before adding another 11 points in 13 games during the Calder Cup playoffs.
He’s a big bodied right-handed shot that would add size and power to the lineup. He’s shown the ability to be a dominant force, but he still struggles with consistency and can disappear at times. If he can put it together for long stretches, he’s going to be a force in the NHL.
Projected Role: Top-six winger
Player Comparable: This won’t sound like much of a compliment these days, but Todd Bertuzzi used to be one of the league’s most formidable wingers. Ritchie is a big bodied power forward that can move, score and potentially dominate like “Big Bert” did in Vancouver.
Timeline: He will get a very long look in camp this year and could push for significant playing time in Dallas this year. If he doesn’t stick, he will head back to the Texas Stars of the AHL but could see time as an emergency call-up.
Top Forward: Devin Shore
Shore has spent the last two seasons playing for the Maine Black Bears, leading them in points for the second straight season and ranking second nationally. He earned second team All-American status as well as Hockey East First Team and Maine’s MVP award.
Shore is a solid prospect, displaying strong puck-handling ability and scores goals in bunches. He’s been criticized for his lack of enthusiasm on the backcheck, but seems to have improved it during his time at Maine.
Projected Role: #3 center, low-end #2 center
Player Comparable: Derek Roy. Disclaimer: I haven’t seen Shore play, but a smaller center with good offensive abilities who still struggles a bit defensively sounds exactly like Roy to me. He might not have Roy’s offensive ceiling, but he can be a quality secondary scoring option.
Timeline: Shore will return to Maine for the 2014/15 season to captain the Bears as a junior. Look for him to take a shot at the Stars next season, probably spending a year in the AHL before making the full-time jump to the big leagues.
Top Defenseman: Julius Honka
I was tempted to go with Jamie Oleksiak here, but the Stars’ 2014 first-round pick (14th overall) is just too enticing. He’s on the small side (5’10”, 181) but the right-handed Honka has the kind of skills off the rush and on the power play that just doesn’t grow on trees.
Naturally, like most offensive defenseman at his age, he needs to work on being more responsible in his own end. He also needs to get a little stronger to make his size less of a limitation, but his passing and ability to move the puck out of his zone make him a big asset.
Projected Role: Top-four defenseman
Player Comparable: Tyson Barrie. Like Barrie, Honka is a small puck-mover whose game is more predicated on mobility than size and strength.
Timeline: Undersized and 18-years-old, Honka will likely spend 2014/15 with his junior club, the Swift Current Broncos. He probably needs another year after that to get accustomed to the professional game before challenging for a regular spot in 2016/17.
Top Goalie: Jack Campbell
Campbell looked outstanding during his short run with Texas last year. A knee injury and shared starts limited him to just 16 games, but he posted a 12-2-2 record with a 1.49 GAA and .942 save percentage. He was solid again in the playoffs, going 2-1 with a 2.54 GAA and .917% before being lost to a knee injury in Game 5 of the second round.
He looks to be the total package, displaying good size, athletic ability and the short-term memory goalies need after they’ve given up a bad goal. It’s no surprise he was taken as high as he was (#11, 2010 draft).
Projected Role: High-end starter
Player Comparison: This is going to sound like a death knell, but trust me, it’s a compliment: he’s like a more talented Rick DiPietro. Obviously, Ricky D’s career was derailed by injury and failed expectations, but Campbell has avoided that other than a troublesome knee last year.
Timeline: With Kari Lehtonen firmly entrenched as the starter, it’s likely that Campbell will be given the starting role in Texas full-time before getting a chance at the starting gig in Dallas for 2015/16.
Top Dark Horse: Jyrki Jokipakka
Jokipakka could wind up being a hidden gem for the Stars. The seventh-round pick in 2011, Jokipakka is big (6’3”, 193) and mobile, displaying a strong ability to move the puck out and even perhaps a hint of being a power play quarterback after finishing third among defenseman in scoring as a rookie for Texas last year.
He’s not nearly as physical as you’d like to see someone of his size be and he can definitely be pushed around in front, but with a little added bulk he could be a solid addition to the Dallas blue line in the near future.
Projected Role: Bottom-pair defenseman
Player Comparison: A poor-man’s Joni Pitkanen. Pitkanen was a big body with good mobility and a strong offensive game. If Jokipakka can get anywhere close to that level, this is a huge steal for Dallas.
Timeline: After a strong debut with Texas last year, Jokipakka will challenge for a roster spot in camp this year and will end up as an emergency call-up if he can’t stick out of camp.
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