DALLAS, Tx – What do you get the team that has the 25th overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft when you’re the NHL’s highest scoring team on a 109 point season? The smart aleck in you might think to get them a lesser opponent in the playoffs or at the very least another defenseman. With so much talent on the current roster and in their farm system you keep adding another piece to an already solid puzzle.
Led by Jamie Benn’s 41 goals the Stars had 12 players with at least 10 goals. Only one defenseman John Klingberg was the only defenseman with double-digit goals. Still despite the load of offense from the forwards, another offensive defenseman couldn’t hurt the Stars blueline in the future.
Most of the top goal scorers on the team were either centers on left wingers so adding another scorer on right wing couldn’t hurt. The Stars could take a risk on Alex Debrincat who is small but is a scoring machine which is a scary thought adding him to an already potent lineup. If you’re looking down the middle of the ice Tage Thompson from UConn would be a solid selection. Dallas is not afraid to go European and if they do decide to go overseas keep the names Rasmus Asplund from Sweden or Russian German Rubtsov as prime candidates to wear a Stars uniform one day.
Defense is the teams’ biggest need so in PHN’s mock draft we see Dennis Cholowski who played in the BCHL as a possible selection, again, given that the Stars can afford to take a risk on a player who played at the lower junior level. Lucas Johansen is an offensive defenseman who could be the type of offensive blueliner the team could use in another 3-4 years.
In the meantime the Stars will have to make a decision which way to go come Friday night in Buffalos so we expect to hear the following announcement from the podium.
“With the 25th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, the Dallas Stars select, from Chilliwack of the BCHL, Dennis Cholowski.”
The Washington Capitals are on the clock.
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