A look at the top prospects of the recharged Dallas Stars -NHL Special
Dallas Stars, which play in the Pacific Division of the Eastern Conference in National Hockey League (NHL), have been going down every season and their performance is getting bad to worse during the last four years.
The last time they qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs was back in 2007-2008 season after they lost in the conference finals to Detroit Red Wings but ever since then, they have been on a decline as they finished 12th in the conference, 3rd
in the division in 2008-2009 season, 12th in the conference, 5th in the division in 2009-2010, 9th in the conference, 5th in the division in 2010-2011 and 10th in the conference, 4th in the
division in 2011-2012.
They have brought in few very experienced players like Jaromir Jagr, a player with over 1000 NHL games, Derek Roy, a player with over 500 NHL games, but their main power would be their prospects and youth. The power that young blood will bring into their
team would be very important as we have a look at Stars’ prospects.
Radek Faksa
18-year-old Czech forward who currently plays for Kitchener Rangers in Ontario Hockey League had a great first season in OHL as he scored at an amazing average of one point per game. With 28 goals, 37 assists, 67 points in 67 games, Faksa led the table
of new players in the league.
Picked 13th in the 2012 NHL draft, on 6th June 2012, Faksa became first player from draft to be signed by any team but Les Jackson, Stars’ director of player personnel, suggested that Faksa will most probably stay with Kitchener Rangers
right now and they will decide about his future after another one season.
2. Reilly Smith
Smith was selected 69th overall in the 3rd round of 2009 NHL draft by Dallas Stars but it took three more years for him to sign with the Stars in an entry-level, three-year contract which he did on 25th March 2012.
21-year-old right-winger played most on his hockey for Miami University in Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCAH) but made his NHL debut in the ending part of last season by playing three games for Dallas, Texas based side.
Jackson said about him,
"He's really gifted. He may need some time in the American league to adjust to the pro game."
3. Brenden Dillon
21-year-old Canadian Defenseman was signed by Dallas Stars on 1st March 2011 in a three-year contract and played last season with Texas Stars in American Hockey League where he had a reasonable season, scoring 29 points in 76 games.
Jackson believes that Dillon will very soon be playing in NHL, the way he is progressing as he said,
"He had a real good first year last year in Texas. I believe he's going to be around the big team this year. He's really taken a huge step forward. He's going to have a real good chance of making the big club this year."
4. Jack Campbell
20-year-old goaltender of Texas Stars is already a much decorated player as he has won World Junior Championships Gold Medal with Canada and twice won IIHF Under-18 Gold medal with them.
11th pick in the 2010 draft, already has got experience at international level and Jackson believes that it is going to help him as he said,
"It was good for him to go through that. Guys grow from those experiences. … It was hard for him at times but it was for the best for him with his long-term growth."
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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