NHL Draft: Stars Preview

Stars picks in 2004

Stars first round picks

First, uncertainty about the NHL's future economic landscape. Second, owner Tom Hicks' disappointment at spending big bucks in hopes of winning one or two Stanley Cups over the past two seasons, only to see his high payroll team never make it past the second round.

That means the draft becomes more important to the Stars than it has been in the past.

But like years past, the Stars aren't picking very high in this year's draft. At least not right now. At this point, they have the 20th overall pick in what is considered a pretty average draft after the top five or six players. But there may be some diamonds in the rough and the Stars hope they can find them.

They have ten picks, including four selections from 20 to 86. If you believe the experts, teams may be able to find players of comparable potential in that range.

The Stars aren't trying to fill any immediate needs with their draft picks. They are striving to take the best player available whether it's a forward, defenseman or a goaltender.

The reason is simple. Who knows what their needs will be three, four or five years down the road when some of these picks may be may be ready to make the jump to the NHL.

But still, the Stars have needs when it comes to young depth in the organization. Here's a look at youth in the system at the three positions.

Defensemen

This may be the Stars' biggest hole as far as depth, especially young depth. Right now, Trevor Daley, who is under contract, seems to be the only sure bet among the Dallas prospects to be a regular and solid defenseman in the NHL. He should get his shot this season and could get a spot in the top four and find himself a key player on the power play.

The Stars depth among young defensemen took a hit when they couldn't work out a deal with Martin Vagner, their first round pick in 2002. Vagner has re-entered the draft. Vagner had been struggling as of late, so it may not have been that big of a loss. Time will tell.

Other than that there are only question marks among Dallas' young defensemen, including John Erskine, who the Stars were hoping could become a Derian Hatcher type player. Erskine, who is a restricted free agent, struggled last season and showed little sign of breaking through. There's still a chance, but this could be a pivotal season.

After that there is Dan Jancevski, another restricted free agent. He had a good year with Utah of the AHL, but he seems a ways off from being an NHL caliber defenseman.

Tough guy Matt Nickerson, who used to play for the Texas Tornado and played for Clarkson University last season, was signed to a three-year deal last month. Whether he is an NHL caliber defenseman is still up in the air.

The rest of the Stars defense isn't getting up there in age. Sergei Zubov turns 34 next month, Philippe Boucher is 31 and Don Sweeney turns 38 in August. If Jon Klemm is re-signed he'll be 35 in January.

That's why the Stars need to find some young defenseman to put in the pipeline for down the road, whether it's through trades or the draft.

Related link: Stars draft possibilities- Defensemen

Forwards

The Stars added some youth to their stable of forwards earlier in the off-season when they signed Hobey Baker winner Junior Lessard to a one-year deal as a free agent. He could get a shot at being a regular player for the Stars this season.

So could some of their other young players like Europeans Antti Miettinen and Mathias Tjarnqvist, both of whom saw some NHL action last season and are expected to get expanded roles next season.

Marius Holtet, who is Norwegian and has been playing hockey in Sweden, will be coming over to North America next season as well. He is expected to play in the AHL.

The Stars also have some highly skilled European forwards waiting in the wings. Players like Loui Eriksson, Yared Hagos and Jussi Jokinen to name a few. There is a lot of good potential there for down the road.

Throw in other young players such as Brenden Morrow, Steve Ott and Niko Kapanen, and the Stars aren't that bad off. But they still may lack players with top line potential, especially at the center position.

Related link: Stars draft possibilities- Forwards

Goaltending

The Stars are pretty well set at this position for now. The only question is which of their young goaltenders will back up Marty Turco next season.

Dan Ellis, Jason Bacashihua and Mike Smith are all expected to get a shot to compete for the job. The Stars also have Swiss goalie Tobias Stephan still playing in Europe.

The bottom line

The Stars aren't going to fill any immediate needs in this year's draft, unless they do it via a trade. And that could happen. There has been speculation they could try to dump some salary with some draft day trades for younger, cheaper players.

Bill Guerin and restricted free agent Jason Arnott are trade possibilities.So is Valeri Bure, another pricey restricted free agent.

The Stars have traded down in three of the last six drafts and considering the make up of this year's draft they may end up doing that again as well.

As far as drafting, and as all teams usually do, the Stars will take the best player available regardless of position.