NHL Draft: Mocking the Stars

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

2004 NHL Entry Draft Home

Here's a look at which players some of the various mock drafts have the Stars selecting in the first round (20th overall) of Saturday's NHL Entry Draft at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The Hockey News (Phase 1)

Andrej Meszaros, D, Dukla Trencin (Slovakia)

Comment: "The Stars are expected to target a first-round defenseman. Slovak Meszaros could be a perfect heir to Sergei Zubov's power play throne down the road, though Dallas GM {Doug Armstrong] also covets mammoth countryman Boris Valabik--Armstrong would probably need to move up in the order to secure the latter. Jeff Schultz, Mike Green and Wes O'Neill are also targets."

The Hockey News (Phase 2)

Ladislav Smid, D, HC Liberec (Czech Republic)

Comment: "The Stars are expected to target a first-round defenseman. Smid, Meszaros, Valabik, Green, Jeff Schultz, Wes O'Neill and Kirill Lyamin could all be the Dallas pick, though not all will be available at No. 20. Smid is somewhat of a safe pick, while O'Neill would represent a greater risk. Since they chose not to sign 2002 first-round selection Martin Vagner, the Stars will play it safe."

TSN.ca

Petteri Nokelainen, RW, Saipa Lappeenranta (Finland)

Comment: "Nokelainen could join prospect Jussi Jokinen, Antti Miettinen and Jere Lehtinen in a Finnish Connection one day."

Hockey's Future

Ladislav Smid, D, HC Liberec (Czech Republic)

Comment: "It isn't often that best player available and meeting organizational needs go hand in hand. The Dallas Stars, after recently allowing Martin Vagner to reenter the draft, now look at their defensive prospect cupboard as being less than full. Pleasantly surprised that he has dropped, the Dallas Stars happily select Smid.

McKeen's Hockey

Ladislav Smid, D, HC Liberec (Czech Republic)

Comment: "Selecting a defenseman makes the most sense here for the Stars, who recently let go of the struggling Martin Vagner. Smid is a mobile rearguard who stands out due to deadly accurate playmaking skills and impression vision.

Fox Sports

Johan Fransson, D, Lulea (Sweden.)

Comment: "Smart, mobile defenseman has offensive skills to contribute on power play and at even strength."

International Scouting Services

Wes O'Neill, D, Notre Dame (NCAA)

Comment: None

Geoffrey Ussery (Andrew's Dallas Stars Page)

Mike Green, D, Saskatoon (WHL)

Comment: "The Stars system is relatively devoid of any good quality defensive prospects, and recently, even the thin depth they had took a hit when Martin Vagner re-entered the draft. Green has the attitude and skill to be a good defenseman, and even though he has yet to really fill out, standing at 6'1.5" and 198 lbs., he doesn't shy away from physical play. There is a little question about whether playing for an atrocious team will hurt his development, however."

2004 NHL Entry Draft Home