The 32-in-32 Series is an annual event here at DobberProspects and has been condensed from two articles to one. The article will bring you: The highlighted team’s draft; insights into its off-season moves; looking at prospect risers, fallers and likely prospects to play NHL games; and of course, the writers’ top-20 prospects. Articles may be brought back when an important team update occurs, so check back because we plan to fill your hockey withdrawal needs all off-season!

***

Make sure to check out the Dallas Stars team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/dallas-stars/

To view past 32s go here: https://dobberprospects.com/category/feature/32-in-32-series/

***

Mikko Rantanen took his game to new heights in the playoffs, racking up 22 points in 18 games – including back-to-back hat tricks – helping the team reach the Western Conference Final. Ultimately, his efforts were not enough to push the Stars into the Final, as Edmonton came one game short of a sweep.

Head Coach Pete DeBoer was fired following some time after the loss to the Oilers – a game in which he pulled starting goalie Jake Oettinger in the first period and criticized him at the end of the game. Even with the lineup at its peak, the Stars fell a few wins short of reaching the Final for the third year in a row.

The firing came after a 50-26-6 season. DeBoer leaves with a .665 win percentage over three years – the best in the league during that span. On July 1, GM Jim Nill hired Glen Gulutzan, a returning head coach. Nill had previously fired Gulutzan in 2013, early in his tenure. Gulutzan spent the past seven years as an assistant with the same Oilers team that repeatedly ended Dallas’ playoff runs.

The Stars now find themselves in a tight spot following key free-agent losses and a lack of valuable trade chips – a contrast from recent years. Mason Marchment, who scored 22 goals in back-to-back seasons, was traded to Seattle for third and fourth-round picks in 2026 and 2025. Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci, both acquired for the Stars’ 2025 first, played top-line minutes before leaving in free agency. Evgenii Dadonov’s departure also leaves a hole in what was once a deep top nine.

Jim Nill often makes splashes through trades or signings, but this year may call for a different approach. New head coach Gulutzan emphasized his plans to lean into internal development with NHL.com, “My focus is, can I get a little more from Mavrik Bourque? Can I get a little more from Nils Lundkvist? Can I help Lian Bichsel or Wyatt Johnston?” Dallas has a strong track record of turning prospects into NHL impact players – Johnston, Harley, Heiskanen, and Robertson are all homegrown success stories.

If Nill and the Stars can mine hidden talent and capitalize once the rest of the league takes notice of it, he will not hesitate to move high-value prospects. After selecting Logan Stankoven in the second round of 2021, the Stars watched him light up the WHL and AHL before using him as a key piece in the trade for Rantanen. Without any cleanly tradable first-round picks until 2030 – and with multiple prospects expected to take on bigger roles – Dallas will need to develop its 2025 draft core into meaningful assets.

***********

NHL Draft Recap

Round 3, 94 overall: Cameron Schmidt, RW

40G 38A 78P 61GP (WHL) – 5-8, 157 lbs

Public perception and professional pundits projected Schmidt squarely in the first round. He was ranked 30th by Dobber Prospects, 22nd by Elite Prospects, and 19th by TSN.

NHL managers leaned heavily into size at the 2025 draft. The Stars recouped a lot of value when they landed the quick-shooting, deceptive winger — standing 5-8 — late in the third round. The speedy forward is known to take any puck in stride and turn it into a lethal chance, whether by way of his quick, accurate shot or his offensive awareness. He’s deceptively fast; his agility makes him elusive and gives him an edge in finding open ice.

Cameron Schmidt's highlight reel is just a taste of what the speedy forward brings to the table!@WHLGiants | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/vRBwgefjTk

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) June 20, 2025

Jim Nill is attempting to mine elite offensive upside far later than it should be available – the same kind of upside they have found in past picks like Stankoven and Johnston. Schmidt immediately adds juice to the forward core in Dallas, and if developed properly, he has the upside to be a top-six contributor.

Round 4, 126 overall: Brandon Gorzynski, LW

17G 25A 42P 68GP (WHL) – 6-2, 185 lbs

Despite having no picks in the first two rounds, Dallas still made six selections. Their second came at 126th overall, where they took WHL winger Gorzynski.

This season was a leap forward for Gorzynski, improving from nine points in 42 games to 42 points in 68. It is unlikely he remains on such a steep trajectory, but it does indicate untapped offensive potential. Gorzynski is a tenacious, straight-line forward. He plays with an intense, fast pace that never lets up.

Coaches love to deploy a forward with an active stick and physical edge – Gorzynski fits that mold. He has a knack for chasing pucks down and separating any opposing body from them. The Stars drafted a potential bottom-six player who can leave a mark, with sneaky upside.

Round 5, 146 overall: Atte Joki, C

15G 17A 32P 40GP (U20 Finland) – 6-2, 201 lbs

Known to play a simple and effective game, Joki always seems to be in the right spots – whether to facilitate or make use of his deft shot.

Players from Finland tend to need eye-popping numbers to get drafted, especially high – and Joki does not have that. What he does have is a very long runway and an interesting set of tools as an intelligent, 6-2, 201-pound centre. Dallas and Jim Nill have no problem taking things slow and developing a player appropriately.

Round 5, 158 overall: Måns Goos, G

24GP – 3.17 GAA, .893 SV% (Sweden J20) – 6-5, 198 lbs

Goos, a 6-5 goalie from Sweden, joined the Stars as their 158th selection. Goalies of this size are often coveted. Sebastian Cossa, for example, was drafted 15th overall in 2021 at 6-6. The NHL’s best goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, is 6-4.

Is Goos the next Vezina winner for Dallas? No. His availability at 158th came down to his less-than-impressive numbers in Sweden’s J20 league – he played 24 games, won 11, and posted a .893 save percentage.

While not overly technically sound, Goos imposes his frame on shooters off the rush and anticipates well. He has a lot to improve on, but as a raw project, there’s upside to become an NHL goalie – not enough to be fantasy-relevant for now.

Round 6, 190 overall: Dawson Sharkey, RW

22G 17A 39P 54GP (QMJHL) – 6-1, 185 lbs (D+1)

The Stars went out and got their guy at 190th overall. Sharkey was not ranked by most public outlets – Dobber Prospects, Elite Prospects, and TSN all left him off their boards. In his draft year, the 6-1 right wing managed only 17 points in 41 QMJHL games, which he scaled up to 39 points in 54 games this season, in his D+1 year. It’s a strong development, but does not point to much of a ceiling, as D+1 players are expected to be more assertive in the CHL.

At this point in the draft, each pick is more of an unknown commodity – and that rings true for Sharkey. Dallas has a prospect system in dire need of high-ceiling players. There were other forwards available who showed tantalizing offensive upside, like Aidan Lane (198th by CBJ), and forwards who play complete games, like Filip Ekberg (221st by CAR), that could have been a better fit.

Round 7, 222 overall: Charlie Paquette, C

37G 33A 70P 68GP (OHL) – 6-2, 207 lbs (D+2)

Often teams draft for grit and end up with big players without the hop. That’s not what the Stars get in Paquette. 

The 6-2, 207-pound centre is aggressive, hard-hitting, and magnetic to the net front. At 222nd overall, Dallas bet on a high-floor player who could join their pro ranks as soon as next year – although he is not worth stashing in fantasy leagues.

*****

Off-Season Moves

Incoming

Vladislav Kolyachonok – D – acquired via trade (for Matt Dumba + 2028 2nd)

Radek Faksa – C – UFA signing (returning to Dallas)

Colin Blackwell – C, LW, RW – re-signed (2 years, $775K AAV)

Outgoing

Matt Dumba – D – traded to PIT

Mason Marchment – LW – traded to SEA

Magnus Hellberg – G – UFA departure (signed in SHL)

Brendan Smith – D – UFA departure

Evgenii Dadonov – LW, RW — UFA (signed with NJD, 1 year, $1M)

Cody Ceci – D – UFA (signed with LAK, 4 years, $4.5M AAV)

Mikael Granlund – C, RW — UFA (signed with ANA, 3 years, $7M AAV)

Re-Signed

Antonio Stranges – LW – 1 year, two-way, $775K

Kole Lind – C, RW – 1 year, two-way, $775K

Cameron Hughes – C/LW – 2 years, two-way, $775K AAV

Nils Lundkvist – D – 1 year, $1.25M

Mavrik Bourque – C – 1 year, $950K

Matt Duchene – C – 4 years, $4.5M AAV

****

In the System

Risers

Liam Bichsel – 21, LHD, 6-7, 231 lbs – 2022 18th overall

In the 38 NHL games rookie defenseman Bichsel played, he racked up a staggering 155 hits. With an average 14:53 minutes time-on-ice, that’s a rate of 16.45 hits per 60. He proved that he can compete with anyone in the NHL, and you better keep your head up when he’s on the ice.

If Bichsel is to see increased opportunity, he’s going to need to improve his effectiveness without being physical. He often gets out of position going for the body when a smart read and zone coverage, or a quick stick, would be the better option.

At only 21 years old, Bichsel has a long development runway, and he just got a jump-start. The Stars have a knack for developing young defensemen, and seem to have a rare breed in Bichsel – who projects as a force in the top four. The only question is: can he get to the top of his game?

Ayrton Martino – 22, LW, 5-11, 161 lbs – 2021 73rd overall

When Martino was drafted 73rd overall by the Stars in 2021, he just missed the eligibility cutoff for 2020 by two weeks. He put on a show as a USHL rookie in his draft year, with 56 points in 38 games.

The slight-framed 5-11, 161 lbs winger spent four years playing well in the NCAA before dominating this past season. Dallas has been slow-cooking Martino’s development, and that could prove fruitful for the undersized forward as he makes the professional jump.

Martino’s game centres around his quick-thinking and consistent ability to find open ice in dangerous areas. He’s a setup man first and foremost – but this past year Martino took a stride in his goal scoring, potting 25 goals among his 51 points in 39 games. The hope is that he can quickly adjust to AHL competition, and soon after step into the middle-six role he projects to fill with Dallas.

Justin Hryckowian – 24, C/LW, 5-10, 194 lbs – free agent signing

An under-the-radar signing out of the NCAA – Hryckowian obliterated the NCAA in his final season. His developmental profile is similar to Martino’s, except Hryckowian is an absolute dog. He stands at 5-10, clocks in at 194 lbs, and loves to throw the body around. He’s very physically engaged and uses that tenacity to retrieve and maintain possession of the puck.

Hryckowian spent 12 games in the AHL in 2023-24 after his college season ended, which may have helped him acclimate. This past year, he was named AHL Rookie of the Year – posting 22 goals and 38 assists for 60 points in 67 games.

He will enter his age-24 season with the expectation to get a meaningful stint in the NHL. It is likely that Dallas expands on his five-game showing last season and gives Hryckowian the chance to prove he belongs in their bottom six all year.

Hryckowian is a sleeper claim to make ahead of 2025-26 in the deepest fantasy leagues.

*

Fallers

Emil Hemming – 19, RW, 6-2, 196 lbs – 2024 29th overall

Heading into 2024-25, the Finnish right winger topped the Stars prospect pipeline. Last year, Hemming had a disappointing season – even if it was his first in North America.

Hemming had an impressive draft campaign with 11 points through 40 games in Liiga, Finland’s top pro league. His 18 goals and 30 assists in 60 OHL games did not meet expectations based on his past quality of play. He was drafted for his dangerous shot, cerebral awareness, and threatening 6-2 frame.

This upcoming season is a major turning point for Hemming. He has to step up and show his ceiling, or slide further down the Stars’ future depth chart.

Aram Minnetian – 20, RHD, 5-11, 194 lbs – 2023 125th overall

Dallas Stars 2023 fourth-round pick, Minnetian, has two years of NCAA experience with only 24 points in 75 games to show for it. Offensive defensemen who do not develop the tools that make them dynamic post-draft rarely fare well in the NHL. Just ask Calen Addison.

Next year should be Minnetian’s final season at Boston College. He had nine points as a freshman and 15 this past year. Part of the shine in drafting Minnetian was the potential for second-pairing, PP2 upside — which now looks less and less likely.

Chase Wheatcroft – 23, C, 6-2, 192 lbs – free agent signing

Capping off his WHL career with 107 points in 68 games, Wheatcroft joined the Stars organization undrafted. The offensive side of his game hasn’t translated to the AHL, clocking 0.35 and 0.40 PPG in his first two seasons.

Next season marks the final year of his contract with Dallas. Not only have the points failed to come, but Wheatcroft has struggled to make an impact off the puck. This year offers him a chance to earn more term – or a contract at all.

Likely to See NHL Action

Ayrton Martino – 22, LW

Just coming off a hot NCAA season, expect Martino to get a taste of NHL action this year. The stint would likely be short — based on Dallas’ tendency to slow-cook prospects – unless he blows the doors off. If he sticks, Martino could be a sneaky valuable free agent in deep formats.

Justin Hryckowian – 24, C/LW

Mavrik Bourque won the ROTY for Texas, and now another Stars player has – Justin Hryckowian. After Bourque’s AHL rookie title, he spent the full next season in the NHL. The difference is pedigree, and Hryckowian may not be handed that same opportunity. Still, do not be surprised if he sees 30+ NHL games.

Remi Poirier – 23, G

Last season, Poirier served as the backup in Texas, playing 31 games. The starter from last year has left through free agency, opening the depth chart. A sixth-round pick in 2020, Poirier posted a .904 in 38 games as a rookie and improved to .908 in 31 last season. If Dallas has an injury in net, Poirier will be the first call-up. Worth rostering in deep formats.

*****

Top 20 Prospects

This section is intended to paint a picture of the Dallas Stars prospects whose current trajectory projects them to make the most positive fantasy impact at the time that they reach the NHL. Arrival date and NHL certainty have been taken into consideration; however, potential upside is the most important factor in determining this list.

1. Liam Bischel
2. Cameron Schmidt
3. Emil Hemming
4. Ayrton Martino
5. Christian Kyrou
6. Tristian Bertucci
7. Justin Hryckowian
8. Remi Poirier (G)
9. Antonio Stranges
10. Aram Minnetian 
11. Arttu Hyry
12. Brendan Gorzynski
13. Angus MacDonnell
14. Charlie Paquette
15. George Fegaras
16. Justin Ertel
17. Chase Wheatcroft
18. Trey Taylor
19. Niilopekka Muhonen 
20. Matthew Seminoff

****

Off-Season Updates

Jim Nill and the Stars have multiple contracts to extend with key players in 2026. Speculation around Robertson and Harley has circulated all off-season, but Jamie Benn’s contract signals potential for real change in Dallas. The 36-year-old right winger currently dons the ‘C’ and is set to become a UFA in 2026. Will Benn retire? If he does, who leads the next wave as captain? Hintz, Heiskanen, Johnston, and others all make strong candidates with the chance to leave their own unique mark on the team. Benn has worn the ‘C’ since 2013 – his retirement would mark the end of an era, and the beginning of another.

Jason Robertson and Thomas Harley will become RFAs in 2026, and both sides appear interested in extensions. Where the Stars may have hit a snag is in their cap flexibility after signing Rantanen to an eight-year, $96-million deal. Much of the public speculation is that Nill may feel pressure to move Robertson as a casualty of that decision – but his hand is not forced. According to PuckPedia, Dallas projects to have roughly $27 million in cap space by 2026, based on the $104-million salary cap and several expiring deals.

Multiple sources, including Sportsnet, report that Robertson may be seeking an AAV similar to Rantanen’s $12 million. That’s expensive – but doable. The Stars could afford to roster two $12-million forwards and still support a Harley extension.

After acquiring Granlund, Ceci, and Rantanen through trades, Dallas has no first-round pick available to trade until 2030. Their 2026 and 2028 firsts were moved with top-10 protections, which tie up the 2027 and 2029 selections as well. That leaves only the 2030 first-rounder at Jim Nill’s disposal.

The off-season has been quiet in Dallas, partly due to that lack of flexibility and partly because the organization seems willing to rely on internal growth – at least for now. Is that a bet on the kids, or just a fallback plan?

***

Final Thoughts

Looking ahead, the Stars are building a core around Wyatt Johnston, Miro Heiskanen and Mikko Rantanen. Both forwards signed big-money extensions that kick in next season. Rantanen is locked up for the full eight years. Johnston’s deal lasts five.

A contract with an $8-million AAV is usually accompanied by a maximum or near-maximum term. That was not the case here – and it’s a missed opportunity. Despite the $8.4-million AAV, Nill could not get Johnston to commit to the full eight. Some of the best-value deals in the NHL come when players reach RFA for the first time. Contracts like Quinn Hughes’ and Leon Draisaitl’s are built on locking in term early.

When a bridge deal like Johnston’s gets signed, the next contract usually carries a much higher price tag – and takes players deeper into their 30s. A recent example is Elias Pettersson, who signed a three-year bridge at $7.35 million before landing $11.6 million for eight years on his next.

That core will need to carry more weight this year. The losses of Granlund, Marchment, and Dadonov hit the top nine hard. Tyler Seguin, 33, is now projected to hold down a 2RW role all season, without the support he once had below him. The 3C spot will likely be fought out between Radek Faksa and Sam Steel, while Mavrik Bourque is expected to take over on the 3RW. There’s upside in that line – but it’s a clear downgrade from a third unit that used to feature two twenty-goal scorers in Marchment and Dadonov. The 2024-25 Stars rolled with three productive lines. Next season’s group looks more top-heavy.

Dallas still has a playoff-calibre roster, but they’ll need upgrades in the middle of the lineup – and possibly the top. Ceci’s departure puts pressure on Ilya Lyubushkin to play second-pair minutes, while Esa Lindell may be miscast as a top-pairing defenseman. Lyubushkin’s career average TOI is just over 16 minutes, and he posted only 14 points in 80 games last year. He does not offer the dynamism to keep up with Harley. Lindell has been a steady presence his whole career in Dallas, but deploying him on the top pair leaves upside on the table.

Ideally, the Stars can mine value from their pipeline and trade assets outside of firsts to patch weaknesses. Lately, the NHL trade market has favoured buyers. Players with real roster impact have been moved for second-rounders or other attainable pieces. Jim Nill has a long history of working that market aggressively. Do not be surprised if this roster looks very different by the deadline.

****

Thank you for taking the time to read this Dallas Stars edition of Dobber Prospects 32-in-32 series. My name is Arden McLeod – a student of Journalism and Broadcasting based in Vancouver, BC. It’s been a pleasure to update you on the happenings and outlook for the Stars. You can find more from me below:

Twitter/X: @HockeyArden

Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/lqR2TqjNQAdr1errCx