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The 32-in-32 Series is an annual event here at DobberProspects! Every day in July we will be bringing you a complete breakdown of a team’s Draft, and insights into their off-season movements thus far. Following this up in August, we will dive into every team’s prospect depth chart with fantasy insights and implications for the upcoming seasons. Check back often, because we plan on filling your hockey withdrawal needs all off-season long!

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The Dallas Stars had a fairly successful season, making it to the Western Conference Final in the first year of Pete DeBoer’s reign. However, the draft is where a lot of the magic happens. The Stars were able to find the new core of the franchise in the 2017 draft, which meant they did not have to embark on a full rebuild. If getting Miro Heiskanen, Jason Robertson, and Jake Oettinger in one draft wasn’t enough,19-year-old Wyatt Johnston, now 20, being a staple in the roster during his first season in the NHL should be. And if anyone is going to find a diamond in the rough, it’s Jim Nill and company. 

Draft Recap

The Dallas Stars did not have a first-round pick in the 2023 draft. That plus a 2025 conditional fourth-round pick were traded for defenseman, Nils Lundkvist, before training camp of the 2022-2023 season.

Round 2, 61st overall – Tristan Bertucci, LHD

With their first pick of the 2023 Draft, the Dallas Stars selected left-handed defenseman, Tristan Bertucci. At 17 years old, he was one of the youngest players to get drafted this year. Bertucci’s strengths include his silky smooth skating and his elite hockey IQ. While he is not quite classified as a puck-moving defenseman, he is very good at protecting the puck and uses his excellent hockey sense to make quick decisions with the puck. Bertucci can initiate a breakout and is very accurate in his passing. However, the main component of Bertucci’s game is played on his own end. He is a lockdown defenseman and he is able to get good reads and anticipate the play before it happens. Standing at six feet, two inches, he is not the most physical defenseman, but he uses his body to create space and be a force around the boards. He also is very good with his stick, getting it in lanes and breaking up passes. If he can develop both the offensive game to match his defensive game, Bertucci could be a second-round steal.

Round 3, 79th overall – Brad Gardiner, C/RW

The Dallas Stars did not start the draft in possession of a third-round pick. They originally traded a conditional fourth-round pick that turned into a third (if they made the playoffs in 2022), to the Arizona Coyotes for goaltender, Scott Wedgewood. On the second day of the Draft, the Stars traded a 2024 third-round and a 2024 sixth-round pick to the Nashville Predators for this third-round pick, which they used to select Brad Gardiner. Gardiner is a very versatile player that can either play center or on the wing, as well as on both ends of the ice. He is excellent at forechecking and is relentless on the puck. This gives him an edge around the boards, using his body to outwork opponents for the puck. He does his best work below the goal line and is not afraid to take shots from weird angles. Although he does not have a first quick step, he is able to build up speed and close the gaps between him and his opponent. Gardiner could turn into a very efficient depth piece.

Round 4, 125th overall – Aram Minnetian, RHD

In the fourth round, the Dallas Stars selected Aram Minnetian, who will be playing for Boston College next season. Minnetian is a forward-turned-defenseman. This allows his offensive game to flourish, as his puck-handling skills are one of his biggest assets. His game on the blue line is built around creating chances for his teammates. Minnetian’s skating is one of his strengths but especially his ability to walk the blue line and create space and time to make plays. Though he is an offensive defenseman, he is able to defend well and his hockey vision allows him to hold it down in his own zone. Minnetian was projected to be a second-round pick that somehow fell to the fourth, for the Stars to snag. 

Round 5, 157th overall – Arno Tiefensee, G

Arno Tiefensee was selected by the Dallas Stars in the fifth round, At six foot, four inches, the Dallas scouts were impressed with his movement. The Stars have a history of drafting goalies that are a little older, so they have more time to develop. So at 21 years old, Tiefensee is considered an over-ager. However, he currently plays in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) against grown men. In his last season, he really shined during the playoffs with a .914% save percentage. 

Round 6, 189th overall – Angus MacDonell, C

The Dallas Stars selected Angus MacDonell in the sixth round. Even though he is only five foot, nine inches, his game is based around the energy he brings when he is on the ice. He has a strong motor and loves to crash the net and get in the small spaces. MacDonell is a playmaker to his core and has a pesky side to his game. He likes to drive up the middle of the ice and dish it to his teammates to make plays. He is also highly praised for his leadership skills. 

Round 7, 221st overall – Sebastian Bradshaw, C/LW

In the last round of the 2023 Draft, the Dallas Stars selected Sebastian Bradshaw. The 18-year-old is a solid playmaker.  His skating abilities are one of his biggest assets, allowing him to get around defenders to make plays. At six foot, three inches, Bradshaw has the tools to be able to use his size to his advantage as well. Additionally, he has a knack for producing chances and has a hard shot to follow. 
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Off-season Moves

Re-Signed:
Evgenii Dadanov
Joel Hanley
Jared Rosburg (minors)
Nick Camaano (minors)
Scott Reedy (minors)

Incoming:
Matt Duchene
Craig Smith
Sam Steel
Gavin Bayreuther (minors)
Derrick Pouliot (minors)

Outgoing:
Colin Miller – traded to New Jersey Devils
Luke Glendening – signed with Tampa Bay Lightning
Joel Kiviranta – unrestricted free agent
Max Domi – signed with Toronto Maple Leafs
Fredrik Olofsson – signed with Colorado Avalanche
Riley Tufte (minors) – Colorado Avalanche
Ryan Shea (minors) – Pittsburgh Penguins
Rhett Gardner (minors) – Philidelphia Flyers
Marian Studenic (minors) – Seattle Kraken
Ben Gleason (minors) – Edmonton Oilers
Will Butcher (minors) – Pittsburgh Penguins
Oskari Laaksonen – did not get qualifying offer
Adam Scheel – did not get qualifying offer

Pending RFA’s:
Ty Dellandrea
Riley Damiani

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The Dallas Stars are doing what seems to be a complete overhaul of their AHL team, the Texas Stars. There was a backlog of players who weren’t likely to crack the very stacked Dallas Stars roster and were in the way of younger players that need the spots in the lineup to develop. Not a bad problem to have for the Dallas Stars organization. All three teams (NHL, AHL, ECHL) made it within the organization made it to the playoffs this past season. 

The August 32-in-32 will cover organization depth charts more in detail, so come back next month!

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By: Taylor Newby

Taylor can be found on Twitter at @dallasstarstay