After ranking the top 100 NHL prospects for 2015-16 and ranking each team by organizational depth, ESPN Insider Corey Pronman ranks the top 10 prospects for each NHL team. Here is his entry for the Dallas Stars. Extended write-ups on prospects ranked in the top 100 can be accessed here.
The Stars' system has seen some ebb and flow due to the progression of top prospects such as Julius Honka and Esa Lindell among others, while some early-round picks like Jack Campbell and Radek Faksa trend toward bust territory. They've also had some graduations from their pipeline as well.
Roope Hintz took significant steps forward this season. He is 6-foot-3, skates at an above-average level and gets through the neutral zone well for a bigger player. He's a skilled puck handler who displays impressive coordination with the puck for a player his size. Although he's big, he's not an overly physical player. He also still needs a fair bit of work defensively.
Jason Dickinson is a good two-way forward. Defensively, he's strong on his checks, will lay out opponents, wins battles and makes good reads to disrupt plays. He's not a blow-you-away offensive player, but can skate at a good level and set up some chances. Patrik Nemeth is a low-upside player who is smart in his own end, has size and skates well for a bigger defenseman. He has shown he can handle the pro game effectively.
Remi Elie is a great skater who works his butt off, and can get involved in the offensive game a little. In the NHL, he probably won't score a ton, but he could be a nice third liner if he pans out.
Cole Ully isn't the biggest forward (he's around 5-11), but he is pretty skilled with the puck, works hard and shows solid vision and speed. Brett Pollock is intriguing, but a bit of a project. He's a big center with above-average puck skills, but his consistency and all-around game need work.
Noteworthy prospect
Stephen Johns was acquired from Chicago in the Patrick Sharp trade. He is big, strong and plays the body, but also flashes some offensive tools due to his above-average mobility and OK puck skills. However, his hockey IQ level is an issue, and consistency of decision making has been an issue in his game for a few years.
2015-16 impact
The Stars' defense is a major hole at the NHL level, but they'll have some young depth to work with this season. Nemeth has shown he can play at the bottom of an NHL roster, and could be slotted in that role right away. Lindell is ready to push for a job out of camp, depending on how the depth chart plays out. Johns is probably not 100 percent ready, but could be a midseason injury call-up. Forward Brendan Ranford has shown well at the AHL level offensively, and could be an injury call-up, too.