The NHL takes center stage here at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey as the 2013 NHL entry draft commences. It is expected to be a busy afternoon for the suits of NHL teams and a wild one for hockey fans worldwide as the picks have been some suprises in picks and some shocking trades.
Before the draft event started Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill confirmed that he had been in talks with recently bought out center Vincent Lecavlier, and that the Stars had interest in moving up in the draft, but it would be difficult as the cost are high. Dallas had nine picks in today’s draft and used them all on players of the future.
VALTERI NICHUSHKIN- 10TH OVERALL, KHL-TRAKTOR
Nothing but good things are said of the skills of Nichushkin. He is a big power forward, who is as close to NHL ready out of the draft that the Stars have had in a long time. Coming in at 6’3 and nearly 200 lbs, Nichushkin will be another big winger ready to take the ice for the Stars this season, his skill set has been compared to Rick Nash and Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill expects the big Russian forward to suit up in victory green this season.
JASON DICKINSON- 29TH OVERALL, OHL- GUELPH
Using their second first round pick which they acquired from the Boston Bruins in the Jaromir Jagr trade the Stars selected Jason Dickinson. Dickinson is a big forward who can play both left wing and center. Dickinson turns 18 on Thursday and certainly will spend this upcoming season and possibly the next in the OHL with Guelph still developing his game. At 6’2 and close to 180 pounds already, scouts talk highly of Dickinson’s skating ability and his hands to with his skating. With him being so young it is hard to call what his potential can be right now, but he seems to be a high risk, high reward player that Jim Nill saw fit taking a chance on.
REMI ELIE- 40TH OVERALL, OHL- LONDON
With their own second round pick the Stars selected Remi Elie their third left wing in the draft. Elie just completed his first year of junior hockey with the London Knights and in 65 games registered 17 points (7g, 10a) mostly playing 4th line minutes. Elie also registered 8 points (4g, 4a) in 21 postseason games for the Knights. Elie will get bigger a bigger role for the Knights for the next two seasons as he is expected to finish out his time in the OHL.
PHILLIPE DESROSIERS- 54TH OVERALL, QMJHL- RIMOUSKI
The Dallas Stars acquired this second round pick from the Vancouver Canucks in the trade that sent Derek Roy to Vancouver. Desrosiers is quite an interesting pick. Coming into the season Desrosiers was a QMJHL rookie and slated to be the back up this season for Rimouski, but soon took over the starting job playing in 43 games this season. Desrosiers also was slated to be the backup for Team Canada at the U-18 World Junior Championships this past winter, but soon took the starting job there too, and led Canada all the way to a Silver Medal finish.
NIKLAS HANSSON- 68TH OVERALL, SUPERELIT- ROGLE J20
With their third round selection the Stars selected Niklas Hansson of Sweden. Hansson is from Sweden and currently playing in their top level of junior hockey. Scouts describe Hansson as an offensive minded defenseman with a great shot and great playmaking and skating abilities. Much like current Stars prospect John Klingberg, Hansson will probably spend the next few years in Sweden and Stars fans can probably expect to see Hansson by the time he is 20-21 (currently 18)
NICHOLAS PAUL- 101ST OVERALL, OHL- BRAMPTON
Dallas went with another winger in the 4th round of the draft as they selected Nicholas Paul out of the OHL. Paul is 18 years old and he is a 6’2 202 pound winger. In 66 games for the Brampton Battalion Paul registered 28 points (12g, 16a), though described as more of a defensive minded player Paul only registered 21 penalty minutes for the season showing signs of disciplined defensive play. It will still be a couple of years before Paul can come out of the OHL and develop with the Stars or one of their minor league hockey affiliates.
COLE ULLY- 131ST OVERALL, WHL- KAMLOOP
The smallest player drafted by the Stars in this draft. Ully stands at 5’11 and 164 pounds. Ully registered 50 points (22g, 28a) for the Blazers this season between the second and third lines. he has great playmaking abilities, but his smallish frame doesn’t help his physical game much. Ully also registered 8 points (1g, 7a) over 15 postseason games for the Blazers.
MATEJ PAULOVIC- 149TH OVERALL, SUPERELIT- FARJESTAD J20
Very little to go off of with the Stars sixth round draft pick and second from the Swedish junior leagues. Paulovic is a Slovakian native and while playing for Farjestad this past season he registered 24 points (8g, 16a) in 42 games. He is a big winger at 6’3 and nearly 200 pounds.
ALEKSI MAKELA- 181ST OVERALL, SM-LlIGA- ILVES U20
The Stars final draft pick is a defenseman from the Swedish Junior leagues. Ilves is the same league where the Stars drafted Jyrki Jokipakka from in the 2011 entry draft. Makela stands at 6’2 and 190 pounds. In 52 games for Ilves Makela registered 26 points (8g, 18a). As for many other European junior prospects it will be a couple of years before they come to North America and test their skills there.
The Stars went high risk, high reward with their draft this year, an expirement that has worked well for Jim Nill in Detroit and Stars fans are hoping that his success can continue in his first draft as General Manager of the Stars. The Stars went heavy with wingers as seven of their nine picks play wing, but Jason Dickinson is slated as a center as well. The Stars have an emphasis on developing big wingers for the future and that developing players will take time, which is what Jim Nill preaches about developing prospects.
