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Dallas Top 20 prospects

Written by: Geoffrey Ussery on 12/03/2003

Here is Hockey's Future's current Stars Top 20 prospects.

No. 1-Trevor Daley, D

The biggest waves in the Stars system have come from this small, slick defenseman. Just as he did last year, Daley wowed management in 2003 training camp and preseason play, pushing fellow defenseman John Erskine very hard for the final defensive position. Despite the show of skill, at the end of camp, Daley was the final cut, mostly due to inexperience and probably partly due to Erskine's waiver status. He did not perform very well early in Utah. His plus-minus rating was the worst on the team while he was there, and he didn't put up large numbers for the offensively starved club. However, when injuries occurred on the big team, his preseason play and talent carried him to two stints with the Stars, where he is now. In Dallas, he has been a successful point man on the first power play unit and has created a lot of chances on the rush while playing well enough defensively to earn ice time. With the current injury situation, he could move to the graduated list as early as this year.

No. 2-Mathias Tjärnqvist, LW

Though he did not start with the Stars after a good preseason, Tjärnqvist's work ethic and talent earned him a call up after some time adjusting in the minors. Though his totals at the AHL level are not outstanding, he used the time to adjust to the North American rink, and it has help his play with the Stars. He has bounced around in the lineup from scoring lines to checking lines and played reasonably well in all the roles given to him. Though he lacks speed, he does play a steady defensive game and has been excellent on the forecheck. Tjärnqvist has a good chance of remaining with the Stars, especially if the team's inconsistency continues.

No. 3-Antti Miettinen, LW

Everything looked right when Miettinen started the season with the Dallas Stars after being arguably the best player in camp. In regular season play, Miettinen showed a ton of promise, but just could not quite put his game together at the NHL level. There were many times where the Finn oozed skill, like on his only NHL goal, but he still needs a little bit of time to adjust to the North American game, which he is now doing in Utah. His need for adjustment has shown up particularly in his normally stellar plus-minus rating. He has had issues with bad turnovers that have ended up in his team's net at both levels. The big difference is that the talented forward is producing in the AHL.

No. 4-Jussi Jokinen, LW

Another Finnish talent, Jokinen is enjoying a strong season in the SM-Liiga as expected. After returning from the Stars development camp in July, Jokinen promptly caught fire and was putting up points at a rapid pace through the preseason and early part of the regular season. He has since cooled some, but has been chipping in points regularly for Kärpät, which is now at the top of the SM-Liiga standings. He did play well for Finland at one Eurotour event and may play for Finland again later other events, especially if he keeps scoring.

No. 5-Jason Bacashihua, G

Currently slightly ahead of Mike Smith for Utah's starting job, the talented Jason Bacashihua is again showing promise with little results. Bacashihua started off the year dead cold but has since come back to get back to at least average numbers for a goaltender. Making his job more difficult is the team in front of him, which is not particularly dangerous on offense or defense. Whether Utah wins usually comes straight back on to Bacashihua. While he appears to have the talent to carry a team down the line, he currently does not appear to be developed enough to do so.

No. 6-Loui Eriksson, RW

The Stars first selection in the 2003 Entry Draft has shown tons of promise early in his career with Frölunda in the SEL. As only an 18-year-old with limited ice time from the fourth line on the strong team, Eriksson is hovering around the leaders for rookie scoring, having been that leader at times. In the SEL, Eriksson has shown a lot of drive. He is playing nearly without fear and earning a lot of praise from his coach for his efforts. He is expected to help lead the Swedish WJC team, especially offensively, in its effort to win gold.

No. 7- Yared Hagos, C

Hagos was another prospect who visited Dallas for the development camp over the summer. After leaving Dallas, he was soon joined by some of the players that he had worked out with when the Stars loaned some of their players to Hagos's new club Timrå. In his return to the SEL, Hagos has played quite well. He is not among the SEL scoring leaders, but he is putting up decent numbers for his club in what is essentially his second SEL season. However, it has not been his scoring that has earned him accolades, but instead his fantastic defensive play.

No. 8-Joel Lundqvist, C

After having a strong season with Frölunda last year, Lundqvist has fallen off his production pace from last season. Lundqvist struggled mightily through camp and most of the early part of the season. He was not playing assertively and had lost confidence in his game. Recently, he has rediscovered his game and he is starting to play well both ways. Should he keep up this play for the rest of the year, he may be able to match his previous totals. His skating continues to be an area of concern as well.

No. 9-Tobias Stephan, G

The young Swiss goalie was in attendance at the development camp in July, then returned to Kloten of the Swiss Nationalliga A for the preseason. Stephan struggled a little at the season's start as his whole team stumbled, but he did have respectable numbers. Then, during the November break, Stephan returned to Dallas for a brief visit. When he returned to the Kloten Flyers, Stephan was on fire, going unbeaten in seven and posting three shutouts in that span. Stephan is again expected to backstop Switzerland at the WJC this year.

No.10- Vojtech Polak, LW

Despite being arguably the most talented prospect in the system, Polak has not done much with that talent this year. He has done well against players in his own age group at international tournaments, but his production in the Czech Extraliga with Karlovy Vary has been anemic. Known as a sniper, Polak has yet to record a goal with his home club. His only Extraliga goal came while he was on loan to Sparta Praha immediately after the U20 Four Nations Tournament in November.

No. 11-Dan Ellis, G

At training camp, Dan Ellis had the strongest showing among the Stars stable of goaltenders. Since this is his first professional season, however, the Stars decided to assign him straight to Idaho of the ECHL where he has been sharing goaltending duties with ECHL veteran Blair Allison. Ellis started the season slowly, but he has come on recently to raise his numbers to better levels. One thing Ellis has had no problem with however is shootouts. So far, the young goaltender has not lost a game that went to a shootout and has allowed only a single goal on nine attempts.

No. 12-Martin Vagner, D

Had Vagner stayed healthy the entire year, he would likely be higher in the ranking. He had a much better showing at training camp, sticking around longer and seeing some preseason action before returning to the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL. Vagner played well both ways to start the season, but then injured his shoulder during practice. He sat out nearly a month before returning to the lineup. When he did, he picked up right where he left off. If he keeps up this pace throughout the season and stays healthy, it will only enhance his standing in the system.

No. 13-Matt Nickerson, D

While most teams looked at selecting Nickerson strictly on his fighting prowess, the Stars were gambling that he would have more than just toughness. Thus far, they have been proven right. After committing to Clarkson over the summer because they offered him a better position on the team than Michigan, Nickerson has gone on to cement his place as a key defenseman for them. Nickerson is playing in all situations and has been particularly efficient on the power play. Not to go unmentioned is how he is already piling up the penalty minutes in the NCAA even though it is a no fighting league.

No. 14-Brandon Crombeen, RW

A surprise second round pick this year, Crombeen has had a respectable season for the Barrie Colts. He has produced offense somewhat regularly for Barrie, but has been an effective physical and defensive forward when not scoring goals. His early season play was strong enough to earn him a spot on the OHL team that competed in the RE/MAX Russian Challenge. In the two games, Crombeen had a goal and two assists for Team OHL.

No. 15-Marius Holtet, RW

The talented Norwegian has shown improvement in his second professional season with Bofors in the second tier of the Swedish professional system, but he still needs to improve significantly before he can make the NHL. Holtet has improved his defensive game somewhat and has been a very abrasive player this year. His offensive production has not quite been to the level expected, but his knack for goal scoring has shown through at times. He should be representing Norway during their WJC tournament and will likely lead the team in scoring. 

No. 16-Mike Smith, G

After overcoming an injury he suffered in camp, Smith stepped into his role as part of a goalie tandem for Utah. Sharing duties with Bacashihua in Utah, Smith has been about on par with the more highly touted prospect. While he has not gotten as much time as Bacashihua, he has an identical save percentage. The one area where Smith has significantly outplayed Bacashihua is in his handling of the puck, but other than that their situations are about identical.

No. 17-David Bararuk, LW

After a strong year in the WHL year last year, Bararuk has joined the professional ranks with the Utah Grizzlies. He is currently tied with Miettinen among Utah's rookies for point output though he has played many more games than the Finn. The smallish forward has shown some acclimation to the faster pro game, but it is uncertain that he will ever match his junior production in the AHL. 

No. 18-Drew Bagnall, D

A bit of a surprise selection at this year's draft, Bagnall joined the St. Lawrence Saints in the NCAA after a couple of strong seasons in the SJHL. He has had a significant spot on the team from the outset, logging big minutes and usually playing in all situations. He produced very well at the start of the season but cooled after suffering a groin injury that held him out for a game. For an overage sixth round pick, he shows a lot of promise.

No. 19-Dan Jancevski, D

After a couple of seasons in the minors with Utah, it appears that Jancevski may be turning a corner in his development his year with the Grizzlies. Jancevski started off the year well, showing strong defensive play and a lot of toughness. His offensive production also looks like it might rise marginally. Thus far in the season, Jancevski has been one of Utah's best defensemen, if not the best.

No. 20-Justin Cox, RW

While not the most talented or biggest prospect in the system, Justin Cox has been an important player for the Grizzlies. He has been a leader for the Grizzlies on and off the ice. Early in the season, he was leading the team in scoring, but he has since fallen off that pace. Still, he has been a quality player for a struggling Utah team. His NHL future may not be that bright, but given that he is currently the highest scoring prospect in Utah, he has earned his position at the bottom of the Top 20. 

Injury Woes

Within the Dallas system this season, there have been a relatively large number of injuries to prospects, especially some of the higher profile prospects. All of the prospects below have missed time and struggled with injuries so far this year. The injuries are noted where known.

Drew Bagnall (groin)
Jarkko A. Immonen (back)
Joel Lundqvist 
Antti Miettinen (back)
Tuomas Mikkonen (groin)
Alexander Naurov (leg)
Martin Vagner (shoulder)
Janos Vas (knee)

Of these, Vas and Naurov have missed the entire seasons so far. Vas is still recovering from a knee injury, and Naurov is recovering from surgery to his leg. The others are currently in action.