One To Watch: Dallas Stars

-
It's not as much the Big 'R' in Big 'D' as the Dallas Stars are reloading as opposed to rebuilding. I guess those both star with 'R' but the point is that while the organization is welcoming an influx of youth it's also adding some veterans to the mix too. 

Netminder Jack Campbell will begin his rookie season as a professional although I expect, and I could be wrong, that he's probably destined for the Texas Stars for the year.

Newly acquired Cody Eakin is a personal favourite and a guy i think will become a crowd pleaser because of his tenacious style. He and former Edmonton Oil King Tomas Vincour should be full time NHLers this season. 

It's a big year for power forward and 2009 8th overall pick Scott Glennie and also for defenceman Brendan Dillon. Both were rookies last year in the AHL and will look to see some NHL action. 

My choice for this series came down to three collegians. Austin Smith was a Hobey Baker nominee in his fourth and final season at Colgate. The Texas native has the local-boy-made-good story behind him but with 36 goals and 57 points in 39 games, I'm very curious to see how he fits in as a pro. 

Alex Chiasson at 6'4 and 190 lbs has NHL size. He racked up 80 points in 73 games at Boston University over the past two seasons so the offence is also there. In 9 games on the farm he chipped in 5 points, just wetting the appetite of fans for next year. 

A lot of worthy candidates above and several others that I didn't mention but in the end I went with the other big name rookie from college. 

2009 Draft Prospect Performers Of The Week

Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW) / International Scouting Services (ISS) 2009 Draft Prospect Performers of the Week presented by the Pipeline Show & Hockey Now ending Sunday, February 15, 2009.

Each week, International Scouting Services (ISS), Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW), Hockey Now, and The Pipeline Show recognize the Top Draft Eligible player from each of the WHL, OHL, QMJHL, & USHL leagues for the upcoming 2009 NHL Entry Draft based on their play over the course of the week. Players are nominated and the selected by graduates of the SMWW Hockey GM & Scouting with each of the winners receiving a gift acknowledging their selection.


OHL – Matt Duchene, Brampton Battalion
Center
Born Jan 16 1991 -- Haliburton, ONT
Height 5.11 -- Weight 190 -- Shoots L
Matt Duchene earns this week’s award after scoring 2 goals and adding 4 assists in 4 games for the Battalion. On the season, Duchene has 29 goals and 41 assists to lead his team and sit 7th in league scoring with 70 points. Duchene is a strong player with good speed who is willing to battle for pucks in the offensive zone.


WHL – Levko Koper, Spokane Chiefs
Left Wing
Born Oct 5 1990 -- Edmonton, ALTA
Height 6.00 -- Weight 190 -- Shoots L
Levko Koper earns his first nomination as draft performer of the week after registering 2 goals and 8 points in 5 games for Spokane. Koper currently sits second in team scoring with 19 goals and 33 assists for 52 points, a career high, in this his third season in the WHL.


QMJHL – Dmitry Kulikov, Drummondville Voltigeurs
Defense
Born Oct 29 1990
Height 6.01 -- Weight 195 -- Shoots L
Dmitry Kulikov joins the list of multiple award winners after recording 2 goals and 4 assists in 3 games this week. Kulikov, in his first year in the CHL, is amongst the leading defenseman in scoring with 9 goals and 45 assists for 54 points in 47 games. Kulikov is a skilled defenseman who likes to join the rush and plays in all situations.

USHL – Alex Chiasson, Des Moines Buccaneers
Right Wing
Born Oct 1 1990 -- St. Augustin, PQ
Height 6.03 -- Weight 175 -- Shoots R
Alex Chiasson wins his second award after registering 4 assists and a plus-2 rating in 3 games this week. Chiasson, a native of St. Augustin, PQ is in his first season with Des Moines and is currently leading the team in scoring with 14 goals and 23 assists, placing him inside the top 20 in league scoring as well. Chiasson is a playmaker with good size.