2026-27 NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown: Dallas Stars’ Top 10

Jul 17, 2026, 11:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 15, 2026, 15:03 EDT

2026-27 NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown: Dallas Stars’ Top 10

Welcome back.

It’s time for Daily Faceoff’s third annual NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown, looking at the best all 32 teams have to offer. We’re highlighting the top 10 prospects for every franchise, their biggest strengths and weaknesses, and so much more.

Here are the criteria for being labeled a prospect: players generally have to have played in 50 or fewer NHL games or spent more time outside of the NHL than in it last year. Players over 23 years old are not included. Goaltenders are a bit more subjective, but they must be 25 or under, have played fewer than 15 games in the past season, or have not spent significant time in the NHL overall over a three-year period.

Today, we’re breaking down the Dallas Stars.

Ouch.

The Stars have typically done an excellent job of finding value on draft day. Wyatt Johnston and Logan Stankoven were outstanding picks at No. 23 and 47 in 2021, respectively. Two years before that, Thomas Harley began his journey to the Olympics after going 18th overall. Nothing will beat 2017, though, with five of the seven selected players playing at least one NHL game, while Miro Heiskanen, Jake Oettinger and Jason Robertson all became high-end talents.

But right now? The pipeline is one of the worst in hockey. Lian Bichsel was promoted to the NHL last year and should remain a key member of the franchise. Beyond that, though? There might be just one player on the list below with a realistic shot at making the NHL in any meaningful fashion. Heck, it was hard finding anyone with a Stars jersey on for this list.

Dallas is in win-now mode, so this is absolutely to be expected. But they very well might have the worst pipeline in hockey. So if you’re a fan of prospects, this is going to be a tough one today.

Biggest Strength

This one was a hard section to put together. But if there’s anything that stands out, it’s their wing depth. Emil Hemming is the team’s top prospect, and I do feel like there’s a safe chance he makes the big leagues. I like Cameron Schmidt, but I know his uber-small frame is probably going to play against him here. Brandon Gorzynski is very interesting, though, because he projects as an energy-line forward. I’m not convinced he’s going to play a ton of minutes if he even makes it to the NHL. But his play style seems to really gel well with guys who make it in fourth-line forward roles.

Biggest Weakness

Depth. Simple as that. Hemming is the one player on this list with a clear pathway to a full-time NHL role. I like Schmidt, but, again, he might be too small to make it if he can’t rip opponents apart with the puck. Beyond that, most other players project to be third-pairing or fourth-line players at best, which is fine – but none of them is a sure bet to make it happen, either. Again, Dallas is all about the here and now, and that means the future ends up taking a hit. The result? One of the thinnest prospect pools in the game.

Fast Facts:

NHL GM: Jim Nill
Dir. Amateur Scouting: Joe McDonnell
Dir. of Player Personnel: Rich Peverley
AHL Affiliate: Texas Stars
ECHL Affiliate: Idaho Steelheads
Recent Graduates: Lian Bichsel, LHD

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

*Emil Hemming (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)*

1. Emil Hemming, RW, 20 (Texas Stars, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 29th overall, first round in 2024

As expected, Hemming was a big part of Barrie’s OHL success this past year. He had 63 points in 46 games while being a generally reliable two-way player. And that’s where the real value comes in: Hemming doesn’t make many mistakes in his own zone and always seems to show up whenever Barrie needs him most. In particular, he had a point in each of the four OHL final games, despite the Colts getting swept. Hemming will now look to become a regular contributor for Texas, where he’ll likely slot into a middle-six role. He knows how to use his big frame, and his shot is excellent for his age, too. I expect Hemming to be more of a third-liner in the NHL – but one who’s quite difficult to play against.

2. Cameron Schmidt, RW, 19 (Victoria Royals, WHL)

Acquired: Drafted 94th overall, third round in 2025

Schmidt was once again one of the top players in major junior, registering 100 points in 69 games between Vancouver and Seattle. The small, shifty winger was an absolute force all season long, and he was much more physical than I remember him. That’s especially important, given he’s only 5-foot-8. He hasn’t really bulked up much, but his speed and raw skill make him so difficult to contain. His lack of size will be an obvious sticking point going forward, but I still really believe in him as a smaller forward because his net-front presence is quite impressive overall. Look for Schmidt to challenge for a spot on Canada’s World Junior team.

3. Jakub Vaněček, LHD, 18 (Tri-City Americans, WHL)

Acquired: Drafted 59th overall, second round in 2026

*Jakub Vanecek (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)*

Vaněček was Dallas’ first pick in 2026, and they’re probably happy they landed him where they did. I like how he’s always moving thanks to a non-stop motor and good overall footwork. He beats opponents by taking their space away and forcing them to the perimeter. Vaněček isn’t too shabby with the puck, although his decision-making needs a bit of work. I like his two-way game, and I think he’ll force his way into a bottom-pairing situation one day. Vaněček is more of a long-term project player, but I still think he’s going to be a decent, versatile blueliner.

4. Brandon Gorzynski, LW, 19 (Arizona State University, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted 126th overall, fourth round in 2025

Gorzynski was one of the Prince Albert Raiders’ biggest additions this past season, but it wasn’t enough to get the team to the Memorial Cup. Still, it was an excellent campaign for the future energy-line forward. The 6-foot-2 native of Scottsdale, Ari., does an excellent job of making everyone around him better by letting them focus on getting into scoring lanes. Gorzynski will never be a play driver, but he works hard to win puck battles and is willing to compete in congested areas of the ice. He’s always moving and trying to chase down pucks. Gorzynski has the shot to be a solid producer at the junior level, but he also has the pure workman-like effort scouts love.

5. Tristan Bertucci, LHD, 21 (Texas Stars, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 61st overall, second round in 2023

Bertucci had a so-so final year in the OHL but impressed in his first year with Texas, averaging just under 19 minutes per game. In the past, I criticized Bertucci for being a bit too loosey-goosey with the puck, trying to make high-risk plays without a backup plan if they failed. He was much more contained in Texas, and it resulted in a solid 24-point campaign. Bertucci is a reliable, all-around defender who won’t impress you in any specific area but won’t let you down, either. Texas’ coaching staff seemed to rely on him a lot late in games, and that’s only going to continue over the next few years. I think we’re talking about a third-pair guy at best, but his game is still quite solid.

6. Rémi Poirier, G, 24 (Texas Stars, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 185th overall, sixth round in 2020

Poirier has been a consistent goaltender in the AHL the past few years, outplaying anyone who has come in his wake. He has a solid 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame, giving opponents little to shoot up at from up high. He’s a battler who never gives up on a play and has a quick glove hand to boot. Texas has had some solid goaltenders come through the system, but Poirier has always given them a run for their money. At the very least, I can see him remaining a solid third goalie who can shine in the AHL. But I really want to see him given a chance in the NHL sooner rather than later.

7. Aram Minnetian, RHD, 21 (Texas Stars, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 125th overall, fourth round in 2023

I’ve liked Minnetian for a few years now and I’m happy to see him turn pro. He’s not flashy, but he gave Boston College some solid stability during his three-year run. He also received rave reviews for how quickly he adjusted to the pro game with Texas as the year closed out. Minnetian doesn’t make many puckhandling mistakes, and he definitely plays with an edge. I don’t see much offensive upside here, but if he makes the NHL, he’ll be used more in a shutdown role. I think he’ll be a decent No. 6/7/8 defenseman in the long run.

8. Atte Joki, C, 18 (HIFK, Liiga)

Acquired: Drafted 146th overall, fifth round in 2025

Joki really opened my eyes at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup but left a lot to be desired the rest of his draft year. Still, I can see Joki becoming a role player one day, and I think he did a solid job of proving that this past year. He’s a hard-hitting center who is defensively responsible and can definitely shoot. Joki seemed to get more comfortable taking high-risk chances against men as the Liiga season wore on, and it helped him earn a spot on Finland’s World Junior team. Realistically, we’re looking at a player who maxes out as an energy guy, but with a 6-foot-2, 201-pound frame, he should be hard to contain. If he can add another element to his offensive game, watch out.

9. Måns Goos, G, 19 (BIK Karlskoga, Allsvenskan)

Acquired: Drafted 158th overall, fifth round in 2025

*Måns Goos (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)*

Goos was a bit inconsistent in his draft year, but I liked his improved play last season across three levels (including a very brief appearance with Färjestad’s SHL squad). His numbers were decent in the U-20 league, and he impressed in a call-up role with Karlskoga’s Allsvenskan squad. He’s set for full-time pro duty this year, where he’ll be able to show off his big 6-foot-5 frame and solid mobility. Goos is still quite raw as a prospect, but he’s capable of stealing the odd game – including a few massive performances to close out the season.

10. Jasper Kuhta, C, 19 (UMass, NCAA)

Kuhta was a surprise star for Finland at the World Juniors. He hadn’t played for the team in any major tournament prior to December, but finished with eight points in seven games. That, combined with a 63-point campaign in Ottawa, led to Kuhta being selected in the seventh round. I think his footspeed is one of the biggest reasons for falling like he did, but he’s excellent with the puck, creating equally dangerous passes and scoring chances from in tight. I could see him becoming an energy forward if he can better manage his physicality and speed. But as a seventh-round pick, I thought this was a good value selection by the Stars.

Other Prospects: Dylan Hryckowian, RW (22), Jaxon Fuder, C (20), Ayrton Martino, LW (23), Angus MacDonell, C (21), Justin Ertel, LW (23), Matthew Seminoff, RW (22), Ryan Brown, LW (18), Dawson Sharkey, RW (19), Charlie Paquette, RW (20), William Samuelsson, C (20), Sebastian Bradshaw, LW (21), Mikhail Cherepanov, LHD (18), Niilopekka Muhonen, LHD (20), Connor Punnett, LHD (23), George Fegaras, RHD (22), Maxim Mayorov, G (22), Anton Emil Wilde Larsen, G (18)

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