Corey Pronman details what to expect from the Dallas Stars’ new prospects and how they fit into the farm system.
2026 Draft Grade: C-
Without a first-round pick, Dallas had to wait to make its mark on Day 2. The Stars took Jakub Vaněček, who’s a quality yet unspectacular defenseman and has a legit chance to play.
Draft Class
59. Jakub Vaněček, LHD, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
February 25, 2008 | 6′ 2″ | 198 pounds
Tier: NHL prospect
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: High-end
Analysis: Vaněček is a mobile defenseman with good size who has been a solid two-way player as a junior. He can make a reliable first pass and has a great one-timer from the point. He’s not a projected power-play type as a pro and can be basic with the puck at times. Ideally, he adds some grit to his play, but he works hard and with his range, size and sense, he makes stops. He projects as a third-pair defenseman.
155. Ryan Brown, LW, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
October 27, 2007 | 5′ 11″ | 176 pounds
187. Anton Emil Wilde Larsen, G, Frederikshavn White Hawks (Denmark)
March 4, 2008 | 6′ 4″ | 203 pounds
197. Jasper Kuhta, F, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
October 28, 2006 | 6′ 2″ | 198 pounds
Analysis: Kuhta is a big center with legit offensive tools. He has good hands in tight, can make decent plays to his teammates and has a big one-timer that projects to beat NHL goalies from range. He’s not a hard-to-play-against type, but Kuhta gets to the net to create offense. His main issue is foot speed, and for that reason he may need to be a winger in the NHL, but he’s talented enough to play.
219. Mikhail Cherepanov, LHD, New Hampshire Mountain Kings (NAHL)
February 15, 2008 | 6′ 1″ | 185 pounds