Top prospects for Dallas Stars

NHL.com is providing in-depth roster, prospect and fantasy analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the top five prospects for the Dallas Stars, according to NHL.com.

1. Thomas Harley, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 18 pick in 2019 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Dallas (NHL): 6 GP, 0-2-2; Texas (AHL): 66 GP, 10-24-34

Harley (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) ended up playing a bigger role in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, when the 21-year-old had nine points (one goal, eight assists) in 19 games in the Stars' run to the Western Conference Final.

"That was a huge step forward for him, not only for him personally but for the team and his confidence," Stars director of player personnel Rich Peverley said. "He's shown that he has the skating capabilities and smarts and the puck-handling skills. He just needed to go down (to the American Hockey League), he needed to play a bit more to gain more confidence and work on his game. He did that for the majority of the year, and he was very much ready to take the step once he was given the opportunity in the playoffs."

Projected NHL arrival:This season

2. Logan Stankoven, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 47 pick in 2021 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Kamloops (WHL): 48 GP, 34-63-97

Stankoven (5-7, 170) finished not far from his Western Hockey League career-high 104 points for Kamloops in 2021-22. The 20-year-old also had 11 points (three goals, eight assists) to help Canada win gold at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.

"He's an outstanding young player, he has a heavy, accurate wrist shot, he's strong on the puck, he rarely gets knocked over," Peverley said. "He's really a hard-working engine type of guy who keeps his feet moving all the time. For him to come in and push for a spot, as most teams have the saying, if the player comes in and he's ready, you'll make room for him."

Projected NHL arrival:This season

3. Mavrik Bourque, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 30 pick in 2020 NHL Draft

2022-23 season:Texas (AHL): 70 GP, 20-27-47

Bourque (5-10, 185) is a true center but switched to left wing last season. The 21-year-old needed some time to adjust but once he did, he put together a great season.

"He was one of our best players in the playoffs and in the second half of the season in Texas," Peverley said. "Outstanding hockey IQ and vision and hockey sense. I think he's a guy who'll get a good opportunity at some point. That could be right away or that could be later in the season. It's up to him to come in and take a spot, try to earn it."

Projected NHL arrival:This season

4. Lian Bichsel, D

How acquired:Selected with No. 18 pick in 2022 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Leksands IF (SHL): 42 GP, 1-5-6

Bichsel (6-5, 216) signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Stars on May 6. The 19-year-old, who broke his ankle in May, didn't participate in on-ice work at development camp in July but Peverley said Bischel will be at the rookie tournament in Traverse City, Michigan, and training camp in Dallas.

"Kind of a shut-down, hard-nosed type defenseman," Peverly said. "He plays physical, he makes really good outlet plays, he's big, he skates very well. It's a good opportunity for him to come over and get his feet wet and figure out where he sits in the organization."

Projected NHL arrival:Next season

5. Christian Kyrou, D

How acquired:Selected with No. 50 pick in 2022 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Erie (OHL): 27 GP, 8-28-36; Sarnia (OHL): 37 GP, 12-29-41

Kyrou (5-10, 170) totaled 77 points (20 goals, 57 assists) last season, second among Ontario Hockey League defensemen. Peverley said the 19-year-old "took some major steps" once he was traded to Sarnia.

"He played more of a defensive role and put in situations where he was leaned on more on the defensive side, so he took a big step on that and I give the Sarnia coach (Alan Letang) a lot of credit," he said. "Offensively, he has the abilities. It's rounding out his game that's going to be important."

Projected NHL arrival: Next season