Top prospects for Dallas Stars

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 8-Sept. 8. Today, the top five prospects for the Dallas Stars, according to NHL.com.

Stars 32 in 32:*** ***[Season preview | 3 Questions | Fantasy breakdown ]

1. Wyatt Johnston, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 23 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
2021-22 season:Windsor (OHL): 68 GP, 46-78-124
The 19-year-old had a breakout season with Windsor of the Ontario Hockey League, this coming after he had 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) in 53 games the previous season. Johnston (6-foot-1, 175 pounds) also had four points (two goals, two assists) for Canada when it won the 2021 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship.
"For him, one thing I noticed is he's very hard to check," Stars director of player personnel Rich Peverley said. "He's very stable on his edges. You think he's going to get knocked down and he spins away. He has a high hockey IQ, and obviously that showed with the year he had."
Projected NHL arrival:This season

2. Logan Stankoven, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 47 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Kamloops (WHL): 59 GP, 45-59-104
Much like Johnston, Stankoven (5-7, 170) is coming off a tremendous season in the Western Hockey League. The 19-year-old was Johnston's teammate on the Canada U-18 team in 2021; Stankoven had eight points (four goals, four assists) in seven games.
"He's built very thick," Peverley said. "Guys are trying to knock him down and does a good job of staying low to the ice. He's hard to knock off the puck. He's just got a motor. He doesn't stop. He continually moves his feet, he's quick, he's always looking to score, always looking to create."
Projected NHL arrival:This season

3. Mavrik Bourque, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 30 pick in 2020 NHL Draft
2021-22 season:Shawinigan (QMJHL): 31 GP, 20-48-68
Bourque (5-10, 185) saved his best for the playoffs. The 20-year-old had 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 16 games to help Shawinigan win the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League championship before it lost to Hamilton of the Ontario Hockey League in the Memorial Cup semifinals.
"He has high-end vision, high hockey IQ. He does a good job competing for pucks," Peverley said. "He'll win battles, he has a heavy stick. One thing he's done well the past couple of years is how he uses his body to shield the puck. He's just a really good playmaker."
Projected NHL arrival:This season

4. Thomas Harley, D

How acquired:Selected with No. 18 pick in 2019 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Stars: 34 GP, 1-3-4; Texas (AHL) 27 GP; 0-11-11
Harley, who turns 21 on Friday, played in the American Hockey League as a 19-year-old in 2020-21 because the OHL season was postponed in December 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Playing in Texas helped Harley (6-3, 205) improve his defensive game.
"The past few years as a pro, we've not reeled him back, but he has to play the defensive side of the game first and that'll translate into offense," Peverley said. "He's obviously a fantastic skater, he has good size, he's very smart and he has a good defensive stick."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

5. Ty Dellandrea, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 13 pick in 2018 NHL Draft
2021-22 season:Stars: 1 GP; 0-0-0; Texas (AHL): 68 GP, 23-27-50
Due to injuries and illness on the roster, Dellandrea played 26 games with the Stars in 2020-21. He played last season with Texas, which gave the 22-year-old (6-0, 195) a chance to play top minutes at 5-on-5, as well as on the power play and penalty kill.
"Watching his growth, it was a steady climb all year," Texas coach Neil Graham said. "There are going to be peaks and valleys throughout that stretch, but what was impressive from 'Delly' was the habits he instilled into his game, becoming a man, becoming a pro. He really grabbed the opportunity. Now he can grab that going into summer and make sure he takes another step."
Projected NHL arrival:This season