Stars' 2017 draft class is shining as bright as ever

Ranking draft classes for NHL teams is a tricky proposition.
First, you generally need to wait 15 to 20 years, and then you have to ponder the nuances of position and points vs. impact on the game.
But if you're searching the Minnesota/Dallas list of annual player selections, the search might need to take that long or go that deep.

The Stars' class of 2017 is fast shaping up as the best draft franchise history. In addition to being headlined by the third overall pick in Miro Heiskanen, the Stars also nabbed Jason Robertson, Jake Oettinger and Jacob Peterson during those fateful two days at United Center in Chicago.
Now, there's a bit of kneejerk with this call, as Oettinger and Peterson are rookies this season and Robertson is in his second NHL season, but this most recent road trip unveiled just a little of the potential that could be in place. Oettinger went 2-1-0 with a 0.98 GAA and a .972 save percentage to earn the NHL's third star of the week.
The accension of Oettinger as a possible No. 1 goalie isn't unexpected. He was taken 26th overall in 2017 and has been a confident hard-working prospect since he arrived in the organization. That said, he's doing incredible things at the highest level right now.
Oettinger stepped into Denver last week and made 46 saves to stop Colorado's 19-game point streak. He beat the hottest team in the league when it played a very good game.
"I actually said to him after the game in Colorado, `Welcome to the NHL,'" said froward Tyler Seguin. "It was a true coming out party moment. We've seen him progress, but after that kind of night I think he's going to have a lot more confidence. He seems more settled in now and that could be huge for us."
Oettinger followed that game up with an incredible duel against Marc-Andre Fleury in Chicago, winning a 1-0 shootout against one of his childhood heroes. It was in that game that a few other members of the Class of 2017 stood out. Not only did Robertson continue to make key play after key play, scoring in the shootout and setting the table for his teammates, but Peterson also stepped up in his first shootout. The 22-year-old from got the game-winner with a fantastic shootout move that beat Fleury.
"It's a nice move," said teammate Roope Hintz. "That was a hell of a goal, and that gives you a little bit of confidence, of course, when you get the game-winning goal in a shootout."
Peterson has nine goals in 42 games, including four game-winners. He has indeed gained an immense amount of confidence.
"I was happy he got one," said Oettinger, who has become good friends with Peterson. "When he went there, I was super pumped. I knew he was going to step up for us. Such a good dude, and I'm happy for him."
That's another one of the benefits of being in the same class together. Oettinger and Peterson have helped each other, and the bond is tangible. When Oettinger was enjoying the spotlight in the road trip, Peterson also was beaming.
"He's so worth it," Peterson said. "He's a good guy. He's one of my best friends on the team. He's one of those guys that helped me a lot when I came up here, with the language and stuff like that. I'm so glad for him and I'm not surprised at all that he's doing that good."
Heiskanen was on a faster track because of his draft position. He already has logged 243 NHL games and signed an eight-year contract extension last summer. So when he makes plays like he did with a skillful poke check against the Blackhawks, it's seen more as a play made by a talented veteran.
"The timing and the poise and speed of his feet," Bowness said of Heiskanen's ability to make those plays consistently. "You watch his feet how quickly he closes, and then he has a great stick. That's his game. He has elite, elite hockey sense."
Robertson likewise has earned the trust. He's playing on the top line and his minutes have gone from the 16s earlier in the season the 19s in February. He leads the Stars in points per game at 1.02, in shots on goal at 133, in plus-minus at plus-18 and in SAT (shot attempt differential at even strength) at plus-133. That's impressive.
Robertson said that he's just trying to get better each day as he approaches his 100th NHL game. There's a lot to go here before anyone is crowning them the best of anything, but when you do this is a group that came in together, that makes it more fun.
"It's nice to think franchise goalie, franchise defenseman and everything else, it's nice to think we can help our team win," Robertson said. "We're very fortunate that we're all on one team together."
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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.