Stars go heavy on forwards on day two of draft

The Dallas Stars wrapped up the 2017 NHL Draft in Chicago by making five picks Saturday, leaning heavily towards forwards.
After taking high-end defenseman Miro Heiskanen and highly regarded goaltender Jake Oettinger in Friday's first round of the draft, the Stars selected four forwards and one goaltender with their picks on Saturday. There was no grand play with the high number of forwards taken on Saturday.
"That's just how it works out," said Joe McDonnell, Stars director of amateur scouting. "We're not drafting by position at that point. We are getting what our area guys are thinking, what they like, who they are real strong on."
Overall, it was a good weekend for the Stars. They got Heiskanen, the guy who No. 1 on their draft list. They picked up Oettinger, the goaltender they had ranked highest. Then in the second round (39th overall), they picked up a player they had projected to go in the first round - Jason Robertson, a left wing who scored 42 goals in the Ontario Hockey League last season.

"We had him rated in our first round, and it was the old cliché that we were shocked that he was still available," McDonnell said. "He has some things to work on, and that's why he slid to where he was. We're excited that he brings a lot to the table."
Heiskanen could push for NHL time in a year. Some of the others may be two, three or four years away from turning pro. Overall, the Stars see a lot of potential in the seven players they selected this weekend in Chicago.
"We're excited, but you have to keep things in perspective," Stars GM Jim Nill said. "We got the players we wanted. We think they all have potential. Now, it is go to work time. I think every team leaves the draft excited. We've got some high-end talent, and it bodes well for the future of the Dallas Stars."
Here's a look at the Dallas picks from day two of the draft.
Jason Robertson, Left Wing (2nd round/39th overall)
Robertson was projected as a possible first-round pick on some lists. The Red Line Report had him ranked ninth overall in the draft and TSN had him 30th. Robertson tallied 81 points (42 goals, 39 assists) in 68 games for Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League and ranked seventh in the league in goal scoring. He tallied 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 11 playoff games. The Stars were pleased to get the 6-2, 196-pound forward with the 39th overall pick.
"We knew we were going to get another good player at 39 and it worked out well that we got Jason," said Stars GM Jim Nill. "We're excited. He's a great scorer, and I think he is going to be a good fit for us."
The knock on Robertson is his skating according to some scouting reports.
"He's got a good stride, but if you watched him you'd say his skating would need to improve," said Joe McDonnell, Stars director of amateur scouting. "I think his stride is good enough and I think with some added strength it's just going to get better. His IQ and his hands around the net are pretty good."
Robertson had to sit through Friday night's first round of the draft and then wait until the eighth pick of the second round Saturday morning to hear his name called.
"It's really exciting to be a Dallas Star.**