A super early look into who Dallas could pick in the 2025 NHL Draft

Getting to know the 'Next Ones' way ahead of schedule.

For draft nerds, the Dallas Stars are about to experience some dark days. Again, some clarification: this is not a statement about their drafting and developing, only the current status of their prospect pipeline in the general NHL rankings. There are a handful of players worth paying attention to as NHL-possibilities (Lian Bichsel, Mavrik Bourque, and Emil Hemming), and that’s really about it.

Obviously, this is a credit to Dallas for being able to graduate so many prospects at such a high level, but that doesn’t change the fact that the cupboards are empty. The Stars’ defensive prospects are minimal. There are some interesting players, but no one with blue chip talent. All of their best centers graduated, and as a franchise, they are actively weak on the wing. Outside of Hemming, their most interesting flanks are Ayrtom Martino and Antonio Stranges. That is not a compliment. (Both are in my top 15, but I’d classify them as Tier 4 players.)

So Dallas needs everything, basically. Like in 2024, Dallas will not have a second rounder in 2025 — they will have a pick in every round outside of that, including two in the 5th — so choosing wisely will be extra critical. However, overall the Stars are set up well over the next three years to stock up. Every team has 21 potential picks to make over a three-year period, and the Stars have 21 picks over the next three years. They’re about to go grocery shopping.

Because the draft year hasn’t actually begun — well, technically it did with the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup — it’s impossible to say what kind of draft this will be. So far, it’s looking like a balanced mix of talent. This year’s Celebrini/Bedard is James Hagens, the US National Team’s top pivot, who set records at various tournaments this year as a 17-year old. Behind him are a mix of players like Swedish two-way center Anton Frondell, Russian phenom Ivan Ryabkin (they’ve been cranking these out lately haven’t they?), and minute-munching defender Matthew Schafer. Unless something catastrophic happens, Dallas won’t be picking high enough in the draft for a true blue chip talent, so I won’t be discussing the top of this year’s draft class, but as always, there’s still plenty of talent to choose from.

Below are a list of interesting names to watch out for. Again, their draft year hasn’t even started. But whether they rise or fall out of Dallas’ range is not really the point. The point is that it’s never too early to track the development of players who have already been playing meaningful games, and thus it’s never too early to talk about who could be a potential fit in victory green.

Further reading:

• Scott Wheeler’s early top 32 for the 2025 Draft

• Corey Pronman’s early 2025 NHL Draft Rankings

• EPRinkside’s 2025 Draft Coverage

Charlie Trethewey, RHD, U.S. NTDP-USHL

I feel like I can’t even use the word “need” without someone Scoutsplaining the BPA vs. Need debate to me. Again, please throw that crap out altogether. It means nothing this late in the draft. Dallas needs everything right now, but they absolutely need right shot defenders. As much as I like Aram Minnetian, he’s still a total long shot. Tretheway tracks as someone who will be less of one, assuming his development curve continues unabated.

The 6’1, 200lb defender for the U17 US National Team tallied 35 points in 52 games. He led all U17 NTDP defenders in production thanks to a heavy shot from the point, along with top pairing DNA, and a strong two-way game as someone who can defend the rush and break out of the zone. Doesn’t seem like the most comfortable puck handler just from watching the clip below, so it’ll be interesting to see how much of that improves.

Artyom Vilchinsky, LHD, SKA-MHL

I know. “Dallas doesn’t need any more left handed defenders.”

But if you have a chance to draft a Russian Lian Bichsel at the end of the first round (presumably) then why not? I don’t know that Vilchinsky is really a Bichsel clone. After all, he could turn into more of a Dimitri Simashev, but it’s hard to tell at this point. All the same, Vilchinsky is massive. According to Elite Prospects, he’s 6’6 and 240 (!!) lbs. For a kid his size, he moves along the ice cleanly, and is more or less your standard hybrid shutdown defender starter kit. Also, despite being left-handed, he appears to be playing on the right side in this clips (along with others).

I do think it’s possible for a player to be too big. You can tell he sometimes struggles with the puck because he simply can’t maneuver in a phone booth. This is the ultimately irony to GMs getting size-pilled, which is that physical strength can lead to losing physical battles if the opponent is simply more agile.

Still, everyone wants the next Alexander Nikishin, so don’t be surprised if Vilchinsky falls well out of Dallas’ range if he he doesn’t take a significant step forward this year.

Conrad Fondrk, LW, U.S. NTDP-USHL

I’m not really sure who Fondrk wants to be: playmaker, shooter, two-way pivot? Yes, despite being listed as a left wing, he’s got experience on the dots. With 45 points in 54 games for the US National U17 Team, the offense is clearly there.

However, I’m not blown away going by this clip alone. He strikes me as a player who gets by on the achievement gap. While he doesn’t have many standout skills, it’s quite clear his talents are above average in most areas. But again, we’re still waiting for his draft year. That’s what makes him so intriguing. If he struggles to be as productive, but is more consistent from shift to shift, he’ll be a worthwhile second/third rounder. If not, he’ll be a second/third round wildcard. If nothing else, Dallas needs left wings. Speaking of…

Bill Zonnon, LW, Rouyn-Noranda-QMJHL

Is it just me or is this kid the perfect weapon? (Copyright, Jeff Speakman)

Wheeler has him listed as his last honorable mention past #32, while Pronman has him at #27. But he seems to have it all. He works hard, he’s got pro size, pro speed, he can shoot, he can make plays, is physical, but he’s also spatially aware and capable of making some high-level reads in all four directions. In addition to the skill itself, his game looks projectable. As in, his game looks adjustable: the challenges of clogged lanes, more wallwork, simultaneously more speed and less space at the NHL level don’t feel like insurmountable obstacles given his skillset. (Again, limited information)

Sure, production in the QMJHL is easier to come by, making his 58 points in 68 games for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies not as impressive, but again, this wasn’t even his draft year. With Jamie Benn in the twilight of his career, Dallas needs an impact left winger besides Jason Robertson and no one else. Zonnon, like Emil Hemming, could add size and speed to a team lacking in both. Unlike Hemming, I promise not to turn my back on him if Dallas passes on a top four defender in favor of him. Promise!

Cullen Potter, C, U.S. NTDP-USHL

Potter led the US National U17 Team in points with 46 in 54 games. He has some of the most effortless, yet powerful speed among any of the 2025 prospects I’ve seen. So why would he be a late first rounder?

You guessed it: he’s smol.

There are definitely more interesting players than Potter, and for sure, of all the things Dallas doesn’t need right now, it’s another center. Still, centers make up the majority of the forwards they’ve been drafting lately, so don’t be surprised if we see a curveball. I do like Potter’s overall game. He has some of the best natural acceleration I’ve seen in a long time, and he leverages it aggressively. He definitely fits the profile of a player who can develop into a top 15 prospect, but if not, he still has a skillset Dallas lacks among their forwards: jailbreaking speed.

Sascha Boumedienne, LHD, Boston University-NCAA

The Swedish defender scored 27 points in 49 games for the Youngstown Phantoms. Although he fits the mold of your classic puck mover, he’s got pro size at 6’2 and 183 lbs. If he adds to that, don’t be surprised if he goes much higher. There’s a lot to like about Boumedienne’s game. Offensively, he’s well ahead of the curve. His off-puck movement is designed for maximum pressure, as he’s always reading the play, and finding quiet ice in the offensive zone. His statistical profile makes him look like an elite playmaker; a legit blueline quarterback.

Not sure what you’re looking at? Click here to read about Mitchell Brown’s tracking data,.

Predictably, his defensive game needs some work, but he’s not a total blank at least. While Dallas doesn’t need left handed defenders, I would argue that they’re still missing a puck mover beyond Thomas Harley (an argument could be made Heiskanen himself isn’t that type of player, at least in a primary capacity). If they went that route, Boumedienne would likely be the best puck mover available late in the first round.

L.J. Mooney, C, U18-NTDP

Everything about Mooney looks legit (hell even his ‘bloodline’, being the cousin of Logan Cooley and all). He’s got elite speed, elite puck handling, shooting, playmaking, even has defensive chops, plays with pace — you name it, he’s got it. What’s the catch? Well, he's the size of a toaster. Cole Caufield, Alex Debrincat, and Logan Stankoven — while these will be the names brought up when talking about Monney, he’s nothing like them. (What always bothers me about using comps is that they’re nothing like each other either.) He’s also nothing like Rocco Grimaldi and Jeremy Bracco. Again, Dallas probably won’t be interested in looking for a center, but he looks like he has the chops to play beyond his size.

Carter Amico, RHD, U18-NTDP

Will Dallas get a re-do on E.J. Emery?

I kid, but Amico is another in a proud tradition of the modern shutdown defender. He’s even bigger than Emery, at 6’5 and 205lbs. While he doesn’t look (a negligible term, as there’s basically no footage of him) as polished as Emery, he’s gonna be one to watch this year, projecting as the type of player to fill the right-shot void Dallas still has yet to fill. Rest assured, I’ll be tracking him as best I can this season.

Quinn Beuschesne, RHD, Guelph Storm-OHL

If you notice, the common theme here is: right-shot defenders, left wings, curveball, more right-shot defenders, and more left wingers. So naturally, last on our list is a RHD. Beuschesne had a relatively minor role with a Storm team led by who we thought could have been our 2024 first-round boy in Jett Luchanko, but who ended up going 13th overall, much to the chagrin of Flyers fans (boy did they hate the pick; that high they’re not crazy, but I suspect he’ll work out just fine). As for Beuschesne, expect him to take on a larger role is their primary puck mover.

Data and visual courtesy of Mitchell Brown.

He has an odd profile. Somewhat slight at 5’10, his offense didn’t pop off, but his transition game does. Transition ability is, I would argue, the most important layer for a defender’s toolkit in the modern game. However, the cost of everything else? Assuming good development, Beuschesne could be exactly what Dallas needs as a defender who can smoothen out a team that is clunky in transition.

Closing thoughts

Obviously, things will change in 2025. Some of these players will either be well out of Dallas’ reach, well within it, or irrelevant.

Nonetheless, I’m a sucker for all-things draft. And it’ll be interesting to see how the Stars approach the next several years with so many of their top prospects already graduating.