Stars Prospect Update: Lian Bichsel and Logan Stankoven Don't Scare

TFTC style: Through two games, Dallas' two top prospects don't seem phased by the AHL.

Through two games, the Stars’ next generation was on full display in Cedar Park. Lian Bichsel and Logan Stankoven were the two hottest prospects coming into the 2023-2024 season and for good reason: not only are they two of Dallas’ best prospects, but in Traverse City — and all throughout camp — they looked NHL-ready.

Two things can be true at once: Dallas’ top prospects can be NHL-ready, and Dallas can not have room for them. This isn’t the Simon Nemec situation in New Jersey, with the Devils crippling themselves by choice. This isn’t the Columbus situation either, where David Jiricek was clearly the best option but the Mike Babcock-loving buffoons in the high tower were too obligated to Erik Gudbranson and Andrew Peeke to make room, so they scrambled to facilitate a trade to hide their incompetence until an injury to Zach Werenski allowed them to recall Jiricek anyway.

Still, you can see how the two very easily connect. For now, I don’t want to talk about that connection. I just want to talk about who they are at the AHL level, and what makes them future NHL players.

As an aside, I intend to do weekly coverage of the Texas Stars. I was gonna call it the ‘Texas Stars Report’ but I forgot Stephen Meserve used to write exactly that feature for Defending Big D. That coverage will be pretty broad, combining news and analysis into one canopy. The only reason we’re doing a video breakdown today is because well…hockey sucks at scheduling and I’m out of Dallas content. Still, we’ve got plenty to talk about.

As always, for Texas Stars content on the beat, 100 Degree Hockey is your place.