The Other Stars: Dallas' top two prospects are top two in AHL scoring

Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque share the AHL lead with 26 points. But we still got report cards.

The Texas Stars had three games last week, beating the San Diego Gulls 6-5 in overtime on Wednesday, the Bakersfield Condors 4-3 in a shootout on Friday, and then losing to the Condors 6-4 on Saturday. Over four goals a game should net you at least two out of three, and that’s exactly what they did.

For Dallas (yes Dallas), the big story was their two top prospects becoming the AHL’s two top players, officially. But I’m surprised NHL talking heads weren’t talking about the hockey story of Friday’s game. I mentioned it on social media: with the game tied 2-2, Bakersfield unofficially scored a goal with 2:32 left in the third. The game went to overtime, which is when the league caught it: Bakersfield actually scored on a puck that crossed the line. So the game re-started to 2:32 left in the third with Bakersfield now leading 3-2. (You can watch the whole thing here.)

The reason why it’s so bizarre is that 2:32 is a lot of hockey. Who’s to say that Texas doesn’t score two goals within that time span? Who’s to say Bakersfield doesn’t extend the lead during that time? Sure it’s all theoretical — but how is it any more theoretical than the 2:32 that Texas played thinking they were tied when they were actually down a goal? Basically, Texas and Bakersfield played two minutes and thirty-two seconds of theoretical hockey.

I’m not saying the AHL made the wrong decision (or even a legally inconsistent one). If a goal is legally scored, it should officially count. But this should absolutely change how these situations are handled. If the league can’t afford the big horn, surely it can afford a mic that patches into the refs so they can blow the whistle. Just saying. But enough about that.

Quick note: I’ll start using various graphics to highlight the players in question in the future. I appreciated this feedback from the other day, and fully intend to do so. However, I just didn’t have time. Hey, it was my birthday yesterday. Cut me some slack.

Mavrik Bourque: (A strong) A+

For a fleeting moment, Bourque was able to call himself the AHL’s most productive player. Then his buddy “ruined” it. However, I’m giving Bourque the slight edge this week because all the little wrinkles and nuances to his game are more alive. He’s playing as confidently as I’ve seen him, and seems to generating even more with every game.

Playmakers are their own worst enemies. We saw this with Matias Maccelli in Arizona. However, once they realize that their ability to support the shooting of others is inversely proportional to their ability to support their own shooting — the game changes, and so does the threat level. Stankoven’s shooting is obscene right now, but Bourque is quietly on pace for 26 goals. Add to that his passing prowess, and the fact that he plays both sides of special teams, and you just couldn’t ask for anything more out of a prospect. There are, day I say, shades of Barkov to his game. Bourque will never be anything close to Barkov, but I do want this observation on the record.

Logan Stankoven: (A decent) A+

I posted all of Stankoven’s goals on Twitter, so I’m not about to do that here, but I bet you didn’t catch his penalty shot did you?

He misses, but because AHL games are always viewed from satellite angles, I don’t get to talk enough about player skills — which admittedly I have zero working knowledge except the knowledge of others that I pawn off as my own. Saturday’s game was slightly more visible, and at last, we caught some glimpses into Stankoven’s shooting style.

He’s a snapper, and a damn good one, which is probably why his pace for 52 goals might actually happen. Granted, there’s nothing special about a player knowing how to shoot. But read any textbook or watch any demonstration of what constitutes a perfect snap shot (like here), and you’ll see all the things Stankoven demonstrates:

• the perfect amount of distance between his arms and his body to establish the right amount of push

• the way his legs are balanced to add power and momentum

• the wrist control to create that whip of the stick mid-strike harkening back to players like Phil Kessel

…And all in one motion…

Honestly, I’m done with this. Stankoven and Bourque aren’t just the best players in Texas. And they’re not just the best players in the AHL. They’re some of the Dallas Stars’ best forwards.

Lian Bichsel: (A weak) C-

Let's get this out the way: Bichsel was horrible all week. And I'm not talking about a few random turnovers, or some unlucky bounces. He looked downright sloppy. He took three penalties in one game, and in general played completely disinterested. As someone leading the hype train, this is the last thing I want to write. But you come here for honest analysis, and so there it is: Bichsel had a bad stretch. Taking three penalties in one game pretty much encapsulates the week he had.

However, one thing I won’t do is psychonalyze why. Yes, this was his final week in Texas before going back to Sweden. And sure, it’s possible he checked out. But I don’t find this explanation satisfying. What if Bichsel had already decided in his head that he was heading back ever since the season started? How would that explain his fantastic performance every other game? I’m willing to buy it as an explanation. I’m just not willing to treat it as truth. In the grand scheme of things, we’re talking about three bad games versus 13 games of shift to shift precision, and spatial awareness.

Antonio Stranges: (A strong) B+

Stranges could be outscoring Stankoven and Bourque — combined, even — and I still wouldn't feel confident in telling you whether his skills could translate to the NHL. Let me show you what I mean with a little demonstration. 

Here's Stranges at his best.

Here's Stranges at his worst.

You could switch those descriptions around and the meaning would stay the same. What’s extra hilarious is that he pulls off the same move, first against one defender, and then he does it again versus three (!) defenders. In both cases, he ran himself out of puck realestate. On the one hand, his ability to power through checkers and defenders is admirable. On the other hand, this is not how you beat NHL level defenders. That north-south Beat ‘Em in a Footrace crap doesn’t cut it anymore.

So why I did I give him a B+? It’s funny. I don’t think I’ve EVER seen Stranges score off the rush. I don’t even think he’s set anyone else up for a chance off the rush. However, it’s when he slows it down that I think his skills truly shine. When he’s working in tight corners, accelerating in order to decelerate rather than Koolaid Man through zone coverage, and making reads, he’s a different player. Hopefully he can be both at the same time because only ever being one version of himself at once is why he caught a healthy scratch last week (not that I thought it was justified).

Kyle McDonald: (A decent) B-

Somebody on Reddit asked me about him, so I have to apologize. I haven't talked about him this year but I should have. After all, he was 16th in my top 20. EPRinkside had him at 15, saying:

McDonald’s always been a skilled player, but his vision and creativity improved consistently through his OHL time. Playing a give-and-go, lateral passing game in transition was his most recent improvement. Now, he’ll need to better use his frame to protect the puck, swap out the low-percentage shots for passes, and improve his skating. 

He's impressive for all the reasons you wouldn't think, and unimpressive for all the reasons you would. Stapled to the top power play unit, he's profiled as a goal-scoring power forward, and he's delivered on that throughout the season. However, he (#33) doesn't play a physical game. And that's been the pleasant surprise.

He plays a small man's game, weaving through traffic to add another route for his linemates (or himself), taking that extra step, or feinting that extra second with his hands to maximize Texas' offensive sequences. Long term I’d like to see more passing. He’s on the top power play unit and only has three assists; to offset that with seven goals thus far is fine, but just saying.        

Artyom Grushnikov: (A strong) B-

I haven’t talked a lot about Grushnikov despite what I saw at Traverse City; which was smooth-skating shutdown defender, specifically on the rush. It’s been slow going, what with limited minutes and the odd healthy scratch but with Bichsel out of the picture, he’ll be a player worth monitoring.

I really appreciated this play. He played his man aggressively and nearly got the puck carrier with a pokecheck. It’s a very very minor play in the grand scheme of things; especially since his offense is basically a nothingburger. But there’s room in the NHL for players like him. He’s basically just a bigger, more agile version of Joel Hanley; a player Dallas loves, so don’t be surprised if Grushnikov turns a few more heads as he develops.