The Dallas Stars have been in the hunt for the Stanley Cup for the better part of the last decade, but have done a great job of adding young prospects to the team over the years. Whether that was former Star Logan Stankoven, Wyatt Johnston, Thomas Harley, or budding NHL star Mavrik Bourque, the team has been very good at finding quality players while also remaining competitive.

The prospect pool is thinner than others in the league but that does not mean there aren’t a number of players you should start to get excited about. We have ranked the top-10 prospects in the pool currently. Here’s how it breaks down:

10: Brandon Gorzynski

The defensive winger was taken in the fourth round of this year’s draft after putting up 42 points in 68 games for the Calgary Hitmen in the WHL. A big body who lives right in front of the net, Gorzynski took a massive step forward this past season and should continue to grow his game this year in Calgary.

While the underlying offensive and defensive aspects of his game are solid and he makes the players around him better, Gorzynski is still very raw. That being said, he’s got a long runway in his development, and if he can continue to get lots of minutes and work on his physicality, he projects to be a bottom-six NHLer in a few years.

9: Mans Goos

The best name in the 2025 NHL Draft, Goos was a starter in the J20 Nationell, which is very rare for a prospect in his draft year. Playing on a very weak Farjestad BK side, he finished with a 0.893 save percentage in 24 games.

Goos plays a butterfly style and his 6’5″ frame allows him to get in front of most chances that come his way. He’s got a good glove and is a decent puckhandler, but he is not the quickest goalie on the ice, especially when the puck moves from side to side quickly. He has a lot of runway still to grow, and likely won’t see North American ice until next season.

It’s still too early to know what he could be, but the fundamentals are there. He’s incredibly gifted, but needs to work on his game a good amount if he is to be an NHL goalie. But if he can figure out the quickness, he could be a dominant NHL goalie in time.

8: Aram Minnetian

The 2023 fourth-rounder has taken massive steps forward at Boston College, putting up 15 points in 35 games this season as a right shot defenceman. And it is his defence that really stands out. Minnetian is not a sexy player, but he is solid, dependable, and mobile, able to keep attackers to the outside and limit chances against.

He does need to keep growing his offensive game and to keep building out his physicality in the gym, but in a few years, he projects to be a Chris Tanev-type defenceman who can play good minutes with a more offensive blueliner.

7: Tristan Bertucci

The gap between Minnetian and Bertucci is quite close, but the latter gets the 7th spot. Bertucci has a good amount of offensive ability, but it did not show up well in the regular season with the Barrie Colts in the OHL. The blueliner finished with just 37 points in 52 games, a drop off of seven points year-over-year. However, he was fantastic in the playoffs for Barrie, putting up 18 points in 16 games for the Colts.

Bertucci clearly has the offensive upside, but will need to show it this coming season in the AHL. His defensive game is quite good as well, and playing last season, he was responsible for more defensive load than his partner. How he does this season will determine whether he’s a middle-pair defenceman at the NHL level in a few years or another AHL body.

6: Christian Kyrou

Kyrou has always been known for his high-risk high-reward style of play, unafraid to carry the puck from end-to-end or to challenge defenders one-on-one. This produces many dazzling highlights, but also leads to many broken plays and pucks going the other way.

Injuries limited him to just 36 games in his second AHL season, but he was on pace for a better season than last year. This coming season, hopefully he can playa full year and earn himself a call-up. He could be a middle-six offensive option, but he needs to become more defensively aware and physical if he wants to stick around the NHL long-term.

5: Emil Hemming

The 2024 first-round pick put up fine numbers in Finland in 2023–24 before putting up fine numbers in Barrie of the OHL last season. Like Bertucci, his production improved in the playoffs, but he still finished sixth on the team in playoff points.

This type of production in both his draft and D+1 seasons is not what you want from a winger who was touted for his offensive skill and shot. While he does have a lot of good tools and potential, his production does not bode well for his future, especially given he was a first-round pick. This season will need to be big or he risks falling into bust territory.

4:Justin Hryckowian

The NCAA signing had an outstanding season in the AHL, putting up 60 points in 67 games as a rookie. He even featured in five games for the Stars, logging his first ever NHL point. Known more for his defensive game than his offensive one, the AHL Most Outstanding Rookie, he looks likely to be a middle-six NHLer in a couple years.

For an undrafted player to get to this point is no small feat, and a testament to his outstanding work to get here.

3: Cameron Schmidt

The most outstanding player on the Vancouver Giants last season, the 5’8″ winger had 78 points in 61 games, good for 22nd in the league last year. Known for his speed and smarts, there’s a reason the Stars nabbed him in the third round of the draft as opposed to taking him with one of their last picks.

Whether he can continue to be effective given his size is the question, but if he can, he looks to be a top-six forward at the NHL level in a few years. Size matters at the NHL level, and the last few drafts have been very size heavy. Can Schmidt break the mold?

2: Ayerton Martino

Drafted in the third round in 2021, Martino was a Hobey Baker Finalist this year and had 51 points for Clarkson University in the NCAA. A smart player who excels in the tight areas of the ice, Martino was named the top player in the ECHC this past season.

Drawing comparisons to former Star Mikko Rantanen, Martino is known for his playmaking and strength on the puck. He’s a phenomenal skater and can put the puck in the net. Assuming he adjusts to the AHL well this coming season, there’s good reason to expect him to be an impact NHLer as early as the end of this season.

1: Lian Bischel

Of course, the top Stars prospect is Lian Bischel. The 22-year-old first-round pick spent more time in the NHL than the AHL and actually looked better in the NHL. Standing 6’7″ and weighing in over 230 pounds, Bischel prides himself on his defensive game, but plays well in the offensive zone.

There is a reason his name has been in trade rumours for months– Bischel is legit. He should be a full-time NHLer this coming season and is likely a top-four defenceman if not a top pairing defenceman in a couple years. A fantastic find by the Stars’ scouting team.

Agree or disagree with our rankings? Let us know in the comments or on social media.