Dallas Stars Draft Picks: Breaking Down New Players from the 2022 NHL Draft
The Dallas Stars have had some up and down seasons recently and have suffered through the comments made by their own management about their star players.
The Stars have made it their mission to once again be playoff contenders, not only this season but going forward. They have done what they needed to do in free agency for the current season, but they have also done well in the 2022 NHL Draft.
By picking the players they did, the Stars set themselves up to have a nasty, yet offensive, blueline that would be a problem for opposing teams down the road.
In all, the Stars selected six players in this year’s draft to be a part of their future, with four of those picks being defensemen. While some of these defensemen are larger than others, they all have some toughness but also have an offensive side that they all can contribute to.
Here’s a look at the Dallas Stars’ picks from the 2022 NHL Draft.
Dallas made choices before the draft that they were going defensive and they came out with some gems.
With Jamie Oleksiak gone to the Seattle Kraken and the 2022/23 whereabouts of John Klingberg up in the air, the Stars selected their possible replacements. Dallas has now set themselves up for future success on defense.
The Stars have never been loaded on defense, but with this core that was just drafted, they now have that potential.
Dallas also drafted a goaltender and a forward. The goaltender is solid and has a bright future, with possibly a starter role with the Stars.
The forward has the potential to see time in the middle six with the Stars. Both players bring depth to an organization that does not have the deepest prospect pool in the league.
The Stars have been in the playoff mix for years now and have not lifted Lord Stanley. That may be the same case next year, but they do have some young guns on the rise that could change that sooner than later, and that outcome could start with this draft class.
The Stars made their first pick (18th overall) by selecting defenseman Lian Bichsel, a 6-foot-5 and 225-pounder from Olten, Sweden. Built like a truck, Bichsel plays with a lot of energy and likes to pinch in the offensive zone. He is also a good puck handler and passer for a player of his size.
On defense, Bichsel is fierce and plays a physical game. He uses his stick and size to dominate the opposition and break up passing lanes. Bichsel gives the Stars something that they have not had in years, and that is size and toughness.
Last season, Bichsel played for two teams. Playing for Leksands IF in the SHL he posted 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points, and 16 penalty minutes, in 29 games. While playing for Leksands IF U20 team, he registered 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points, and 6 penalty minutes, in 11 games.
With the next pick, the Stars drafted the younger brother of Jordan Kyrou, defenseman Christian Kyrou with the 50th pick.
The offensive defenseman out of Komoka, Ontario has an array of skills on the ice. He often looks off defenders while passing to create offense. Kyrou also has a good zone exit and a decent array of shots that get through lanes and sets up chances on offense.
He could play anywhere in the top four when he arrives in Dallas. Kyrou has star potential and playmaking ability to shine in the NHL. Defensively, he can take care of his own zone and play a simple, yet effective, defensive game.
Last season for the OHL Erie Otters, he played in 68 games, recording 18 goals and 42 assists for 60 points, and 44 penalty minutes.
Dallas then selected defenseman George Fegaras with its next pick, 83rd overall, in round 3. The 6-foot-2 and 194-pound blueliner has already committed to play for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2022/23 and for Cornell University in 2023/24.
The Richmond Hill, Ontario native has a high point-per-game average but is also solid in his own end. Fegaras has above-average speed and can play either special team role.
He sees the play well and anticipates where his teammates will be, then hits them with one of his crisp passes. He has high defensive awareness and the ability to jump into the play when needed.
Last season for the North York Rangers of the OJHL, he posted 13 goals and 35 assists for 48 points, along with 40 penalty minutes, in 52 games. He brings a solid, all-around game to Dallas where he is well suited to take over as the power play quarterback.
Next, the Stars selected 6-foot-0 and 185-pound defenseman Gavin White. The Brockville, Ontario native was chosen in the 4th round, 115th overall.
White is like a fourth forward on the ice, always lurking for an opening to score. He can play an aggressive game on both ends of the ice while displaying great vision.
White also has the potential to quarterback a power play, as he uses the shot pass quite often. He has a good shot, one he uses for deflections and rebounds. His shot selection is one for accurate shots, always hitting his spots.
On defense, he has great awareness and closes the gaps before the opposition sets up shop. White enjoys getting in scrums in front of the net, especially when he is protecting his netminder.
During the 2021/22 season with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the OHL, White scored 10 goals and added 46 assists for 56 points to go along with 21 penalty minutes.
The Stars then selected goaltender Maxim Mayorov in round 5, pick #147. The 6-foot-6 and 199-pound goaltender has already committed to play the 2022/23 season with Loko Yaroslavl of the MHL.
Mayorov, a native of Togliatti, Russia is a massive goaltender who takes up a lot of the net. He is good at rebound recovery, is incredibly flexible and agile for a player of his size, and has good lateral movement from side to side.
During the 2021/22 season, he had a record of 14-10-2, a GAA of 2.16, and a .931 save percentage with 3 shutouts in 32 games with Lada Togliatti of the MHL.
With his size alone he can be a force between the pipes. However, he does have the speed and skill to go along with that size, and that allows him to control the game from the crease. Mayorov is a bigger and faster version of former Stars goaltender Ben Bishop.
Lastly, the Stars selected their only forward in the draft, right-winger Matthew Seminoff with the 179th pick (6th round). The 5-foot-11 and 183-pound native of Leesburg, Virginia could be a sneaky good pick for Dallas.
He is a versatile player that does a bit of everything on the ice. He plays well without the puck, always moving into scoring areas, has an accurate shot, and is good in every aspect of the offensive zone.
Last season, while playing for the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL, he scored 26 goals and added 31 assists for 57 points in 64 games. While Seminoff did not average a point per game, he did have plenty of games where he was constantly setting up teammates for scoring chances.
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Seminoff can play anywhere in the lineup and be effective. He looks to be a middle-six forward in Dallas but do not be surprised if he gets time on the top line.