While Dallas Stars' fans, players and brass have been disappointed in the team's inability to get it done late in the playoffs, the team's deep post-season runs have come at a cost greater than just sanity, as the team hasn't had the opportunity to select players high in the draft.
Given this and the Stars having traded their 2023 and 2025 picks, it's perhaps no surprise that not one Dallas Stars prospect appeared in EliteProspects' Top 100 NHL-affiliated prospects list ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Last season, the Stars had one player who made the list in defenseman Lian Bichsel at 68. Bichsel has since graduated from eligiblity as the former 18th overall pick in 2022 iced in 38 games with the Stars during the regular season, where he netted nine points (4+5).
Even though the Stars haven't had many opportunities to select players high in the draft the past few years, there's certainly at least two names who could have warranted consideration.
2024 28th overall pick Emil Hemming was completely ommitted from the list after a mild 48-point, 60-game rookie campaign in the OHL with the Barrie Colts. Thankfully, things started to come along in the playoffs, getting 15 points (8+7) over 16 games.
With Barrie only selecting two out of three imports in 2025, it's expected that Hemming will return to the Colts and should be on pace to have a big year.
Another name outside the Top-100, albeit mentioned as an honourable mention, was the Stars' recent third round selection Cameron Schmidt. Schmidt, 18, is coming off a seismic 40-goal, 38-assist draft year season with the Vancouver Giants of the WHL. While Schmidt fell to the Stars at pick #94, EliteProspects had him ranked at 22 to end the season and THN's Tony Ferrari had him at No. 20.
Much like another recent Stars pick in now Carolina Hurricanes forward Logan Stankoven, Schmidt possesses high-end skills in spite of a small frame—the latter of whom was measured at 5-foot-7.25 at the combine.
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