NHL CBA Negotations Not Going Very Well

Dallas Stars Offseason Review

In their first off-season with a new owner willing to spend money, the Stars front-office did a good job of adding young talent for the future while also giving themselves a chance to compete for the playoffs in 2012.

Dallas Stars Sign Philip Larsen To 2-Year Deal

The Dallas Stars have been busy retaining their own restricted free agents and the latest to they have re-signed is Philip Larsen. The Stars and Larsen agreed to a two-year deal which will pay him $2.05 million with the first year being worth $900,000 and $1.15 million in the second.

Larsen was called up last year and was a surprise addition for the Stars, and Defending Big D likes the move to keep Larsen:

While his offense still hasn't fully translated to the NHL, Larsen showed a willingness to play aggressive and physical that allowed him to blossom defensively. Larsen will be a starting defenseman again this season and could find himself in a top four role to start the season. While Larsen played at times with Alex Goligoski last season, he was also very effective Trevor Daley as well.

Overall, it's a good contract for the budding defenseman both for the team and the player and a good sign to see the Stars able to keep a promising young player at a good price.

Dallas Sign Goalie Richard Bachman To A 1-Year Deal

The Dallas Star have added another goalie to the mix when they re-signed Richard Bachman to a one-year deal worth $625,000. The 2011-12 season was the first for Bachman and he became the first rookie in Stars history to win his first three starts. Bachman played in 18 games and had a 8-5-1 record with a 2.77 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage last season.

Originally drafted in 2006, Bachman spent two seasons at Colorado College before making his professional debut with the Stars ECHL affiliate the Idaho Steelheads in the 2009-10 season, and was named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team in 2009-10 plus he finished as runner-up for the ECHL Goaltender of the Year award.

With Bachman back on the Stars it gives them three total goalies, and the starting position is wide open. The other two goalies who will be challenging for the starting spot are Christopher Nihlstorp and Jack Campbell.

Hockey Prospectus Impressed With Dallas Stars Offseason

The Dallas Stars have enjoyed a strange offseason so far. Fan favorite Steve Ott was traded to the Buffalo Sabres for impending free agent Derek Roy -- who just so happened to undergo shoulder surgery on Wednesday, and is sidelined until November.

The Stars signed a pair of aged superstars Ray Whitney and Jaromir Jagr, and also brought in Cody Eakin and Aaron Rome.

Though we have no idea how well the Stars will play next year, the folks over at Hockey Prospectus get paid to forecast these things. Using a statistic called Goals Versus Threshold (GVT), the writers at Hockey Prospectus have analyzed each team's offseason -- and the Stars grade our pretty favorably.

According to GVT, only the Minnesota Wild, Tampa Bay Lightning and Winnipeg Jets have had better offseasons than the Stars. Let's also remember that the Wild paid top dollar for both Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, so they clearly should be No. 1.

For more on the Dallas Stars, head over to Defending Big D and join the discussion.

Dallas Stars News: Derek Roy Undergoes Shoulder Surgery

When the Dallas Stars traded Steve Ott and Adam Pardy for Derek Roy, I doubt this is the kind of news they wanted to hear. Less than two weeks after acquiring the center from Buffalo, Roy has gone under the knife, undergoing surgery to fix his ailing shoulder.

Roy filled a team need as a top six center, but unfortunately for the Stars, Roy will be out until at least early November.

Derek Roy had shoulder surgery today. Out until November. More to come.

— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) July 11, 2012

Roy had a disappointing year in 2011-12, and will be looking to rebound before he hits the free agent market next summer. This certainly isn't a step in the right direction, but, it's far better to get any surgical procedure out of the way in the offseason, rather than letting an injury linger on into the season, when Roy could worsen the condition.

For more on the Dallas Stars, be sure to check out Defending Big D and join the discussion.

Jaromir Jagr Is Smart, Low-Risk Move

NHL Trade Reaction: SI Questions Stars Long Term Plan

While each of the moves the Dallas Stars have made over the last two weeks (dealing Mike Ribeiro and Steve Ott, signing Ray Whitley and Jaromir Jagr) have made sense individually, there's still a question as to what this team's plan is long-term.

That, at least, was the reaction from SI.com's hockey columnist Allan Muir as he recapped the deal that sent Steve Ott to Buffalo and Derek Roy to Dallas:

And maybe [Roy] will get back to the 60-point range and add some zip to a dreadful power play. It might even lead to a few more wins next season... but to what end? At 29, and with a year to go before UFA status, Roy looks like another finger in the dike. And what does that mean for the Stars? Another year or two of being in the hunt, only to fall short? Another first rounder in the 10-15 range?

Nieuwendyk is regarded as a smart man around the league. So smart that it's worth wondering whether he's getting input from above on these deals. They sure don't feel like they're coming from a unified vision.

The Stars have a bonafide star in Jamie Benn, but considering that Dallas is not a hockey town and seems unlikely to lure a big-time free agent, is the best way to acquire more talent around Benn to sink to the top of the draft?

Read more on the Stars at Defending Big D and SB Nation Dallas.

Dealing Steve Ott, While Painful, Was The Right Move

In the trade, the Stars dumped a useless salary and acquired a second-line center (Derek Roy) who should take a lot of pressure off of Jamie Benn.

Jaromir Jagr Signs 1-Year Deal With Dallas Stars, According To Report

According to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, the Dallas Stars have continued their offseason roster overhaul by landing a legendary veteran:

Hearing that Jaromir Jagr has agreed to one-year, $4.5-million deal with the Dallas Stars

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) July 3, 2012

Jagr, a long-time All-Star with the Pittsburgh Penguins, returned to the NHL in 2011 and signed with the Philadelphia Flyers, posting strong numbers (19 goals, 54 points) in his comeback. His agent publicly announced that Jagr refused offers from Montreal and Boston on Monday, citing a desire to play in a "Top-6 forward role" and in a city that isn't too tough on the players, according to CSNNE:

But according to a source with knowledge of the proceedings, Jagr isn’t interested in playing for the Bruins or Montreal Canadiens as he seeks a new home among the "21 suitors" his agent claims have reached out for the Czech legend’s services.

SB Nation's own Brandon Worley of Defending Big D summed up the potential move as a potential positive in terms of immediate goal scoring and local interest, but within reason:

"I'm not particularly put off by the notion of signing Jagr, only if his presence this season does not hinder the progress and opportunities of the young players on the roster. The Stars need to be competitive and sell tickets, however, and this would be a very big part of that process."

Read more on the Stars at Defending Big D and SB Nation Dallas.

Dallas Stars Trade: Steve Ott, Adam Pardy To Buffalo Sabres For Derek Roy

The Dallas Stars have sent Steve Ott and Adam Pardy to Buffalo for Derek Roy, as multiple reports have confirmed.

NHL Free Agents 2012: Top Forwards Available

The Stars will be one of many teams making a strong push for New Jersey Devils LW Zach Parise, the top forward in the free agent market.

Stars Free Agency 2012: Dallas Lose Defensman Sheldon Souray To Anaheim

The Dallas Stars lost free agent defenseman Sheldon Souray who signed a three-year deal for $11 million Sunday night with the Anaheim Ducks. Souray had a comeback year of sorts as he scored six goals and racked up 15 assists in just 64 games.

Sheldon has been a three-time NHL All-Star but he is now joining his fifth team in 12 years. He sat out the 2010-11 season over a contract dispute with the Edmonton Oilers and during that year he played in the AHL.

Duck fans are not too happy with the move and feel they overpaid for Souray:

Souray, a three-time NHL All-Star is long removed from his glory years in Montreal, and most Ducks and NHL fans really wonder what left he has to give. The quintessential player who you "take a flyer on" or "have a brief look at" was signed by General Manager Bob Murray for a grand total of three-years and $11 million. The most upsetting part isn't the fact that it was an overpay - pay him $6, or $8 million for all I care - what is bothersome is the fact that the Ducks locked Souray up through 2015, for a total of three, long, grueling years. The equivalent of a death sentence for toxic contracts in today's NHL.

For more on the Stars, be sure to head over to Defending Big D and join the discussion. Also visit SB Nation's hockey hub for more off season news.

Stars Free Agency 2012: Dallas Sign Aaron Rome To 3-Year Deal

The Dallas Stars signed free agent defenseman Aaron Rome to a three-year deal worth $4.5 million on Sunday.

Rome spent the past three seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, but last season he was limited to only 43 games due to thumb, knee and hand injuries. Rome is likely to be considered a third pairing player and the seventh defenseman for the upcoming season.

Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk likes what Rome can bring to the team:

"Aaron is a physical defensive defenseman who adds size and grit to our blue line," said Nieuwendyk. "He competes at a very high level and helps make our team harder to play against. We're very pleased to add Aaron to our team for the next three years."

Rome is possibly most famous for his hit on Nathan Horton in the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals.

For more on the Stars, be sure to head over to Defending Big D and join the discussion. Also visit SB Nation's hockey hub for more off season news.

Ray Whitney Signs 2-Year Deal With Dallas Stars

NHL Free Agents 2012: Top Defensemen Available

The back-line is a position of need for the Stars, but a thin free agent class, headlined by Ryan Suter, may not be the answer.

Scouting The Dallas Stars Late Round Draft Picks

Round 3 - Pick 13 (74 overall)

Esa Lindell - D, Jokerit (Finland)
6'2"/~190 lbs

The Stars took another European defender in the third round, this time the young Finnish defenseman Esa Lindell. He's played pretty much his entire career with Jokerit, the giants of the Finnish league and he's done very well there. Last season with the Jokerit U-20 squad, he had 51 points (21 goals) in 48 games. That's a great mark for a defenseman and shows the offensive potential that he has. He's not that great defensively, but he's got plenty of time to improve and it's his offensive skill that really makes him intriguing. Erik Karlsson just won the Norris Trophy (albeit controversially) and he's a all about the offense (he's a terrible defender).

With three defensemen on their way to the AHL this year, this is one of those picks to restock the prospect pool across the pond. If he really grows his game, he could be a power play quarterback for the team in the future with a bit of size to boot. This is a good project pick that could pay big dividends.

Round 4 - Pick 13 (104 overall)

Gemel Smith - C, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
5'10"/~165 lbs

After all those big bodies in the first three rounds, the Stars went with a small, quick center in Gemel Smith. He's the fastest player of all the Stars picks this year (one of the fastest in the entire draft) and has a pretty good two-way game to boot. He's just a hard working player that will fight on both sides of the ice and can be used like a Swiss Army knife, anywhere on the ice. He's also got a great work ethic so no red flags in his game there.

The only problem is his size, He may outwork guys to the puck but he's going to have trouble against big defensemen along the boards. His speed is a huge asset though and makes him an intriguing project. I wouldn't mind seeing him as a third/fourth liner ~3-5 years down the road if he can keep working hard and improving his overall game. There have been plenty of small forwards to succeed in the NHL and Smith certainly has the work ethic and mentality to make it.

Round 5 - Pick 13 (134 overall)

Branden Trook - RW, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) (@BTroock)
6'3"/~205 lbs

The Stars first pick in the fifth round was the first non-center/defenseman. Winger Branden Troock has had a pretty tough career. He missed the entire 2010-2011 season and played just nine games in the 2009-2010 season due to head and neck injuries. He was finally healthy this year and had himself a nice season.

He's a prototypical power forward with his size and skill-set. He's a rough physical player that's going to bull his way through the opposition. He's a pretty good skater but it's just an extra dimension to his physical play. He's going to ram through defenders in his pursuit of the puck and destroy guys along the boards. He's a very raw prospect as he's not had a lot of playing time in the last couple of years and hasn't really progressed his game.

He's going to need a good amount of time before the Stars are able to see if he can contribute to the team, but the skills as a power forward are there and the Stars always need one of those. He could be a valuable late line guy. Dallas has had good success finding gems in the fifth round though, so this could be another one.

Round 5 - Pick 23 (144 overall):

Henri Kiviaho - G, KalPa (Finland)
6'3"/~190 lbs

There are a lot of goalies coming through the Stars system and entering the AHL, so this was a pick to help bolster the lower levels. Dallas scouts a lot around Sweden and Finland and Kiviaho must have been one of those guys that they really liked. Who knows if we ever see him come to the States as he's going to need a good amount of time in Finland continuing to improve. He and Kari Lehtonen are countrymen though, so maybe Kari can help him out during the off-season when he returns home. He should start for his youth team for the foreseeable future.

Round 7 - Pick 2 (183 overall):

Dmitry Sinitsyn - D, UMass-Lowell (NCAA)
6'2"/~190 lbs

Dallas moved up in the seventh round to take this youngster and must have had their eye on taking him before the draft began. He's spent two of the last three years playing for the Dallas Stars U-16 team, so there's probably a good level of familiarity on him with the team.

NHL Trade Rumors: Dallas Stars Still Have Steve Ott Available

While NHL's free agency period doesn't begin until July 1, plenty of teams are wheeling and dealing, looking to trade for players and sign them to extensions prior to the free agency period.

Many teams might be calling up Joe Nieuwendyk this week, as it appears that Steve Ott is still available, at least according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.

Steve Ott remains in play ... My own personal belief is that he'd be a great fit in Montreal. He's got size and skill, defend some teammates

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) June 25, 2012

Ott was drafted by the Stars in the first round of the 2000 NHL Draft, and has spent his entire career in Dallas. The 6'0" center appeared in 74 games for the Stars during the 2011-12 season, scoring 11 goals while assisting on 28 others.

LeBrun says in his next tweet that, if the Stars don't get the package they're looking for, they'll hang onto Ott... which seems rather obvious.

For more on the Dallas Stars, be sure to head over to Defending Big D and join the discussion.

2012 NHL Draft Review: The Dallas Stars Second Round Picks

The first in a series of scouting reports on the other eight players Dallas drafted this weekend.

Round 2 - Pick 13 (43 overall):

Ludwig Bystrom - D, Modo Hockey (Sweden) (@Luddebystrom)
6'0"/~210 lbs

This was a steal for the Stars. Bystrom had a first round grade and could've easily gone in the top-20 of the draft. A run on offense near the end of the first round and some pretty big reaches contributed to his drop and again, the Stars had a solid player fall into their laps.

Bystrom is a solid puck moving defenseman with some pretty good offensive potential. He's probably not as physical as one would hope, but Dallas has plenty of those guys already in the prospect pool. Bystrom looks like he'll fill out as a very solid third pair defenseman that could be top-four if needed, which is great for the organization. He is a left-handed shot though, which is a bit superfluous on the blue line for this team.

Most of the top defensive prospects on the team are just about ready to enter the NHL so this provides depth in the minors and another guy down the line. Look for him to stay in Sweden for another year or two before heading to the AHL.

Round 2 - Pick 24 (54 overall):

Mike Winther - C, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) (@winzer15)
5'11"/~180 lbs

Winther was the second of the Stars run on centers. After taking a big boy in Faksa, they took a smaller, quicker player in Winther. However, like Faksa, he plays an all-around game and could be used all over the ice and on either of the special teams. He's a tenacious player and smart on the ice. He'll have a lot of room to grow and has a future on the team as a third/fourth line center, but that's 3~5 years down the road. He'll need a few more years at the WHL and AHL levels to improve his game and to get a little bigger.

He also spent a lot of time at wing so he could move there if needed. The best thing about Winther? He's a big fan of Mike Modano and tries to emulate his game.

Round 2 - Pick 31 (61 overall)

Devin Shore - C, University of Maine (NCAA) (@devinshore)
6'0"/~185 lbs

Center number three in the draft was Devin Shore, the top rookie in the OJHL with the Whitby Fury last season (He'll be going to U of Maine next year). Shore is a playmaker and did well with 58 points in 41 games. While the Stars first two center picks were focused on two-way players, Shore is about the offense and has an offensive upside that the Stars don't have too much of in their prospect pool.

He's got great vision and hands and has more than enough time to keep improving in college. He's going to a solid system in Maine and should progress well while playing in a power conference in the NCAA against top competition. He's got upside as a third liner, though that won't be until he finishes college so that's well down the line.

Dallas Stars Offseason: Olli Jokinen, Matt Carle Could Be Free Agent Targets After Zach Parise

With the 2012 draft in the rearview, the focus turns to free agency, which begins on July 1.

The top man on the market is New Jersey Devils winger Zach Parise, and he'll be courted by many top teams. Could he end up in Dallas?

Dallas Morning News writer Mike Heika gave his free agency thoughts in a live chat on Tuesday. Heika thinks the Stars wouldn't be out of line offering a huge contract to Parise. He cited that no one on the Stars is making huge money, and there still would be room for more pieces. But it's going to be hard.

As for some other names?

After (Parise), I think they seriously consider players like Olli Jokinen, Matt Carle, Dennis Wideman and maybe (Jason) Garrison. I just don't see (Alexander) Semin as a fit.

I think they are looking for shorter-term deals that allow a bigger purchase when the kids are more mature (sort of like the NY Rangers have done).

If Shane Doan doesn't sign in Phoenix, I think he could definitely be someone they talk to. He's old, but I think they would definitely consider him.

Read more on the Dallas Stars and the NHL Draft at SB Nation Dallas and Defending Big D.

2012 NHL Draft Grades: SB Nation Gives B+ To Dallas Stars

The SB Nation team of NHL writers has provided outstanding draft coverage over the past week. You can read their draft grades for the Western Conference here and the Eastern Conference grades here.

We'll obviously focus on the Stars and what they did over the weekend. As a refresher, this is a look Dallas' selections:

Round 1, pick 13: Radek Faksa, C, Czech Republic
Round 2, pick 13 (No. 43 overall): Ludwig Bystrom, D, Sweden
Round 2, pick 24 (No. 54 overall): Mike Winther, C, Canada
Round 2, pick 31 (No. 61 overall): Devin Shore, C, Canada
Round 3, pick 13 (No. 74 overall): Esa Lindell, D, Finland
Round 4, pick 13 (No. 104 overall): Gemel Smith, C, Canada
Round 5, pick 13 (No. 134 overall): Brendan Trook, RW, Canada
Round 5, pick 23 (No. 144 overall): Henri Kiviaho, D, Finland
Round 7, pick 2 (No. 183 overall): Dmitry Sinitsyn, D, Russia

SB Nation's analysis and grade on that:

Radek Faksa is an interesting offensive prospect, but the most dramatic move from Dallas may have been trading Mike Ribero to the Washington Capitals for a promising defensive forward in Cody Eakin. B+

Read more about the Stars at Defending Big D and SB Nation Dallas.

2012 NHL Draft Recap: Dallas Stars Clean Up

Dealing Mike Ribeiro may have been controversial but it was the right move for a team building for the future. Meanwhile, a run on defensemen in the top 10 let a top center fall to Dallas.

2012 NHL Draft Results: Stars Given An 'A' Grade By ESPN

The Dallas Stars received one of only five ‘A' grades handed out by ESPN's Craig Custance after the NHL Draft. Custance praised the Stars for positioning themselves to make future moves as they continue to reshape their roster.

Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyuk sent Mike Ribeiro to the Capitals for a second-round pick and prospect Cody Eakin. The move gave the Stars more cap space as they look to sign franchise forward Jamie Benn to an extension.

Here's what ESPN Insider scout Grant Sonier had to say about some of the Stars' selections:

Czech-born forward Radek Faksa has a chance to play in the NHL next season. One of the smartest players in the draft, he can play both ends of the ice. Swedish defenseman Ludwig Bystrom and Canadian forward Mike Winther are solid prospects, as the Stars added nine players into their system.

To discuss the 2012 Dallas Stars draft class, head over to Defending Big D and join the discussion.

The Radek Faksa Story

2012 NHL Draft Results: Dallas Stars Select Four Centers, Four Defensemen

Unlike Major League Baseball and the National Football League, the NHL doesn't prolong its draft. The 2012 NHL Draft is already in the books, and the Dallas Stars made their nine selections in the draft, injecting some talented youth into the organization.

Here's the draft results for the Dallas Stars in the 2012 NHL Draft:

Round 1, pick 13: Radek Faksa, C, Czech Republic
Round 2, pick 13 (No. 43 overall): Ludwig Bystrom, D, Sweden
Round 2, pick 24 (No. 54 overall): Mike Winther, C, Canada
Round 2, pick 31 (No. 61 overall): Devin Shore, C, Canada
Round 3, pick 13 (No. 74 overall): Esa Lindell, D, Finland
Round 4, pick 13 (No. 104 overall): Gemel Smith, C, Canada
Round 5, pick 13 (No. 134 overall): Brendan Trook, RW, Canada
Round 5, pick 23 (No. 144 overall): Henri Kiviaho, D, Finland
Round 7, pick 2 (No. 183 overall): Dmitry Sinitsyn, D, Russia

For those scoring at home, that's four centers, four defensemen and a right wing drafted by the Stars.

To discuss the 2012 Dallas Stars draft class, head over to Defending Big D and join the discussion.

2012 NHL Draft: Dallas Stars Second Round Results

If you blinked, you might have missed it. The second round of the 2012 NHL Draft is already in the books, as the NHL doesn't mess around when it comes to drafting.

As we mentioned here earlier on SB Nation Dallas, the Dallas Stars had three picks in the third round, thanks to a trade with the Washington Capitals. Here's who the Stars took with those three picks:

Round 2, pick 13 (43 overall): Ludwig Bystrom, D, Sweden.

Bystrom is an 17 year old, turning 18 in July, defenseman from Sweden, who most recently played for MODO, in the Swedish league, the Elitserien. Bystrom also played in the junior version of the league in 2011-12 as well.

Round 2, pick 24 (54 overall): Mike Winther, C, Canada.

Continuing a theme from the first round, the Stars took a center, who spent the year playing in Canada. This time, they selected a Canadian native in Winther, though. Winther played for Prince Albert in the Western Hockey League this past year, scoring 32 goals and assisting on 24 in 71 games.

Round 2, pick 31 (61 overall): Devin Shore, C, Canada.

Another second round pick, another Canadian center. Shore participated in the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2011-12, playing for Whitby. In 41 games, Shore racked up 58 points, on an even 29 goals and 29 assists.

For the latest on the Dallas Stars, be sure to check out Defending Big D.

2012 NHL Draft: Day 2 Start Time, TV Schedule And More

The 2012 NHL Draft continues on Saturday, with rounds two through seven set to take place. Friday's first round brought surprise picks and a bevy of trades. Thanks to a trade with the Washington Capitals, the Dallas Stars now have three second-round selections, and certainly have the opportunity to inject good, young talent into the organization.

Day two of the NHL Draft is slated to begin at 9:00 a.m. CT. Televised coverage of the event can be found on the NHL Network, unlike Friday night, when round one was broadcast on NBC Sports Network.

Here's a look at Dallas' remaining picks in the 2012 NHL Draft, courtesy of NHL.com.

Round 2, Pick 13 (43 overall)
Round 2, Pick 24 (54 overall)
Round 2, Pick 31 (61 overall)
Round 3, Pick 13 (74 overall)
Round 4, Pick 13 (104 overall)
Round 5, Pick 13 (134 overall)
Round 5, Pick 23 (144 overall)
Round 7, Pick 13, (194 overall)

For more on the Dallas Stars, be sure to check out Defending Big D and join the discussion.

NHL Draft Results: Dallas Stars Select Radek Faksa, Have Three Second Round Picks

With the No. 13 overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, the Dallas Stars threw drafniks a curveball. Instead of selecting a defenseman like many believed the Stars would, Dallas selected Radek Faksa, an 18 year old, 6'3", 202 lb center from the Czech Republic.

Faksa spent this past year playing in the Ontario Hockey League, where he led all rookies in goals, assists, points and plus-minus. Needless to say, that's quite the impressive resume Faksa made for himself during his lone season in the OHL.

Expect the Stars to be very busy on the second day of the NHL Draft as well. Dallas will make three draft picks in the second round, with the No. 13, 24 and 31 picks in the round. The Stars also have two picks in the fifth round, in addition to one pick in the third, fourth and seventh round. Dallas does not have a sixth round selection.

For more on the Dallas Stars, be sure to check out Defending Big D and join the discussion.

NHL Draft 2012: Dallas Stars Select Center Radek Faksa At No. 13

The Dallas Stars have made their pick in the 2012 NHL Draft and they went with center Radek Faksas out of the Ontario Hockey League with their No. 13 pick. Faksas is from the Czech Republic and played his junior hockey ithere with Trinec on both their junior and under-18 teams from 2007 through 2011, before traveling to play for Kitchener in the OHL.

Here is a scouting report on Faksas:

Faksa is a do-it-all center/power forward and one of the best two-way prospects in the draft this year. The 18-year-old has continuously risen up the draft boards throughout the year and is now ranked as the seventh best North American skater by Central Scouting and third best center. [...]

The one thing about his game that does stand out is how physical he plays (maybe too physical at times as he gets in penalty trouble). He'll win a majority of his puck battles along the boards, forechecks like a bull and uses his size exceptionally well to get position in front of the net. He'll need to bulk up and get even tougher if he hopes to do that at the NHL level, but it's great that he has a mentality for that type of game at such a young age. It bodes well for him and his future if he keeps playing that type of game.

He plays on both the power play and penalty kill so he's a versatile player. He's especially valuable as a defensive forward as he plays hard on the backcheck to help out his defensemen. He won't be the type to lollygag back and will go all out on every shift.

Faksa has very few clear weaknesses in his game. He won't be one of those guys to skate circles around other players and won't be outracing guys down the ice. He also might have hit a limited offensive ceiling on his game. There's really not too much more for him to learn. He doesn't have the greatest vision and it'll be a rare day when he does something that makes you jump out of your seat and yell in excitement.

In his only season playing in the OHL he led all rookies in goals with 29, assists with 37 and points with (66 during the 2011-12 season. He also led the league's first-year players in game-winning goals with six, and was selected to play for the Czech Republic's 2012 World Junior Championship team.

NHL Draft 2012: Stars Trade Mike Ribeiro For Cody Eakin, 2nd-Round Pick

While the NHL Draft is all about youth, the Stars were able to get younger before making a pick.

With the draft underway, Dallas traded 32-year-old center Mike Ribeiro to the Washington Capitals for 21-year-old center Cody Eakin and a second-round pick (54th overall).

Ribeiro tallied 18 goals and 45 assists in 74 games with the Stars last season, good for second on the team with 63 points. In his rookie campaign, Eakin played in 30 games for the Capitals, recording four goals and four assists. He joined Dallas in 2006 and spend six seasons with the Stars.

Ribeiro was an All-Star in 2007-08, and he finished with a career-high 83 points with 27 goals and 56 assists.

Dallas' first pick comes at No. 13 overall. The Draft is being broadcast on NBC Sports Network.

NHL Draft 2012: Dallas Stars On The Clock

This is one of the most important moments of the offseason for NHL teams, as the draft is upon us and the Dallas Stars look to add pieces to their franchise that enhance their development.

There's a mock draft at Defending Big D from a couple of days ago that give you draft projections. SB Nation Dallas has already taken the time out to give you perspective on what the Stars should do with their selections.

Dallas feels they can find quantity and quality if they hold on to all eight of their selections, since they pick five times in the top 100 in what is considered by most to be a draft with a lot of depth to it.

Stars 2012 Entry Draft Picks: (1)13, (2)43, (2)61, (3)74, (4)104, (5)134, (5)144, (7)194

Read more on the Dallas Stars and the NHL Draft at SB Nation Dallas and Defending Big D.

2012 NHL Draft: Start Time, TV Schedule And More

Though the Stanley Cup seemingly just ended, the NHL offseason kicks off in earnest on Friday night. The 2012 NHL Draft will be held, and the future of the league will be shaped will the decisions made by each organization.

Hockey fans will be able to watch the first round of the 2012 NHL Draft on NBC Sports Network, with coverage beginning at 6:00 p.m. CT. As we posted yesterday here at SB Nation Dallas, the Edmonton Oilers will be selecting first overall, and will be on the clock as soon as the draft gets underway.

The Dallas Stars, meanwhile, will have to wait a little bit before they make their first selection of the night. The Stars pick No. 13 overall this year, and have been linked to a slew of players, including Morgan Rielly, Olli Maatta, Zemgus Girgensons and Brendan Gauce.

Rounds two through seven of the NHL Draft will be held on Saturday, beginning at 9:00 a.m. CT on the NHL Network.

For more on the Dallas Stars, head over to Defending Big D and join the discussion.

2012 NHL Draft: Who Should The Dallas Stars Pick?

Over the last month, I've broken down the games of the prospects the Dallas Stars will likely be choosing from in Friday's NHL Draft. Here's a refresher on six players who could be wearing a Dallas uniform by Saturday.

2012 NHL Draft Order

The 2012 NHL Draft is set to get underway on Friday, June 22. As advertised, the Dallas Stars have the No. 13 overall pick, and have been linked to a number of different players in mock drafts recently, including Morgan Rielly, Olli Maatta, Zemgus Girgensons and Brendan Gauce.

Nobody knows who the Stars will take yet, and virtually everything depends on the first 12 picks ahead of the Stars.

Here's what the draft order for the first round of the 2012 NHL Draft looks like, courtesy of NHL.com.

1. Edmonton
2. Columbus
3. Montreal
4. N.Y. Islanders
5. Toronto
6. Anaheim
7. Minnesota
8. Carolina
9. Winnipeg
10. Tampa Bay
11. Washington (from Colorado)
12. Buffalo
13. Dallas
14. Calgary
15. Ottawa
16. Washington
17. San Jose
18. Chicago
19. Tampa Bay (from Detroit)
20. Philadelphia
21. Buffalo (from Nashville)
22. Pittsburgh
23. Florida
24. Boston
25. St. Louis
26. Vancouver
27. Phoenix
28. N.Y. Rangers
29. New Jersey
30. Los Angeles (optional to Columbus)

The Devils have opted to keep this year's first round draft pick. New Jersey has to forfeit a first round pick between now and 2014 as a penalty for attempting to circumvent salary cap rules.

For more on the Dallas Stars, be sure to check out Defending Big D.

Dallas Stars Schedule 2012-2013 Released, Home Game Start Times Move Up

The Dallas Stars finished just a few points out of the NHL Playoffs in what became a brutal Pacific Division. They'll look to break a four-year streak this fall.

2012 NHL Mock Draft: Dallas Stars Select Zemgus Girgensons

The good folks over at Defending Big D, SB Nation's Dallas Stars blog, posted their third mock draft on Wednesday afternoon. In the latest and greatest version, the Stars are pegged to take Latvian forward Zemgus Girgensons.

The Stars decide to pick up centre Zemgus Girgensons a big Latvian forward that has divided scouts. Some think he could be a top line centre, others say he will be a third line centre. The Stars decide to take that risk to help build up their weakness up the middle.

Recent mock drafts have had the Stars selecting Morgan Rielly, Olli Maatta and Brendan Gaunce. In the latest mock at Defending Big D, Rielly goes No. 4 overall to the New York Islanders, while Maatta slides to the Chicago Blackhawks at No. 18 overall. Gaunce goes one pick before Maatta, at No. 17 overall, to the San Jose Sharks.

We'll see who the Stars take with the No. 13 pick on Friday, June 22 when the NHL Entry Draft gets underway.

For more Dallas Stars news, coverage and discussion, head over to Defending Big D.

NHL Mock Draft: Brendan Gaunce To The Dallas Stars

Another day, another NHL mock draft. On Monday, we posted a mock draft here at SB Nation Dallas that had the Dallas Stars selecting defenseman Morgan Rielly. On Tuesday, we posted a mock that had the Stars taking defenseman Olli Maatta.

Well, we've got another mock draft for you -- and this time, it's from The Sports Network. It's also a bit of a curveball for Stars fans expecting the team to take a defenseman, as the The Sports Network has the Stars selecting center Brendan Gaunce with the No. 13 overall pick in the draft.

The Stars have a big whole in the middle left by the departure of Brad Richards and Gaunce has the size to fill it. Considered by many to be the best power forward available at this year's draft, Gaunce is a gritty and talented prospect.

For what it's worth, both Rielly and Maatta in this particular mock draft are off the board by the time the Stars even select, with Rielly going to the Wild at No. 7, and Maatta to the Lightning at No. 10.

2012 NHL Mock Draft: Dallas Stars Select Olli Maatta

Another 2012 NHL mock draft, and another defenseman is going to the Dallas Stars with the No. 13 overall pick. SB Nation's mock draft has the Stars selecting Morgan Rielly with the pick, but the folks over at My NHL Draft have the Stars selecting defenseman Olli Maatta.

For what it's worth, in My NHL Draft's mock, Rielly goes No. 9 overall to the Winnipeg Jets.

Maatta is an 18 year old from Finland who stands at 6'1", 183. This past year, he played in the OHL, playing for the London Knights.

Here's what the folks over at My NHL Draft had to say about Maatta's career projection:

First pairing (#2) defenseman - Given his size, talent and smarts Maatta projects to be a solid two-way first pairing defenseman. While I don't think he will be good enough to anchor a defense core, I think he would be a great number two guy. Think Mike Richards, but from a defense point of view.

We'll see on Friday night if the Stars do indeed focus on defensemen when they're on the clock with the No. 13 overall pick in the draft.

Dallas Stars Offseason 2012: Jamie Benn, Philip Larsen Extended Qualifying Offers

The Dallas Stars added two players to their list of qualifying offers, Jamie Benn and Philip Larsen. They join Richard Bachman, Mark Fistric and Ryan Garbutt as NHL roster players who have received qualifying offers from the team. Dallas also has a group of restricted free agents in the AHL system, putting the Stars' total list of players qualifying offers at eight.

Benn's younger brother Jordie Benn is included in that group of AHL players.

The older Benn was the team's joint second leading scorer last season with 63 points, and his 26 goals were also tied for second best on the team. At just 22 years old, he's expected to improve steadily, even to the point he might tempt another team into looking his way. Larsen, a defenseman, is also 22-years-old and played 55 games for the Stars this season, splitting time between the NHL and AHL teams over the last two seasons.

For more on the Stars, head over to Defending Big D and SB Nation Dallas.

NHL Mock Draft 2012: Dallas Stars Select Morgan Rielly

Hopefully, if you're a Dallas Stars fan, you've been following us here at SB Nation Dallas all summer long for the latest rumors and scouting reports of potential draft picks for the Stars. If you haven't been, now is as good as any time to start with the 2012 NHL Draft looming right around the corner.

The folks over at SB Nation have been conducting a mock draft over the past week, asking each team's blogger to make a selection based upon who's available. The folks over at Defending Big D selected Morgan Rielly with the No. 13 pick in the draft, and said this about the pick:

As I wrote in our draft profile of Rielly, and as many of you said in our poll thread related to this very situation, you don't always have the chance to draft a player like Rielly in the middle of the first round. While there are some questions regarding the health of his knee after tearing his ACL last season, Rielly is perhaps the most offensively gifted defenseman in the draft and is certainly the type of player on the blue line the Stars have desperately been searching for ever since Sergei Zubov's career in Dallas started to end.

If you're unfamiliar with Rielly, he's an 18 year old, 6', 170 lb defenseman from West Vancouver, Canada. He's spent the past two years playing in the Western Hockey League for the Moose Jaw Warriors.

We'll see who the Stars end up taking with the No. 13 overall selection in the draft on Friday, June 22.

NHL Mock Draft 2012: Who Will Be There For Dallas At 13?

A breakdown of how the first 12 picks in the NHL Draft could go and who could be available for the Stars at No. 13.

Zemgus Girgensons Scouting Report

The 18-year old Latvian with a great name doesn't have the upside of some of the other center prospects in the draft, but he'd be a fine fall-back option for the Stars at No. 13.

NHL Draft 2012: Cody Ceci Scouting Report

Our latest profile on an NHL draft prospect looks at Cody Ceci, an American defenseman with an advanced offensive game who would give the Stars front office an interesting decision if he fell to No. 13.

Stars Draft Targets: Radek Faksa Scouting Report

The latest in a series profiling the various prospects the Stars could be choosing from in the NHL Draft.

NHL Draft 2012 Prospects: Mikhail Grigorenko Scouting Report

The third in SB Nation Dallas' series of evaluating prospects in the NHL Draft, Luther Xue takes a look at Mikhail Grigorenko, as his draft stock is falling.

NHL Draft 2012 Prospects: Colton Sissons Scouting Report

The second in a series breaking down the prospects the Dallas Stars will be choosing from with the No. 13 pick in the NHL Draft.

NHL Draft 2012: Brendan Gaunce Scouting Report

This is one of the deepest drafts in recent memory, especially at areas (defense and center) where the Stars organization needs help. Dallas, with the No. 13 pick, could have a number of excellent prospects to choose from.

NHL Playoffs 2012: How Do The Stars Compare?

With the increasing amount of parity in the NHL, Dallas really isn't that far from having a playoff-caliber roster, especially since they have the most important piece in G Kari Lehtonen.

Dallas Stars Prospects Rankings: Breaking Down The Forwards

While there isn't much depth at the center position, the Stars minor league system could graduate two wingers into the NHL next season, with several more intriguing prospects behind them.

Dallas Stars Prospects: A Look At The Goalies And Defensemen

Under Joe Nieuwendyk, the Stars have begun to rebuild their minor-league system. Several intriguing players, including G Jack Campbell and D Brenden Dillon, could be in Dallas next season.

Dallas Stars Roundtable: Breaking Down The 2011-2012 Season

An extensive conversation about how to improve the power play, the future of Brenden Morrow in Dallas and what the Stars should do in the off-season to get themselves back in the playoffs.