Dallas Stars’ Logan Stankoven Has Unlimited Potential

Logan Stankoven has emerged as one of the NHL’s premier young stars amid his recent success. Heading into the season, he was a highly touted prospect who was expected to make an immediate impact on the Dallas Stars roster. However, he failed to make the NHL roster out of the preseason and was buried in the American Hockey League (AHL) for most of the season due to Dallas’ immense forward depth. Since his NHL debut on Feb. 24, he has dominated, showcasing his potential for becoming a superstar.

How Did Stankoven Get Here?

Heading into the 2021 NHL Draft, Stankoven was regarded as one of the most skilled draft prospects. He is an elite skater who is unafraid to drive towards the net. His hands are amongst the best in hockey and he uses them to make ridiculous passes and score from impossible angles. As a draft-eligible prospect, there was one characteristic that held him back; his size.

Stankoven is just 5-foot-8, a cause for concern for many teams. This is a mistake that teams have continuously made in recent seasons with prospects such as Cole Caufield, Alex DeBrincat, and Johnny Gaudreau. While Stankoven’s size is noticeable, it does not hinder his play. He is strong with the puck and plays a physical game, looking stronger than the majority of NHL players. He is a player who improves each game and plays each shift as if it is his last.

In a Perfect Situation

After spending his first two seasons in the Stars organization as captain of the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL), Stankoven joined Dallas’ AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars. This was attributed to prioritizing development at the professional level and a lack of space for him in the NHL. Dallas’ management wanted him to get acclimated to the more physically demanding style of hockey in the NHL while also making sure he would get plenty of ice time to learn and develop. Early on in his AHL stint, it became clear that he was ready for the NHL.