13th Overall – Dallas Stars: Joseph Veleno (C, Saint-John Sea Dogs, QMJHL)
The Stars were kind of unlucky to miss the playoffs and to be drafting so high, and they have a good roster they may wish to add to. That makes the Stars a good candidate to trade their pick. If they do keep it, I think they’ll select Joseph Veleno out of Saint John.
Veleno came into the QMJHL with all the pressure in the world on his shoulders.
He was the latest player to be granted exceptional player status. An early grant to junior hockey, most notably by players such as John Tavares and Connor McDavid.
Realistically, Veleno really shouldn’t have been granted this. He’s a very, very good prospect and will be a top six forward at the NHL level, and he faces less pressure as he moves up the rankings in the hockey world. He put up a combined total of 79 points in 64 games this year and could be a future top six centre for Dallas should they take him.