The Dallas Stars will enter the 2026 NHL Draft without a first-round pick after trading away their selection in the Mikko Rantanen deal.
What happened?
The Stars traded their 2026 first-round pick, 2026 third-round pick, 2027 third-round pick, and a conditional 2028 first-round pick to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Mikko Rantanen. This move has significant implications for the team's draft strategy and future prospects.
Why it matters for Mikko Rantanen
Mikko Rantanen, the Finnish NHL athlete, was a key player in the trade. His addition to the Stars' roster has been a major factor in their recent success, including making the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the 2025-26 season.
What comes next?
The Stars currently hold five selections in the 2026 NHL Draft, starting with their second-round pick. They will need to rely on their scouting department to find value in the later rounds, as they did in the 2025 draft, where they selected Cameron Schmidt in the third round.
The 2026 NHL Draft will be held on June 26-27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The Stars' recent draft history has shown that they can find gems outside of the early rounds, and they will need to do so again this year.
The Stars' minor league affiliates, the Texas Stars in the American Hockey League and the Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL, will continue to provide a developmental pathway for young players. However, the loss of a first-round pick will make it more challenging for the team to find top talent.
The Dallas Stars' 2025 draft class featured six selections, including Cameron Schmidt, Brandon Gorzynski, Atte Joki, Måns Goos, Dawson Sharkey, and Charlie Paquette. The team will need to build on this foundation and find ways to improve their roster through the draft.
The Stars' recent success has been built on the back of players like Jason Robertson, who won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2021. However, the loss of a first-round pick will make it more difficult for the team to find players of Robertson's caliber.
The 2026 NHL Draft will be a crucial moment for the Dallas Stars, as they look to rebuild their roster and find ways to compete with the top teams in the Western Conference.