Corey Pronman details what to expect from the Dallas Stars’ new prospects and how they fit into the farm system.
2024 Draft Grade: C-
Dallas didn’t have many draft picks in this class, and their first-round pick, Emil Hemming, is a player who I could never come around on all season to go that high in the draft. He’s clearly a talented goal-scorer, but I think he has to work on a lot of aspects of his game to become a full-time NHL player.
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Draft Class
29. Emil Hemming, RW, TPS (Liiga)
June 27, 2006 | 6′ 1″ | 205 pounds
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Below NHL average
Shot: High-end
Analysis: Hemming was a very good player at the Finnish junior level and for Finland’s U18 team. He got time in Liiga and with the world junior team, although both were in limited-minutes roles. Hemming has a lot of offensive talent. He’s a highly skilled winger who can skate well. He is dangerous in transition, creates a lot of controlled entries and can break open shifts with his skill. Hemming can make plays and see openings develop, but his shot is his best weapon. He can rip pucks from range and will be a legit goal-scoring threat versus top goalies. Like a lot of goal scorers, Hemming can lean on his shot too much and stays on the outside. The lack of interior offense and inconsistent effort are the only things keeping me from tabbing him as a potential middle-six forward.
Thoughts on the pick: Hemming is one of the better natural goal-scorers in the draft with a solid overall talent level. He frustrated scouts at times with his consistency and lack of playmaking, but there’s no doubting he can be an NHL scorer if he hits. He has a little more size than some of Dallas’ other top forward prospects, which helps. His game rubbed me the wrong way, but I see the path to him being a middle-six forward.
158. Niilopekka Muhonen, LHD, KalPa U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
February 28, 2006 | 6′ 4″ | 185 pounds
Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Analysis: Muhonen’s season didn’t go as hoped after he looked like a promising underage prospect. He’s still a big, physical defenseman who skates well for a guy his size. His puck game is a major work in progress, though, when projecting him to the next level, and he will need to show he can make a reliable first pass versus pros.
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222. William Samuelsson, C, Södertälje SK J20 (J20 Nationell)
September 27, 2005 | 6′ 0″ | 176 pounds
Analysis: Samuelsson had a strong junior season in Sweden. He’s a center with good speed who plays both ways well. He gets to the net to create chances and kills penalties. His skill is decent, but he’s not an overly creative player and doesn’t make a ton of difficult plays with the puck.
(Photo of Emil Hemming: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
