Jason Dickinson

The Stars' expansion draft protection plans didn't include Dickinson, so he was shipped to the Canucks in July. The 26-year-old has shown defensive reliability while chipping in point totals of 22, 21 and 15 over the last three seasons, although he's yet to play more than 67 contests in a campaign. A first-round pick from 2013, Dickinson likely isn't going to enjoy a scoring explosion in Vancouver, as he's unlikely to see more than third-line minutes behind Elias Pettersson and Bo Horvat. Dickinson could still challenge for a career-high point total if he stays healthy, and he should add 100-plus hits, but a lack of power-play time likely caps his scoring potential at 30 points.

Dickinson managed nine goals and 21 points in 65 appearances in 2019-20, a near duplication of his previous campaign. The 25-year-old forward found a consistent role in the lineup, typically as a middle-six player with penalty-killing duties. Dickinson is a natural center, which may be helpful to the Stars as they try to navigate missing Tyler Seguin for three-plus months to start the season. For 2020-21, Dickinson will likely play at around a 25-point pace while adding more than a hit per game. He'll also continue to see shorthanded minutes as a positive defensive player (plus-16 over his last 132 games).

Dickinson earned a regular shift in the NHL for the first time last year, scoring six goals and 22 points in 67 games, all career highs. A late first-round pick in 2013, the 24-year-old has never developed into a consistent offensive threat in the pros, but he uses his size effectively (106 hits last year) and has proven his worth as a bottom-six grinder. A lot would have to go wrong for the Stars this year for Dickinson to find himself in a key role, but after signing a two-year, $3 million deal to stay in Dallas, his roster spot at least appears secure.

Dickinson continued to fill a depth role up front for the Stars last year, splitting his time between AHL Texas and the NHL roster. He's got good size at 6-foot-2 and can bang in the corners, making him useful on a checking line, but while he did score 18 goals in 42 AHL games last season, as yet there hasn't been much sign that he could develop into a top-six power forward for Dallas. Signed to a one-year, one-way contract in the offseason, the 23-year-old should at least take a regular shift for the first time, giving him a better opportunity to demonstrate what kind of upside he really has.

The 22-year-old may have a tough time carving out a consistent role with the Stars this season. After scoring just nine goals and 30 points in 58 AHL games last year, he'd need to take a significant step forward to make an impact at the NHL level.

The 2013 first-round pick played his first full season of pro hockey last year and impressed. He showed off his significant offensive talent by scoring 22 goals and 53 points for AHL Texas. He won't blow the doors off the NHL, but he could develop into a solid middle-six forward capable of being a depth contributor on fantasy teams. He made his NHL debut last season, scoring a single goal in his one appearance. He has potential, but will have to battle for a roster spot in the Stars' stacked forward group.

At just 19 years of age, Dickinson is one of Dallas' most exciting prospects. He'll make the jump to the AHL this season after signing a three-year entry-level deal with the team. He spent last season in the OHL with a very good Guelph Storm team where he scored 26 goals and 78 points in 68 games. He's developing quickly and the team wants to help him. That means a full season -- and maybe two or three -- in the AHL. The big club is deep, so he'll only make an occasional appearance in Dallas as an injury fill-in. He's best served by getting a chance to dominate the A. Watch his development -- he could be fantasy worthy some day.