Dallas Stars slammed in NHL pipeline rankings, and this feels like pure disrespect

When Corey Pronman's latest NHL prospect pipeline rankings dropped, Dallas Stars fans were quick to scroll through and find their team. What they found was surprising, and not in a good way.

The Stars landed at No. 23 overall, a spot that suggests the future isn't very bright in Big D. According to the ranking, Dallas has one of the «lighter» prospect pools in the league, a result of having fewer draft picks in recent years.

But let's be honest: this is more disrespect than reality.

Dallas has proven time and again that it doesn't need to stockpile picks to develop impact players. Logan Stankoven, Wyatt Johnston, and Mavrik Bourque are all examples of young Stars who were doubted outside the organization, and all have already proven themselves at the NHL level.

Look closer, and you'll see several rookies and prospects who could play big roles soon.

Mavrik Bourque: Already cracking the NHL lineup and showing he belongs.

Lian Bichsel: At 6'7», the young defenseman is on the verge of becoming a full-time NHLer.

Cameron Schmidt: Drafted in the third round this summer, many scouts had him pegged as a first-round talent.

That doesn't sound like a «weak» pipeline. That sounds like a franchise that knows how to draft and develop the right pieces.

Dallas has also made a habit of finding late-bloomers and overlooked talent. Thomas Harley's emergence into a top-four defenseman is the latest reminder that the Stars often turn «good» prospects into great NHL players.

Personally, I don't buy into this ranking at all. The Stars have rookies already making an impact, prospects still simmering in junior and the AHL, and a track record that speaks for itself.