In addition to the third-overall pick, the Dallas Stars will also have pick No. 28 or No. 29 in the first round after the Anaheim Ducks reached the Western Conference Finals and fell to the Nashville Predators.
Dallas will know whether it’s No. 28 or No. 29 after the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators play Game 7 on Thursday night — if the Senators win Dallas will pick at 28, if the Penguins win it’ll be pick No. 29.
And if the options were wide open at No. 3 (you can follow the NHL Draft tab above for prior scouting reports) the options in the late 20s are endless and Dallas could potentially take the first goalie in the draft.
That’s where Boston University’s Jake Oettinger could come into play.
Oettinger already fits the mold of an NHL goalie. He has good size at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds and he uses that to his advantage. He’s positionally sound and has impeccable rebound control. This limits the number of difficult saves Oettinger was forced to make at Boston University, but he did show off flashes of athleticism when he needed an extra effort on a save.
Because of his positioning, Oettinger’s athleticism often shows up when he’s handling the puck. He has quick feet and can quickly control the puck behind the net. He’s a skilled puckhandler and often makes the right decision with the puck — which can be one of the more difficult things for a young goalie to master.
Overall Oettinger looks smooth in the net. His motions are fluid and there isn’t any wasted energy, particularly as he moves from post-to-post or controlling his gap against a breakaway.
Like many larger butterfly goalies, Oettinger is difficult to beat on the ice. There are times holes seemingly develop up high, but he has quick hands and does good job of controlling the play with his catching glove.
Goaltending is largely a mental position and Oettinger’s demeanor may be his best quality.
He came into Terrier’s training camp as one of the youngest goalies in college hockey and won the starting job in a battle against a pair of older goalies. Throughout the season Oettinger always responded well to a goal against and didn’t get rattled in big moments, including a double-overtime victory that helped Boston University reach the NCAA Regional Final in Fargo.
He was part of the American team that won gold at the World Junior Championships, but didn’t appear in any games as the third-string goalie. He’ll have to win the job, but it seems likely that Oettinger will be a favorite to start for the Americans at the 2018 World Junior Championships in Buffalo.
Oettinger coming from the NCAA ranks would allow the Stars to be flexible with his development. He’ll still have three years of eligibility at Boston University, but could leave after his junior or sophomore season and theoretically be an AHL starting option in two seasons.
DrewL says
I really like Oettinger. Think he would be a great selection for the Stars at either 28/29 or 39, although he may be gone by 39. (Note: BU didn’t reach the Frozen Four this year; they lost to UMD in regional final.)
Sean Shapiro says
That note has been fixed. Thank you.