By conventional wisdom the Dallas Stars tipped their hand on Shane Bowers and seemingly aren’t interested in the 6-foot-1.5, 178.28 pound center from the Waterloo Blackhawks.
That’s because at this week’s NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo the Stars were the only team that didn’t meet with Bowers for an interview.
That could mean a couple things. It could mean Dallas won’t take Bowers in any situation (possible), and it could mean the Stars already have done their due diligence on the player and didn’t need to gather any additional intel at the combine (seemingly unlikely).
Either way it would be remiss to completely ignore Bowers — stranger things have happened — and he could be available late in the first round when Dallas picks at No. 29.
Bowers didn’t take a prototypical route to the NHL Entry draft. He was twice drafted in the QMJHL Draft, but wanted to pursue an opportunity in the USHL and later committed to Boston University, where he’ll enroll as a freshman in the fall.
One of the interesting things about Bowers is that he has an extremely high floor, but his NHL ceiling is hard to project. A couple scouts agree he’s a sure fire NHL player, but there is some debate whether he’ll be a role player or if he has the talent to be a top-line player — he’s seemingly good at everything, but not great in any particular area.
Bowers is a good skater and has good speed, but not elite speed. He has good balance and doesn’t get knocked over easily.
Defensively he’s a very reliable forward and he does a good job disrupting plays and forcing turnovers. He’s very strong in the face-off circle, and that will be an asset for him as he advances to the next level.
Offensively there was hope he would have better production in the USHL this past season, but he still had an adequate showing with 51 points (22 goals, 29 assists) in 60 games. One scout said some of that had to do with Bowers’ teammates, there are certain plays he made that would work with more elite players or teammates that think the game at a higher level.
That theory will be tested at Boston University next season where he’ll play with better players. While the Stars are seemingly cooled off on him, one scout told me that Bowers is the “prototypical Blackhawks first-rounder” and that’s something to keep in mind when Chicago makes a pick at No. 26.
DrewL says
Stars only team not to interview Bowers or Poehling. Given where they are likely to go in the draft, makes one wonder if Stars know who they’re planning to take at 29 overall. My guess is they are zeroing in on BU goaltender Jake Oettinger in that spot.