Dallas Stars trade up and select Jake Oettinger with the No. 26 pick

CHICAGO — The Dallas Stars traded with the Chicago Blackhawks to move up to the No. 26 spot in the first round and selected goalie Jake Oettinger.

Here is my scouting report from the draft guide:

Jake Oettinger will likely be the first goalie drafted and his freshman season at Boston University helped prove he’s a big-game goalie that should have a good chance to succeed in the NHL (remember projecting goalies is a crap shoot). Oettinger has superb technique and takes advantage of his 6-foot-4 frame. His mental approach may be the best of any prospect in the draft and Oettinger gets up for big games, while (and this is more important) he doesn’t seem phased when allowing an early goal or after committing a mistake. Oettinger’s development is set up well for whichever team drafts him. The net is his at Boston University and he’s going to get lots of starts over the next three seasons, and he could be ready to step into an NHL back-up role after limited time in the AHL.

Dallas gave up a third-round pick to move up from No. 29 and Stars general manager Jim Nill said it was well worth it. They had Oettinger as the top-ranked goalie in the draft and there were a couple teams interested in drafting the goalie (including Ottawa at No. 28) before Dallas.

“That means a lot,” Oettinger said. “When they make a trade to take you, it’s a real boost of confidence.”

Oettinger said he had an idea the Stars were trading up to select him when the deal was announced on stage. He also said that he plans to be the Dallas Stars starting goalie some day, while the line of succession works well with Ben Bishop’s lengthy contract.