Logan Stankoven Shines Early, What Will It Take To Earn a Callup?

 

(Credit: Ross Bonander/Texas Stars)

[Ed. Note: After an absence, we are happy to welcome Asher Rohm back to 100 Degree Hockey. This is his first piece of the season, and he will start covering away games very soon for us again. Welcome back, Asher!]

Losing the opening regular season series is certainly not a positive for the Texas Stars. Logan Stankoven, however, is already showing his blue chip status. In the second period of his pro career, he fired home a power play goal. In game two of the Stars’ opening series against Tucson, he scored the only goal for Texas. 

Two games. Two goals. As advertised.

While Texas undoubtedly looked disjointed to start the season, there is a tangible level of excitement in Cedar Park for this year’s prospect crop. Stankoven’s ability to find the back of the net right out of the gate will certainly validate the organizational excitement. Two games is by no means a guarantee for success moving forward, but Stankoven has earned himself high expectations. Starting the season with two-thirds of Texas’ goals won’t hurt those expectations.

As a side note, Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson both scored in at least one of their first two games with the Texas Stars. Of course, you know what they mean to the current Dallas Stars team. While scoring in an opening series is not enough to indicate what is to come, Stankoven finds himself in good company by doing so.

His strong start begs the question: What does Stankoven need to show in order to merit a NHL callup?

First of all, two games is a tiny sample size. The organization won’t complain about the start, but Stankoven will need to continue to demonstrate his goal scoring prowess on a consistent basis. Over the last two years for the WHL Kamloops Blazers, Stankoven scored 79 goals in 107 games. Everyone will be closely watching if Stankoven can produce comparable scoring numbers at the AHL level.

Second, Stankoven will need to look sharp with things that do not end up in the box score. At age 20 and with his blue chip status as a high draft pick with big expectations, there is a degree of leeway he will be given while adapting to the positioning and mental aspects of the professional game.

(Credit: Ross Bonander/Texas Stars)

But the NHL does not care about your age or experience, you have to be polished and prepared. Further, Dallas is not at a place in their Cup window where they can let an untested 20 year-old take their lumps in the NHL. 

Stankoven’s time in Cedar Park is vital to his development in this aspect. His defensive positioning will be just as important as filling up his scoring tally to his eventual NHL callup. However, I would venture that Dallas will be willing to shelter Stankoven some in the NHL if he is a point-per-game player in the AHL.

Third, Stankoven will need to wait for the right time. The reality of NHL callups is that a need must open for a prospect to make the jump. Undoubtedly, Stankoven could pile up points at a feverish rate and look so sharp that Dallas will have no choice but to make room. Texas GM Scott White often refers to this as forcing him to make a decision.

However, it is more likely that a hole will need to show up on the Dallas roster for Stankoven to take the trip north. And, as mentioned before, Dallas is in a position where they are less likely to take a callup chance on a young prospect for the experience of it. Consistent AHL results and polished film from Stankoven mixed with a sudden need in Dallas, at a skilled position, will probably be the cocktail for his NHL debut. That being said, fellow blue chipper Mavrik Bourque is probably in line ahead of him at this point.

Given where Dallas is in their Cup window and the players and prospects available at this moment, Texas fans will probably be treated to Logan Stankoven all season unless there are injuries or Stankoven absolutely sets the league on fire, forcing Dallas to call him up and play him. 

And two goals in two games certainly isn’t a bad start in that regard.