Dallas Stars’ rising star Wyatt Johnston excels on offense and defense at just 20
The Dallas Stars concluded their 2023-24 season with the second-highest point total in franchise history at 113 (52-21-9), propelled by standout players like Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Thomas Harley, Miro Heiskanen, Jake Oettinger, and the veteran Joe Pavelski. Amidst this elite lineup, 20-year-old Wyatt Johnston's exceptional performance stood out, with 32 goals and 33 assists in 82 games, placing him among the top age-20 scorers since the 2005 NHL lockout.
By the Numbers- Johnston scored 32 goals and 33 assists in 82 games.
- His Corsi for (CF%) at even strength was 54.7%, ranking in the 86th percentile among 499 forwards with 100+ minutes of ice time.
- He ranked in the 77th percentile for expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) and the 84th percentile for scoring chances against per 60 (SCA/60).
Some may question Johnston's exaggerated defensive metrics due to the team's overall strength, but his performance remains impressive.
State of Play- The Stars enter the playoffs as one of the favorites, with a strong core of young talent and a solid prospect pool.
- Johnston's potential as a first-line center adds to the team's Stanley Cup contention for the long term.
Johnston's challenge lies in the upcoming 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, as the Stars face the Vegas Golden Knights, seeking contributions from the young player to secure victory.
Bottom LineAmidst the Stars' formidable lineup and potential for long-term Stanley Cup contention, Johnston's exceptional performance and potential as a first-line center position him as a key player to watch in the upcoming playoffs and in future seasons.
Read more at The Hockey Writers
The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI