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2018 NHL mock draft: Western Conference teams

By Derek Grochowski

WORCESTER, MA - MARCH 25: Quinn Hughes #43 of the Michigan Wolverines skates the puck against the Boston University Terriers during the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Northeast Regional Championship Final at the DCU Center on March 25, 2018 in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Wolverines won 6-3 and advanced to the Frozen Four in Minnesota. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Quinn Hughes
WORCESTER, MA - MARCH 25: Quinn Hughes #43 of the Michigan Wolverines skates the puck against the Boston University Terriers during the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Northeast Regional Championship Final at the DCU Center on March 25, 2018 in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Wolverines won 6-3 and advanced to the Frozen Four in Minnesota. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Quinn Hughes /
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PLYMOUTH, MI – FEBRUARY 16: Joel Farabee #28 of the USA Nationals skates to the bench after a goal against the Russian Nationals during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on February 16, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. USA defeated Russia 5-4. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)*** Local Caption *** Joel Farabee
PLYMOUTH, MI – FEBRUARY 16: Joel Farabee #28 of the USA Nationals skates to the bench after a goal against the Russian Nationals during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on February 16, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. USA defeated Russia 5-4. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)*** Local Caption *** Joel Farabee /

14. Dallas Stars – Joel Farabee

The Dallas Stars have two major needs heading into the offseason this year — offensive depth and defense. Outside of their top line, the Stars do not have a long list of forwards they can go to. Radek Faksa and Devin Shore are both going to be bottom six players. Jason Spezza has finally shown his age and struggled mightily last season. A look into their prospect pool is not much better. Fortunately, the draft is deep with wingers and centers to help their offensive woes. Joel Farabee, another prospect coming out of the USNTDP, will be a major piece for the Stars moving forward.

Joel Farabee had a strong season in the U.S. program, picking up 76 points in 62 games. What sets him apart is his speed. Farabee is one of the faster players in the draft. As you can imagine, Farabee is great at using his speed to spread the defense and open lanes for himself and fellow players. Mix that speed with a great shot, and Farabee is a lethal forward. His game doesn’t stop in the offensive zone. He is able to use that high-end speed to create a nightmare for other teams trying to set up their offense. Farabee has the ability to fly around the defensive zone and shut down all the lanes teams try and set up.

If Farabee is available for the Dallas Stars to take with the 13th pick, it is hard to picture them passing him up. He is the type of player who will compliment any center nicely and can play a role on every line. The Stars do not have a player like that in their system right now. Farabee can define the organizations left wing depth in the future. Farabee is committed to joining Boston University next season; this is another opportunity for him to play with top competition and further define his game.

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