Dallas Stars take bold gamble on Cameron Schmidt as their next Jason Robertson-style draft steal

At the Dallas Stars’ development camp last week, the team’s blueprint for building a contender was on full display: invest in raw offensive skill, even if it means taking risks on undersized players.

It’s a plan that produced NHL stars like Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston, and Logan Stankoven—players picked outside the top of the draft but transformed into top scorers. Now, the Stars hope Cameron Schmidt is the next name on that list. For the 18-year-old Vancouver Giants forward, this summer’s camp was less about proving himself immediately and more about soaking up lessons that could help him break through—despite the size questions that made him slide to the third round.

Dallas Stars’ NHL Draft plan: turning WHL prospects like Cameron Schmidt into the next Jason Robertson

Joe McDonnell, the Stars’ director of amateur scouting, spoke candidly during the Frisco camp about why the team prioritizes scoring talent in the NHL Draft. “You have to find ways to maximize your value,” McDonnell said on the ice at Comerica Center. “You look at players who score goals or get high point totals, and those players have value in the league.”It’s a philosophy that’s paid real dividends. Jason Robertson, drafted 39th overall in 2017, is in the final year of a deal worth $7.75 million annually—and is positioned to top $10 million on his next contract.

Roope Hintz, selected 48th overall in 2015, is locked in at $8.45 million AAV over eight years. Johnston, picked late in the first round, is starting a five-year, $8.4 million deal. Even Logan Stankoven, traded to Carolina as the main piece in the Mikko Rantanen deal, signed an eight-year deal worth $6 million annually with the Hurricanes.“You have to take some big swings sometimes and see if they pay off,” McDonnell said at the camp.

Schmidt represents one of those swings. Standing at 5-foot-8, he posted 78 points in 61 games last season with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants and added 9 points in 5 playoff games. Size questions knocked him to the third round (94th overall), but the Stars saw real upside.

Dallas Stars’ Frisco camp: developing NHL Draft picks, WHL prospects, and Cameron Schmidt

Jordie Benn, working in player development with the Texas Stars, ran drills at Frisco and watched Schmidt closely. “The kid can skate,” Benn said after a morning session at Comerica Center.

“He is very smooth on the ice. He’s a nice guy. It will be nice to get to know him well.”Rich Peverley, the Stars’ director of player development, also shared his optimism at the camp. “Speed, skill, tenacity, we’re lucky we got him,” Peverley said. “Obviously, the size is a knock, but there are lots of comparisons to Logan. They’re similar players. I would say he’s a faster player.”For Schmidt, the week was about listening and learning.

“It’s just learning. This week is all about learning,” he said at camp. “Just listen. Just taking the little things from them and focusing on that.” He credited Stankoven as a role model: “To see what he has done to be able to make it to this level and then maintain his spot, it’s kind of cool.”General manager Jim Nill summed up the team’s thinking while standing in Frisco last week: “It’s not just the drafting, but what happens now.

We’ve got a great staff that works on the development part. We’ve had results from it, so we’re pretty comfortable.”As the Stars continue to invest in skill-heavy prospects, they’re betting that Cameron Schmidt will follow the same path—from overlooked to undeniable. “If you can even get one player a year,” McDonnell said, “you can build a team from that.”Also Read: Columbus Blue Jackets make surprise move, sign Christian Jaros for NHL comeback