The Dallas Stars have signed another one of their prospects, this time inking Jacob Peterson to a two-year entry-level contract. Peterson spent this season with Farjestad BK in the Swedish Hockey League and could have become an unrestricted free agent if not signed by June 1.
Just 21 until later this summer, Peterson scored 14 goals and 33 points in 46 this season, breaking out offensively after flashing his potential the last two years. The fifth-round pick from 2017 has already outshone his draft position and will now get a chance to test himself at the professional level in North America. Per CapFriendly, the deal begins next season and carries a cap hit of $842.5K. Peterson will likely need some time in the minor leagues to get acclimated before pushing for an NHL opportunity.
If Peterson can hit, the 2017 draft is starting to look like one of legend for the Stars. It started with Miro Heiskanen at the top of the draft, but the team also added future starter Jake Oettinger at 26 and potential Calder Trophy candidate Jason Robertson at 39. Even Dylan Ferguson, the Stars’ seventh-round pick that year has made his NHL debut, though that came in a time of desperation for the Vegas Golden Knights while the young goaltender was still in junior hockey.
Earlier this year, Scott Wheeler of The Athletic ranked Peterson as the Stars’ 11th-best prospect, noting that though he is polished and has some “interesting qualities,” he may top out as a very good minor league player for the organization. It’s up to him now to prove that incorrect.