Stars

2017 draft: June 23-24, Chicago

The entry draft is one of the most important events on the NHL calendar.

Every team brings its entire front office and coaching staff into one city for about five days, and those groups bond within their team and interact with other teams on a number of subjects.

Dallas will bring 16 members of the scouting staff together with general manager Jim Nill and his front office group beginning Wednesday, June 21, in Chicago. They will gather in several meetings, with both amateur and pro scouts offering opinions as Nill tries to not only assess who he might take in the draft but also if a draft pick is a tradeable asset that can make the team better now.

Because all 31 teams will have entire staffs in the same city, the opportunity to make a trade goes up. With the Vegas Golden Knights announcing their expansion draft selections that week, the trade environment will intensify even more.

On Friday, each team has a big table at the United Center, with the first round starting at 6 p.m. The Stars pick third, so they have an idea who they will take. However, Nill will be calling teams about potential trades -- either for another player or to move down in the draft -- and he will have his scouts on hand to advise him what player might be available at whatever draft slot is being offered.

It's an interesting dance of preparation meeting opportunity.

Owner Tom Gaglardi will also be on hand in case there is a big financial decision to be made.

Saturday will feature rounds 2-7, and picks will be made much more quickly, but you still have a building filled with 31 GMs, so a lot can still go on.

BEHIND THE CURTAIN

How D-FW pro teams approach the draft

Cowboys | Rangers | Mavericks | Stars | FC Dallas