He will need to develop into a more consistent scorer before seeing NHL action is realistic. Tufte has not scored more than 10 goals a season with the Texas Stars. Such is not good for a Stars team that often struggles with offensive production. History has shown the Coon Rapids, MN native will score in 3 straight games and then disappear over his next 5. That is, Tufte scores goals in clusters much like Gallo groups his home runs. One can think of Tufte as the “Joey Gallo” of the Dallas Stars. Scoring consistency is an issue typically associated with Riley Tufte. Having a strong showing requires Tufte to beat out a handful of NHL veterans. Tufte needs to have a strong showing at training camp to get Rick Bowness‘s attention and earn one of the roster spots. Such results in “almost ready” Stars prospects to remaining in the minors longer than anticipated. The Dallas Stars are a team that likes to fill empty roster spots with veterans at the beginning of free agency. Veteran overload is the main reason why Riley Tufte isn’t in the NHL by now.
(Photo by Bill Wippert/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) BUFFALO, NY – APRIL 13: Riley Tufte #27 of the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs battles for the puck with Colin Felix #26 of the Massachusetts Minutemen during the Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship held at KeyBank Center on Apin Buffalo, New York.
