The intriguing thing about first-round draft picks is just how much everyone wants them to succeed.

The scouts that pick them are connected to these selections for life, with evaluations inside their team and reputations throughout the league linked to their top decisions.

The front offices that hire the scouts are likewise linked, but even more so in the big picture. While a good year might be getting two NHL players out of any one draft, the odds say your best chance is always with your first choice. The odds also say that pretty much every team has to build its core through the draft.

The coaches know talent is a huge part of winning at the NHL level, so they want the best talent to perform, and the best talent typically comes from first-round picks. They also realize there is pressure within the organization to have these guys succeed.

Stars forward prospect Jason Robertson has a new team in the Ontario Hockey League, but nothing has changed when it comes to his production. He continues to rack up the goals and points.

Robertson, who was traded from Kingston to Niagara on Nov. 20, has tallied 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists) in five games since joining his new team. He made an impression in his first game with Niagara, picking up three assists in a 6-2 win over Barrie.

"Jason Robertson, at times, looks like a man among boys," Niagara coach Billy Burke told media after the game.

The Texas Stars played just twice last week, winning one and losing one. The schedule will pick up a little this week with Texas playing three games in three nights against division rival San Antonio.

The Stars, who have won three of their past four games, are 7-6-2 on the season. Center Justin Dowling is the new captain of the Texas Stars and rookie center Joel L'Esperance has been on a nice run recently.

Here's the latest on the AHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars.

Stars forward prospect Ty Dellandrea is on a nice individual run in the Ontario Hockey League, but his team is not.

Dellandrea, the Stars' first-round pick (13th overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft, has put together a seven-game points streak (four goals, eight assists), giving him 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 17 games this season.

The 18-year-old Dellandrea's team is a different story. The Flint Firebirds are 0-16-1 and have been outscored 38-104, ranking last in the league in goals for and goals against. Still, Dellandrea and the Firebirds are a scrappy bunch. This past week they took on the top three teams in the OHL standings and were competitive at times despite some tough circumstances.

Jason Robertson is off and running in the Ontario Hockey League. Robertson scored two more goals for Kingston Sunday, pushing his total to a league-leading eight goals in seven games so far this season.

Robertson, who recorded 14 shots on goal Sunday, has put 22 pucks on net in his past two games and leads the league with 41 shots goal.  

FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the team has reduced the training camp roster by one player. The Stars training camp roster now stands at 34 players.

FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the team has reduced the training camp roster by nine players. The Stars training camp roster now stands at 51 players.

FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has signed center Ty Dellandrea to a three-year, entry-level contract.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- The Dallas Stars closed out the NHL Prospect Tournament with a 7-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, securing fifth place with a 2-1-1 record.

Defenseman Ben Gleason scored two goals and forwards Tony Calderone, Brett Davis, and Sam Laberge all chipped in with one goal and one assist. Goaltender Anthony Popovich stopped 35 of 38 shots.

The Stars rested several top players including defenseman Miro Heiskanen, center Roope Hintz, and goaltender Colton Point.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- There was a lot of hype about Stars defense prospect Miro Heiskanen over the weekend at the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan. But one national media observer wasn't biting. He was more focused on the other Dallas prospect from Finland whose last name begins with the letter "H."

"Hintz is on the Dallas team this year, right?" he asked a member of the Dallas media. "He's an NHL player."

"He's pushing for a spot," the Dallas media guy answered. "He's close."

And that's where forward Roope Hintz is heading into the 2018-19 season -- on the cusp of the NHL.