As we come down the final stretch of draft season, NHL scouts are compiling their final rankings for the 2019 NHL draft and journalists are trying to pretend they know what they’re talking about. Yeah… I went there.
Here at Beer League Heroes, we like to keep it light but also informative. So grab a beer and kick back while you read this edition of our dating game: Loves, Lusts, Booms, and Busts.
Let’s start with our first set of eligible prospects, the playmakers.
Even with an undersized frame and lack of physical defense, it’s hard to not fall in love with Jack Hughes. While he may have the scoring touch of a Patrick Kane, of the 112 points Hughes tallied with the USNTDP’s U18 hockey club, this season, 78 were assists. That speaks incredibly well to his team-first mentality and style of play.
Jack Hughes: Lust
Trevor Zegras, who some have dubbed (unfairly) “Jack Hughes Lite,” has some of the best playmaking abilities in this draft class. In fact, his high level of skill is not only greatly desired by scouts but also has become an area of concern – many fearing his exceptional plays won’t carry over well into the NHL. But, Zegras is aware of these negative remarks, stating at the 2019 NHL Scouting Combine, “What works in the USHL won’t work in the NCAA. And what works in the NCAA won’t work in the NHL.” Zegras’ self-awareness is a good reflection of his high I.Q.
Trevor Zegras: Love
While he certainly has performed well enough, this season, to garner attention from scouts and pundits, alike, Brett Leason may very well be playing above his potential – in his last year of Draft eligibility. He played incredibly well in the OHL/CHL playoffs and seems to have found his niche as a playmaking winger. He has great size and because of his age there’s maturity there, but when you factor in things like he’s never cracked 100 points in a regular season and that his numbers took a significant jump this year than in previous ones, you might be looking at a bust more than a sure-fire first-round talent, here.
Brett Leason: Bust
Finally, Ryan Suzuki; who has dropped on many draft boards but still has the upside as a true top-6 forward. His ice-vision and quarterbacking are made for today’s game, and, when you factor in that he was the first-overall pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection Draft, you have to think his maturity is off the charts. While he may not beat out his brother, Nick, for draft rights (Nick was selected 13th-overall in 2017 by the Vegas Golden Knights), Ryan definitely has the same game as his brother and potentially a higher ceiling.
Ryan Suzuki: Boom
Next, let’s take a look at the hard-hitters.
While this draft seems a bit subdued in the physicality department, a top prospect that has some grit and throws his weight around is Moritz Seider. At 6’4” – 207 lbs., Seider looked more than comfortable playing in the German adult league (DEL), this season, and capped off the year with a nice performance in their playoffs and the World Championships representing Team Germany. He drew the most attention at the NHL Scouting Combine, noting to reporters that he had met with all-31 clubs – meaning the whole league is in love with him.
Moritz Seider: Love
Swedish-born prospect, Albin Grewe, would certainly be in this conversation. His game is largely predicated on wearing down the opposition with his strength, whether he’s delivering a check, bodying up a defender along the boards, or just being a general pest against the puck carrier. While he likely will fall to day 2, I still feel Grewe has the skillset to make it as an everyday NHLer. I had the pleasure of interviewing him, earlier this season, and he seemed like a straight-shooter, no bullshite.
Albin Grewe: Boom
One name I’ve seen floating around is Navrin Mutter, the 6’3” centerman from the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs. A two-way freight train, one had better keep their head on a swivel when Mutter is nearby. While his stats suggest he’d likely be a bottom-6 NHLer, and therefore a “bust” in this dating game, I’d like to avoid getting my ass kicked by one tough ‘mutter’ – SHUT YO’ CLEVER MOUTH! So…
Navrin Mutter: LOVE!! (Please don’t kill me)
Our last category, for this week’s episode (part two coming soon), is offensive defensemen.
Philip Broberg drew love from the media, early on in the season, due to his exceptional breakout plays from his own end. One of the best skaters in this draft, Broberg can reach top-speed like a Tesla Roadster. He can absolutely rifle the puck and looks like he could be a solid PP defenseman, in the NHL. He could stand to work on his defensive game a bit, but again we’re talking about offensive defenseman, and in that conversation, he’s undoubtedly a hot commodity.
Philip Broberg: Boom
While he has fallen on many draft boards into the second, even third, round, Anttoni Honka began the season as a potential top-10 pick. His ability to carry the puck 200-feet is certainly intriguing, with good passing in the opposition zone, as well. He’s a really good skater, with shifty feet and quick lateral transitions. I’m not so down on him as some other draft analysts. He did a nice job contributing to the score sheet while playing for various clubs and leagues.
Anttoni Honka: Lust
Finally, there’s Lassi Thomson, a Finnish-born defenseman currently playing for the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets. A personal checkmark in my scouting book is whether or not someone made the jump to international waters – be it a European coming to North America or vice versa. Some scouts seem irritated by his lack of physicality on the defensive end, but then quickly turn around and glorify his offensive upside. While I err on the side of optimism, I can admit he needs work. But his ability to join the rush, coupled with his versatile shot combinations and strong backhand, is desirable for today’s NHL.
Lassi Thomson: Bust
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