Sain käsiini muutaman draft-oppaan ja ajattelin kerätä tänne ketjuun Hawksin tuoreista varauksista oppaiden antamat kuvaukset. Osa arvioista menee ristiin oppaasta ja pelaajatarkkailijasta riippuen, mutta ehkä näistä saa muodostettua jonkinlaisen kuvauksen nuorukaisista ja heidän potentiaalistaan. Kuvaukset aukeavat Spoiler-nappia painamalla.
1 - #8 Adam Boqvist (D)
1 - #27 Nicolas Beaudin (D)
3 - #69 Jake Wise (F)
3 - #74 Niklas Nordgren (F)
1 - #8 Adam Boqvist (D)
Scouting Report | Has a huge ‘wow’ factor. An offensive defenseman that is a blend of excellent speed, slick pucks skills and a high hockey IQ. Possesses superb offensive instincts, and is a threat whenever he has the puck on his stick. The downside with Boqvist is his size. He still has a slight frame, but once he has added strength he will be a dynamic offensive defenseman at the next level. Projecting top pairing defenseman at the pro level with offensive upside.
Director of Scouting, Dennis MacInnis | “Dynamic offensive player who plays with energy & passion. Wants the puck on his stick when game is in the balance. Great skater who has good balance and agility. Needs to work on his defensive zone coverage as he chases the puck at times. Top end player with loads of upside.”
ISS Scout Joakim Eriksson | “Terrific passer, elite skater and plays the game with confidence. He likes to join the rush and act like a fourth forward. He runs the power play like a quarterback. He needs to bulk up and add more muscles to his frame to be able to play at the next level.”
ISS Scout Fredrik Johansson | “Difference maker. Nice break ups with his good read and accurate poke checks, his lack of size is compensated by his stick. Very good agility and difficult to catch. Very good in PP where he can break patterns and do the unexpected.”
Size/Strength - Below Average
Skating - Elite
Puck Skills - Very Good
Shot - Excellent
Offensive Play - Very Good
Defensive Play - Good
Physical Play - Good
Competitiveness - Very Good
Hockey Sense - Very Good
Strengths
1. Elite Level Skater
2. Puck Skills
3. Shot
Weaknesses
1. DZ Coverage
2. Size and Strength
Skill
Mobile, puck advancing defender with excellent offensive instincts.
NHL Potential
Top pairing with dynamic offensive ability.
Style Comparison
Shayne Gostisbehere
Complete ISS Reports | 24
Director of Scouting, Dennis MacInnis | “Dynamic offensive player who plays with energy & passion. Wants the puck on his stick when game is in the balance. Great skater who has good balance and agility. Needs to work on his defensive zone coverage as he chases the puck at times. Top end player with loads of upside.”
ISS Scout Joakim Eriksson | “Terrific passer, elite skater and plays the game with confidence. He likes to join the rush and act like a fourth forward. He runs the power play like a quarterback. He needs to bulk up and add more muscles to his frame to be able to play at the next level.”
ISS Scout Fredrik Johansson | “Difference maker. Nice break ups with his good read and accurate poke checks, his lack of size is compensated by his stick. Very good agility and difficult to catch. Very good in PP where he can break patterns and do the unexpected.”
Size/Strength - Below Average
Skating - Elite
Puck Skills - Very Good
Shot - Excellent
Offensive Play - Very Good
Defensive Play - Good
Physical Play - Good
Competitiveness - Very Good
Hockey Sense - Very Good
Strengths
1. Elite Level Skater
2. Puck Skills
3. Shot
Weaknesses
1. DZ Coverage
2. Size and Strength
Skill
Mobile, puck advancing defender with excellent offensive instincts.
NHL Potential
Top pairing with dynamic offensive ability.
Style Comparison
Shayne Gostisbehere
Complete ISS Reports | 24
An offensive blueliner, he owns a fluid skating stride and great balance, which allows him to carry the puck coast-to-coast and around the offensive zone. He is a constant threat with the puck in his possession. With his great puckhandling and elite first step and acceleration, he can win one-on-one situations and create odd-man rushes for his team. His ability to control the puck and make plays at high pace is impressive. He’s a natural on the power play, understanding what works and what doesn’t. With great vision, he can pick apart penalty-killers with his crisp and accurate passing from the point. His slapshot is very good – both powerful and accurate. Ditto his wrister. However, defensively, he can be an adventure. His decisions run to high risk, instead of safeguarding, in his own zone, which can be problematic. At other times, he’s too passive, even in clearing out the front of his own net. He is too easily pushed around and he loses lots of battles by being outworked or outmuscled. In the neutral zone, where he can use his speed and vision to read plays, he’s much more comfortable. Offensively, many of his tools are already elite, but he needs to add upperbody strength, especially before he starts playing more games against men. He has the potential to be an explosive difference-maker in the NHL.
Boqvist is one of the premier defensemen available in this year’s NHL Entry Draft. This year, he played mostly in the SuperElit league, but also played 15 games in the SHL.
His offensive tools are high-end and his shot is really good, his release is elite and amongst the best in the draft. He loves shooting the puck; he has scored many times from the point with his wrist shot. His release is such a key component of his offensive skillset, but he’s also good at finding shooting lanes and adept at faking shots and being patient with the puck to find a better angle to get it through. He thinks the game really well; his decision-making is excellent and he processes the game exceptionally well. On the power play, he moves the puck quickly to his teammates and has great vision to set them up for scoring chances. He’s really like a 4th forward on the ice; he loves to rush the puck in the offensive zone and can make end-to-end rushes. His skating is above-average.. His mobility, agility and footwork are all above-average. He can be a bit risky with the puck, as he seemingly likes try to score on every shift; he wants to be a difference-maker on the ice for his team. His puck skills are excellent, he’s dangerous one-on-one, as he can be unpredictable with his speed, shot or deke.
Defensively, he currently lacks the strength to compete against physically strong players, which is why he was not a fulltime player in the SHL this season. He’s a smart player and can defend well enough, but his lack of strength can hurt him when playing older stronger players. To improve his defensive game, we would like to see him compete a bit more in his own zone and be harder on the puck-carrier. Boqvist will probably need time in Sweden to gain some strength and mature physically, but has great potential and could be a premiere offensive defenseman in the NHL in a few years.
“He’s already better than half the guys they(SWE) had in Plymouth (World JrSummer Showcase in August)” NHL Scout, September 2017
“He’s top 3 for me right now. He’s more like Erik Karlsson than Rasmus is.” NHL Scout, October 2017
“It’s close between Hughes and Boqvist but I give the edge to Hughes because he’s already closer to being great in the NHL. Boqvist is almost a year younger so he might end up being even better but he’s farther away than Hughes is to being special.” NHL Scout, May 2018
“I think he processes the game very quickly. He gets the puck and can move it quickly with a very smart decision. Offensively he is a weapon. He has a good shot and great offensive instincts. He’s a work in progress in his own zone but largely due to lack of strength. I never like to hear the concussion word associated with any player, especially players I’d want to select high in the draft. The gap between Boqvist and Lundkvist shrunk quite a bit for me by season’s end.” - HP Scout, Mark Edwards
“Good feedback on his combine interviews and I interviewed him myself and was also impressed. Good self evaluation of his game.” - HP Scout, Mark Edwards
His offensive tools are high-end and his shot is really good, his release is elite and amongst the best in the draft. He loves shooting the puck; he has scored many times from the point with his wrist shot. His release is such a key component of his offensive skillset, but he’s also good at finding shooting lanes and adept at faking shots and being patient with the puck to find a better angle to get it through. He thinks the game really well; his decision-making is excellent and he processes the game exceptionally well. On the power play, he moves the puck quickly to his teammates and has great vision to set them up for scoring chances. He’s really like a 4th forward on the ice; he loves to rush the puck in the offensive zone and can make end-to-end rushes. His skating is above-average.. His mobility, agility and footwork are all above-average. He can be a bit risky with the puck, as he seemingly likes try to score on every shift; he wants to be a difference-maker on the ice for his team. His puck skills are excellent, he’s dangerous one-on-one, as he can be unpredictable with his speed, shot or deke.
Defensively, he currently lacks the strength to compete against physically strong players, which is why he was not a fulltime player in the SHL this season. He’s a smart player and can defend well enough, but his lack of strength can hurt him when playing older stronger players. To improve his defensive game, we would like to see him compete a bit more in his own zone and be harder on the puck-carrier. Boqvist will probably need time in Sweden to gain some strength and mature physically, but has great potential and could be a premiere offensive defenseman in the NHL in a few years.
“He’s already better than half the guys they(SWE) had in Plymouth (World JrSummer Showcase in August)” NHL Scout, September 2017
“He’s top 3 for me right now. He’s more like Erik Karlsson than Rasmus is.” NHL Scout, October 2017
“It’s close between Hughes and Boqvist but I give the edge to Hughes because he’s already closer to being great in the NHL. Boqvist is almost a year younger so he might end up being even better but he’s farther away than Hughes is to being special.” NHL Scout, May 2018
“I think he processes the game very quickly. He gets the puck and can move it quickly with a very smart decision. Offensively he is a weapon. He has a good shot and great offensive instincts. He’s a work in progress in his own zone but largely due to lack of strength. I never like to hear the concussion word associated with any player, especially players I’d want to select high in the draft. The gap between Boqvist and Lundkvist shrunk quite a bit for me by season’s end.” - HP Scout, Mark Edwards
“Good feedback on his combine interviews and I interviewed him myself and was also impressed. Good self evaluation of his game.” - HP Scout, Mark Edwards
1 - #27 Nicolas Beaudin (D)
Scouting Report | Beaudin is a skilled, undersized, offensive defender with a small frame. Most of Drummondville’s offense from the backend is generate by him. He is always thinking offense, he loves to carry and join the rush at every chance. He is a good skater with mobility, but does not have separation speed. We would expect to see a little more explosiveness and better top speed considering his size and being a late ‘99 birthday. His defensive zone read, and positioning is good, but he lacked the size and strength to win battles even against player of similar size. He will need to improve his explosiveness, size and strength to have a chance to play. Beaudin has middle pairing offensive upside, but a team will need to be patience with him while he develops.
ISS Scout Ben Gallant | “Slightly undersized offensive defenseman. Average transition game can make first pass or rush the puck. Activates well from point for back door plays on cycle or for loose pucks in slot, good puck distribution and shot from point. Defensively, uses his stick well to deflect shots and passes but lacks physical game. Appears awkward taking and throwing hits. Top pair defenseman at this level, but don't see NHL potential.”
ISS Scout Bob Johnson | “This player is playing in his third year and is the team’s quarterback. Good skater, very agile on is feet. He moves the puck quickly and is able to rush with it when needed. He has a very good vision on the PP. Defensively he is not physical, but is good stick and foot speed help him.”
Size/Strength - Below Average
Skating - Very Good
Puck Skills - Very Good
Shot - Very Good
Offensive Play - Very Good
Defensive Play - Average
Physical Play - Average
Competitiveness - Good
Hockey Sense - Very Good
Strengths
1. Offensive Instincts
2. Hockey Sense
3. Puck Skills
Weaknesses
1. Size and Strength
2. Defensive Zone Coverage
Skill
Undersized offensive defender with good hockey sense and skill.
NHL Potential
Middle pairing offensive defender.
Complete ISS Reports | 35
ISS Scout Ben Gallant | “Slightly undersized offensive defenseman. Average transition game can make first pass or rush the puck. Activates well from point for back door plays on cycle or for loose pucks in slot, good puck distribution and shot from point. Defensively, uses his stick well to deflect shots and passes but lacks physical game. Appears awkward taking and throwing hits. Top pair defenseman at this level, but don't see NHL potential.”
ISS Scout Bob Johnson | “This player is playing in his third year and is the team’s quarterback. Good skater, very agile on is feet. He moves the puck quickly and is able to rush with it when needed. He has a very good vision on the PP. Defensively he is not physical, but is good stick and foot speed help him.”
Size/Strength - Below Average
Skating - Very Good
Puck Skills - Very Good
Shot - Very Good
Offensive Play - Very Good
Defensive Play - Average
Physical Play - Average
Competitiveness - Good
Hockey Sense - Very Good
Strengths
1. Offensive Instincts
2. Hockey Sense
3. Puck Skills
Weaknesses
1. Size and Strength
2. Defensive Zone Coverage
Skill
Undersized offensive defender with good hockey sense and skill.
NHL Potential
Middle pairing offensive defender.
Complete ISS Reports | 35
An offensive rearguard, he is an average skater with good lateral movement. He’s not a bad player, just needs to really improve all facets of his skating. He has a tough time creating his own space because he doesn’t have another gear to buy himself separation. But with decent footwork, he is not afraid to jump up into the rush. He needs to know how to pick his spots since he doesn’t have the speed to recover on quick turnovers. He is not overly flashy, but he’s steady – he can be relied upon to make the right play the majority of the time. He’s got a very high hockey IQ, which helps cover his deficiencies. He’s great at reading the play. He knows when to jump into the play from the blue line to beef up an offensive attack, and when the risk isn’t worth the reward. He is a big offensive threat. He moves the puck well and he’s got a good shot from the point, even if it lacks a little velocity. If he could add a scorching point shot, he’d be remarkable. Already, he’s got the potential to be a solid power-play quarterback, because this is a player who likes to have the puck on his stick. It’s easy to tell he loves making plays. Good thing, because, given his size, he needs to be dynamic to have an impact. As it is now, he’s too average to overcome being a sub-six-foot defenseman. He doesn’t play with bite.
Beaudin had an amazing year with the Voltigeurs this season, with over a point per game, and finished 4th in scoring for defensemen across the QMJHL. He did some good work in the gym last summer, as he was able to defend better in his own zone and was able to compete better physically along the boards and in front of the net. Being physically stronger this year was a key in his development, as this always was a question mark with him in terms of whether or not he was going to be able to compete physically. The rest of his game has always been strong, as his vision and passing game are both excellent. He’s very good at moving pucks quickly out of his zone with a quick first pass. If no passing option is available to him, he won’t hesitate to rush the puck out of his zone, as his skating is above-average. On the power play, he’s a pass-first player. He is very good at creating plays for his teammates and finding them in the offensive zone. He still has work to do with his shot; he doesn’t have a powerful one, but does a good job getting it through and on net with a simple low wrister. He tends to use his wrist or snap shot, as they are more accurate; his slap shot lacks that same accuracy. His skating abilities are mixed, he has average top speed, but he makes up for it with his pure agility and his ability to change directions quickly to avoid the forecheck when rushing the puck. Beaudin is one the smartest defensemen in this draft class, and all year long, he was very consistent - we didn’t see him have many average games. Defensively, he made some good progress under Dominque Ducharme this year, and he does a good job using his quick stick to defend. He became more and more dependable for his team as the year progressed,.
To conclude, Beaudin was a favourite of ours since the beginning of the season, and we feel that with his smarts and puck moving abilities, he could an asset for an NHL teams on the power play and for their transition game.
“He’s smart, agile and can move the puck, NHL Central has his teammate but I prefer this kid. He’ looks like a top three rounds guy.” - NHL Scout, November 2017
“I like (Rasmus) Sandin more but this guys pretty solid.” - NHL Scout, November 2017
“Sandin is better, he’s more physical.” NHL Scout, December 2017
“I tweeted about him (praising him) prior to the Top Prospects game and then no less than seven scouts told me they saw the tweet and that they agreed with me.” January 2018
"I liked him earlier in the season but he hasn’t been good the last three times I’ve seen him. He needs to hit somebody once in a while. He has no shot, he’s turned over pucks like crazy.…what is he at the next level?” NHL Scout, April 2018
“I hadn’t seen him for a while but just saw him a few times recently. He was really good. He’s a first rounder for sure.” NHL Scout, April 2018
“He’s better (than Sandin) Sandin gets hit too much.” NHL Scout, April 2018
“It’s tight, that’s a good comparison (on Beaudin vs Sandin)I would go Beaudin because I like him more on the powerplay.” NHL Scout, April 2018
"He’s possibly the player I have seen the most this year, and I don’t think I had one bad viewing of him. Very consistent player from game to game." – HP Scout Jérôme Bérubé
“During my first trip to Drummondville this season, Jerome (Berube) told me to watch him. He was really good that game and I felt he could be a top 60 guy. The more I watched him as the season progressed, the more I was impressed with his game. He’s one of the smarter players in this draft class. ” - HP Scout, Mark Edwards
“Very good on his assessment on his own game and the kid has a plan.” NHL Scout, June 2018
“Rave reviews from several scouts about his combine interviews. One scouted listed him as his top interview of the week.” - HP Scout, Mark Edwards
To conclude, Beaudin was a favourite of ours since the beginning of the season, and we feel that with his smarts and puck moving abilities, he could an asset for an NHL teams on the power play and for their transition game.
“He’s smart, agile and can move the puck, NHL Central has his teammate but I prefer this kid. He’ looks like a top three rounds guy.” - NHL Scout, November 2017
“I like (Rasmus) Sandin more but this guys pretty solid.” - NHL Scout, November 2017
“Sandin is better, he’s more physical.” NHL Scout, December 2017
“I tweeted about him (praising him) prior to the Top Prospects game and then no less than seven scouts told me they saw the tweet and that they agreed with me.” January 2018
"I liked him earlier in the season but he hasn’t been good the last three times I’ve seen him. He needs to hit somebody once in a while. He has no shot, he’s turned over pucks like crazy.…what is he at the next level?” NHL Scout, April 2018
“I hadn’t seen him for a while but just saw him a few times recently. He was really good. He’s a first rounder for sure.” NHL Scout, April 2018
“He’s better (than Sandin) Sandin gets hit too much.” NHL Scout, April 2018
“It’s tight, that’s a good comparison (on Beaudin vs Sandin)I would go Beaudin because I like him more on the powerplay.” NHL Scout, April 2018
"He’s possibly the player I have seen the most this year, and I don’t think I had one bad viewing of him. Very consistent player from game to game." – HP Scout Jérôme Bérubé
“During my first trip to Drummondville this season, Jerome (Berube) told me to watch him. He was really good that game and I felt he could be a top 60 guy. The more I watched him as the season progressed, the more I was impressed with his game. He’s one of the smarter players in this draft class. ” - HP Scout, Mark Edwards
“Very good on his assessment on his own game and the kid has a plan.” NHL Scout, June 2018
“Rave reviews from several scouts about his combine interviews. One scouted listed him as his top interview of the week.” - HP Scout, Mark Edwards
3 - #69 Jake Wise (F)
Scouting Report | Wise is an explosive playmaking center. Playing with the U.S. National Team Development Program for two seasons, he has shown a lot of improvement in his skating and his puck skills. Very good skater has speed and great edges. Creative on the rush, finds lanes and exploits weaknesses in defensive coverage. More of a playmaker but can finish as well. Smart player has good anticipation and is rarely a liability on the ice. Strong in his own end, supports well and backchecks hard. Still has not grown a ton, but his skills make up for his lack of size. Overall if he gets stronger he has the potential to provide secondary scoring at the NHL level.
Director of Scouting, Dennis MacInnis | “Small forward. Good skater with speed and quickness. Competitive. Pursues the puck. Good pucks skills. Good shot. Slippery, gets open. Willing to play in traffic. Lacks size and strength. I like the way he plays but needs to get stronger and bigger for NHL projection.”
ISS Scout Tim Zeches | “Smaller playmaking center with upside. Good skater with speed and quick bursts. Has good mobility and agility. Great vision in the offensive zone. Creates passing lanes with speed or patience along perimeter. Supports well down low in the defensive zone. Competes hard, but size/strength is a concern, but a lot of talent here. BU commit.”
Size/Strength - Below Average
Skating - Very Good
Puck Skills - Very Good
Shot - Very Good
Offensive Play - Very Good
Defensive Play - Good
Physical Play - Average
Competitiveness - Very Good
Hockey Sense - Very Good
Strengths
1. Speed
2. Puck Skills
3. Vision
Weaknesses
1. Consistency
2. Size
Skill
An unpolished product whose offensive skills are still developing.
NHL Potential
Secondary scoring option could fit in well on second PP unit.
Complete ISS Reports | 26
Director of Scouting, Dennis MacInnis | “Small forward. Good skater with speed and quickness. Competitive. Pursues the puck. Good pucks skills. Good shot. Slippery, gets open. Willing to play in traffic. Lacks size and strength. I like the way he plays but needs to get stronger and bigger for NHL projection.”
ISS Scout Tim Zeches | “Smaller playmaking center with upside. Good skater with speed and quick bursts. Has good mobility and agility. Great vision in the offensive zone. Creates passing lanes with speed or patience along perimeter. Supports well down low in the defensive zone. Competes hard, but size/strength is a concern, but a lot of talent here. BU commit.”
Size/Strength - Below Average
Skating - Very Good
Puck Skills - Very Good
Shot - Very Good
Offensive Play - Very Good
Defensive Play - Good
Physical Play - Average
Competitiveness - Very Good
Hockey Sense - Very Good
Strengths
1. Speed
2. Puck Skills
3. Vision
Weaknesses
1. Consistency
2. Size
Skill
An unpolished product whose offensive skills are still developing.
NHL Potential
Secondary scoring option could fit in well on second PP unit.
Complete ISS Reports | 26
A smart centerman, he possesses good skating ability, with long and powerful strides that generate speed. Still, his footspeed could be improved. As it is, he is most effective when gaining speed through the neutral zone, so he can hit the blue line at top gear. He is quick to get into good places to support play. With the puck, he exhibits precision and quickness. He plays an effective offensive game. He shows great hockey sense and top-tier puck skill. He also has the ability to protect pucks, which allows him to battle in tight areas and to move the puck under pressure. His stickhandling skills are strong, especially in the offensive zone where he can dominate stretches of possession on the cycle. Accurate wrister. He uses his skating to position himself well in the defensive zone. He doesn’t engage physically as much as he could, but he’s strong on the puck and doesn’t shy away from taking punishment while in pursuit. He’s able to perform on draws. In all three zones, he has a competitor’s mentality. Defensively, he can play shutdown hockey. He can also help out a penalty-killing unit with his smarts. He’s a patient player, but one of those guys who can step up and perform when his team needs him. His IQ is high enough that he can handle centerman responsibilities even as he moves up hockey’s ladder.
He’s had to overcome some adversity after landing on the IR with a broken collarbone but his game progressed at a high rate, finishing with 39 points in 33 games.
More of a playmaker than a shooter, one of his best attributes is his passing ability. His passes are both accurate and crisp and he can find players through heavy traffic or off the rush. His vision compliments his style of play well, considering he does instinctively look for the set-up play as opposed to taking a shot, even if it’s a high-percentage shot at times. Though as the year progressed, he was finding soft-spots at a higher rate once his legs got underneath him which lead him to begin shooting the puck more often, while also executing at a higher clip. That being said, his shot is one of the weaker aspects of his game. There’s times where he doesn’t generate a lot of power and he has had difficulty changing the angle, specifically when off the rush. To compensate for this, he’s developed a tendency to head to the front of the net for rebounds when he wasn’t in control of the puck or working a give and go-sequence. He likes to use his slapshot even when in tight to the net, so he might have been making adjustments to counteract his wrist-shot deficiencies. Another trait of his that stands out is his hockey sense which he uses in many facets of his game and it shows up with his creative passes that he can make seemingly out of nowhere at times.
Although average-height for a center, Wise is stocky and well-built which allows him to protect the puck and he’s not easily knocked off the puck. He’s got a large upper frame and this may have been a factor in him generating less power than expected in his first few steps. However, he’s got good straight-line speed once he gets going and is more than capable of rushing the puck up the ice. The biggest draw back with his skating for us is his agility. He’s not as elusive for a player of his size as you would want to see, but he does have good puck-skills to compensate for this. He uses his softhands and strength to counter opposing defenses. Defensively, Wise plays a 200-foot game and we have seen some impressive backchecking plays from him throughout the year, although at times he could be more assertive away from the puck.
Wise is a two-way playmaking center with high-end passing ability and vision. We see him as a player who showed NHL potential with the proper development.
“I wish I had seen him more. I think he's a really good offensive player…good 1 on 1 player, good skill.” - NHL Scout, May 2018
“He works hard, he plays hard…I think he’s more of a 1solo offensive player than a playmaker…he likes to beat guys 1 on 1 and that opens up the game for him…I like him.” NHL Scout, May 2018
“If I had a concern it's that he’s 5’10” 190 pounds and he’s fully grown.It’s a valid concern” - NHL Scout, May 2018
“He didn’t miss a beat when he came back from injury and was instantly one of the best players on that U18 squad. His vision of the ice is as good as anyone in the draft in my opinion.” HP Scout Dusten Braaksma
“Really liked him going back to his OHL Draft year and I was looking forward to his return from injury. I thought he did a good job getting himself back on scouts radars with some strong performances shortly after his return.” HP Scout, Mark Edwards
More of a playmaker than a shooter, one of his best attributes is his passing ability. His passes are both accurate and crisp and he can find players through heavy traffic or off the rush. His vision compliments his style of play well, considering he does instinctively look for the set-up play as opposed to taking a shot, even if it’s a high-percentage shot at times. Though as the year progressed, he was finding soft-spots at a higher rate once his legs got underneath him which lead him to begin shooting the puck more often, while also executing at a higher clip. That being said, his shot is one of the weaker aspects of his game. There’s times where he doesn’t generate a lot of power and he has had difficulty changing the angle, specifically when off the rush. To compensate for this, he’s developed a tendency to head to the front of the net for rebounds when he wasn’t in control of the puck or working a give and go-sequence. He likes to use his slapshot even when in tight to the net, so he might have been making adjustments to counteract his wrist-shot deficiencies. Another trait of his that stands out is his hockey sense which he uses in many facets of his game and it shows up with his creative passes that he can make seemingly out of nowhere at times.
Although average-height for a center, Wise is stocky and well-built which allows him to protect the puck and he’s not easily knocked off the puck. He’s got a large upper frame and this may have been a factor in him generating less power than expected in his first few steps. However, he’s got good straight-line speed once he gets going and is more than capable of rushing the puck up the ice. The biggest draw back with his skating for us is his agility. He’s not as elusive for a player of his size as you would want to see, but he does have good puck-skills to compensate for this. He uses his softhands and strength to counter opposing defenses. Defensively, Wise plays a 200-foot game and we have seen some impressive backchecking plays from him throughout the year, although at times he could be more assertive away from the puck.
Wise is a two-way playmaking center with high-end passing ability and vision. We see him as a player who showed NHL potential with the proper development.
“I wish I had seen him more. I think he's a really good offensive player…good 1 on 1 player, good skill.” - NHL Scout, May 2018
“He works hard, he plays hard…I think he’s more of a 1solo offensive player than a playmaker…he likes to beat guys 1 on 1 and that opens up the game for him…I like him.” NHL Scout, May 2018
“If I had a concern it's that he’s 5’10” 190 pounds and he’s fully grown.It’s a valid concern” - NHL Scout, May 2018
“He didn’t miss a beat when he came back from injury and was instantly one of the best players on that U18 squad. His vision of the ice is as good as anyone in the draft in my opinion.” HP Scout Dusten Braaksma
“Really liked him going back to his OHL Draft year and I was looking forward to his return from injury. I thought he did a good job getting himself back on scouts radars with some strong performances shortly after his return.” HP Scout, Mark Edwards
3 - #74 Niklas Nordgren (F)
Scouting Report | An offensive forward with average size, who generates offense when ever he is on the ice. Nordgren likes to carry the puck into the offensive zone. Has the puck handling skills to dangle through traffic. Has scoring ability with his quick and accurate wrist shot. Has a low skating position and good stability. Shows good offensive instincts and has a good nose for loose pucks. Despite his lack of size, plays a feisty game and is willing to go into the corners and in front of the net. Strong on his skates and uses powerful strides to gain speed. Reads the play well and finds seams in the offensive end. Has the potential to play at the pro level in the future.
Director of Scouting, Dennis MacInnis | “Really versatile, deceptively skilled, and he plays with grit. Stocky, hard working two-way kid with below average size with good skills and speed. Played on first PP/PK unit - takes away shooting lanes. Like this kids passion and compete level. Can play on any CHL team and have impact.”
ISS Scout Sebastiano LoCastro | “Can play with anyone. Covers his point man well in the defensive zone. Good neutral-zone player. Good mobility. High panic point. Good anticipation. Protects the puck well. Very good moves. Good Hands. Has a good scoring touch. Good finisher. Impact offensive player at CHL level.”
Size/Strength - Below Average
Skating - Very Good
Puck Skills - Very Good
Shot - Very Good
Offensive Play - Very Good
Defensive Play - Good
Physical Play - Average
Competitiveness - Very Good
Hockey Sense - Very Good
Strengths
1. Puck Skills
2. Skating
3. Shot
Weaknesses
1. DZ Play
2. Size and Strength
Skill
Shifty offensive forward with good feet and hands.
NHL Potential
Second-line skilled forward with further development.
Complete ISS Reports | 5
Director of Scouting, Dennis MacInnis | “Really versatile, deceptively skilled, and he plays with grit. Stocky, hard working two-way kid with below average size with good skills and speed. Played on first PP/PK unit - takes away shooting lanes. Like this kids passion and compete level. Can play on any CHL team and have impact.”
ISS Scout Sebastiano LoCastro | “Can play with anyone. Covers his point man well in the defensive zone. Good neutral-zone player. Good mobility. High panic point. Good anticipation. Protects the puck well. Very good moves. Good Hands. Has a good scoring touch. Good finisher. Impact offensive player at CHL level.”
Size/Strength - Below Average
Skating - Very Good
Puck Skills - Very Good
Shot - Very Good
Offensive Play - Very Good
Defensive Play - Good
Physical Play - Average
Competitiveness - Very Good
Hockey Sense - Very Good
Strengths
1. Puck Skills
2. Skating
3. Shot
Weaknesses
1. DZ Play
2. Size and Strength
Skill
Shifty offensive forward with good feet and hands.
NHL Potential
Second-line skilled forward with further development.
Complete ISS Reports | 5
An offensive dynamo despite his dimensions, the forward is fearless, the kind of player who drives an offensive attack. He excels in open ice, but he has the grit to get his nose dirty near the crease and to drive to the net with the puck. And once there, he’s hard to move, size aside. The little guy can skate at an elite level. He’s fluid and explosive. And his top-notch lateral movement allows him to juke and jive in and out of traffic when he carries the puck on the attack. Nordgren also knows what to do with the puck. He’s an exceptional shooter – with a quick release – and he can thread the needle when he needs to feed a teammate. But he’s never in a rush. He’s patient with the puck and, with confidence and terrific vision, can out-wait defenders in order to make the perfect play. Helping matters is his versatility – skate or shoot or pass – and his unpredictability. For that reason, he’s an effective player on the power play. Nordgren displays an aggressive style, whether he’s attacking on the forecheck or making a different on the backcheck, and roves all over the offensive zone hunting pucks. In addition to the splashy talent and the highrevving engine and the edge he has, he possesses hockey smarts and character. Simply put, a winner who doesn’t hesitate to put his body on the line.
Nordgren is a player who made a smooth climb in our rankings all year long, but made his biggest impact at the last two big tournaments in February and April. Nordgren played this past season mostly in the U20 league, where he had great results, with 42 points in 28 games. He also played 15 games in the men’s league, where he had 3 assists. He had his best success playing the Champions’ league series, where he had 6 points in 2 games.
With Nordgren, the first thing you notice is his size. The second thing you notice: his skating. He lacks the ideal skating ability for a player of his stature. We thought he struggled with the speed in Plymouth in February, but his speed looked a bit better in April. Nevertheless, he will need to work on improving his quickness and explosiveness, as it is never easy for a small player to crack the NHL and even tougher when said player is not a good skater. We do, however, absolutely love his hockey IQ and smarts; he’s one of the smartest players in the draft. He sees the ice extremely well, has great vision and also showed at the April U-18 World Championships that he can finish plays extremely well, scoring 8 times in 7 games. When he’s in possession of the puck, he likes to slow down the play in the offensive zone. He’s a thinker on the ice, and can be a threat for a team, whether it’s with his playmaking or scoring prowess. On the power play, he likes to play on his off-wing, which is good for one-timers on the power play. Even at his size, he’s not afraid to go in the slot and receive passes there. We have seen him score many goals from near the goaltender’s crease. He’s not a liability away from the puck; he works hard, has a good active stick, and good anticipation that can lead to scoring chances shorthanded. Physically, he gets outmuscled when battling for pucks along the boards and will get pushed over by stronger players. We noted that his compete level doesn’t change, and that he keeps going hard. There’s a lot to like about this player. If he was a better skater he’d be so much easier to rank.
“Skating is ugly but he seems to find a way to get around pretty good. A small player who has skating issues really needs to wow me in other areas to have me consider rating him as a draft, let alone rank him high. Nordgren does wow me in three other areas, compete, hockey sense and skill. He did a good job making me struggle with what to do with him on my list. Might be a sub par skating small guy outlier.” - HP Scout, Mark Edwards
“Nordgren has skating issues. Ryan O’Reilly (not this years draft eligible Ryan O’Reilly) was far from a great skater in his draft year either. I still loved O’Reilly’s game and ranked him 21st overall if memory serves, because Ryan had excellent hockey sense, skill and compete. He wasn’t a huge player but wasn’t 5’9” and a buck seventy either.” - HP Scout, Mark Edwards
With Nordgren, the first thing you notice is his size. The second thing you notice: his skating. He lacks the ideal skating ability for a player of his stature. We thought he struggled with the speed in Plymouth in February, but his speed looked a bit better in April. Nevertheless, he will need to work on improving his quickness and explosiveness, as it is never easy for a small player to crack the NHL and even tougher when said player is not a good skater. We do, however, absolutely love his hockey IQ and smarts; he’s one of the smartest players in the draft. He sees the ice extremely well, has great vision and also showed at the April U-18 World Championships that he can finish plays extremely well, scoring 8 times in 7 games. When he’s in possession of the puck, he likes to slow down the play in the offensive zone. He’s a thinker on the ice, and can be a threat for a team, whether it’s with his playmaking or scoring prowess. On the power play, he likes to play on his off-wing, which is good for one-timers on the power play. Even at his size, he’s not afraid to go in the slot and receive passes there. We have seen him score many goals from near the goaltender’s crease. He’s not a liability away from the puck; he works hard, has a good active stick, and good anticipation that can lead to scoring chances shorthanded. Physically, he gets outmuscled when battling for pucks along the boards and will get pushed over by stronger players. We noted that his compete level doesn’t change, and that he keeps going hard. There’s a lot to like about this player. If he was a better skater he’d be so much easier to rank.
“Skating is ugly but he seems to find a way to get around pretty good. A small player who has skating issues really needs to wow me in other areas to have me consider rating him as a draft, let alone rank him high. Nordgren does wow me in three other areas, compete, hockey sense and skill. He did a good job making me struggle with what to do with him on my list. Might be a sub par skating small guy outlier.” - HP Scout, Mark Edwards
“Nordgren has skating issues. Ryan O’Reilly (not this years draft eligible Ryan O’Reilly) was far from a great skater in his draft year either. I still loved O’Reilly’s game and ranked him 21st overall if memory serves, because Ryan had excellent hockey sense, skill and compete. He wasn’t a huge player but wasn’t 5’9” and a buck seventy either.” - HP Scout, Mark Edwards