This is the third part of my final top 50 OHL players eligible for the
2021 NHL Entry Draft. Here you will find players ranked 30 through 11.
EDIT - See report from Frank Seravalli
12. Ryan Mast - Defense - Sarnia Sting
Mast
is the kind of player who really takes many viewings to truly
appreciate. He was not someone who stood out when I watched Sarnia last
season (this is becoming a trend, maybe I just watched the wrong Sting
games). But having really focused in on him through video, there is such
a quiet efficiency to his game. I think he is one of the smartest defenders available from the OHL. What we have in Mast is a 6’4, right shot defender who profiles as a strong defensive presence, but who may also have some untapped offensive potential because of a high IQ. He rarely makes a poor play with the puck in the defensive end. His exits are excellent and he always seems to be aware of his surroundings, giving him that high panic threshold. His forward stride is a little lumbering, which will limit his effectiveness as a transitional attacker, but because of how quickly he gets the puck off his stick, he does aid in Sarnia being able to play at a quick pace. His meal ticket as a potential NHL defender will definitely be in the defensive end. While Mast’s explosiveness in all four directions could use improvement, the fluidity of his stride laterally and backwards, and his overall agility, are good for a 6’4 defender. This really makes him an asset in defending transitional attacks, as he can use his size and reach to angle attackers to the wall and strip them of the puck. He is also aggressive when defending, bringing the attack to the opposition, showing way more confidence than the usual rookie defender when it comes to stepping up in the neutral zone or early in the defensive zone to disrupt puck carriers. Overall his decision making, just as it does with the puck, stands out positively as a defensive player. He has such an active stick and he anticipates passes and movement well to be a disruptive force. I also thought Mast was among the best players at the Erie Showcase, showing greater confidence in his offensive abilities and playing more aggressively. He did have a few bad errors as he tried to take more chances offensively, but as he comes out of his "shell," that is likely to be expected. Bottom line, Mast is a player I really consider starting in the second round as I think that there is a strong chance that he develops into a very serviceable NHL defender, but I also believe that there is further room for growth to expand his ceiling.
13. Tristan Lennox - Goaltender - Saginaw Spirit
I feel for Lennox, perhaps more than some of the other players on this list. He had a terrific rookie season in the OHL a few years ago. Was terrific at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup. However, then he suffered that lower body injury in the semi-finals and it really seemed to have an effect on the rest of his sophomore season. Quite frankly, he struggled with the Spirit the last time the OHL hit the ice, forcing Saginaw to use a platoon with Marshall Frappier. A late born 2002, the last impression he leaves us with is not strong, without a chance this season to bounce back strong. Not quite as technically sound as Ben Gaudreau, or as large as Joe Vrbetic, Lennox is probably the most athletic and agile of the three. He moves very well side to side and front/back and that allows him to be aggressive in challenging shooters, getting out quickly to cut down angles. He also normally does a great job fighting through traffic to make saves, showing excellent posture and vision. However, last season he seemed really unsure of his angles and he was caught over/under committing too often, failing to hold his posts. Additionally, his rebound control was a problem, as he was kicking too many second chance opportunities back into the slot area. This was especially true for perimeter shots, which he just did not seem as confident in securing. As a comparison, according to InStat, in his rookie OHL season in 2018/19, Lennox had a save percentage of 99 percent on shots from the half wall area. Last year, it dropped to 94. His save percentage from in tight, that home plate area? Dropped from 80 percent to 76 percent. A lot of that had to do with how many second chance opportunities he was giving up. Last OHL season, I had predicted Lennox would win the OHL Goaltender of the Year Award. That certainly was not the case. However, I do think that he will bounce back strong the next time the OHL plays again and is a solid gamble outside of the Top 50 or so, because he possesses the same kind of potential as the likes of Gaudreau or Sebastian Cossa.
14. Artyom Grushnikov - Defense - Hamilton Bulldogs
One
of the 2021 Draft's biggest wildcards. I really wish that Russia would
have included him on their U18 team roster (they chose not to because of
quarantine issues) as he did not play a single game this year. So we
are left evaluating him based off of limited MHL ice time AND his play
an age level up internationally with Russia. This guy came into the year
a first round candidate and someone everyone was excited to see anchor
the Bulldogs' blueline. Now...where do we rank him? I think it still
needs to be high based on his defensive pedigree...even with the
unknowns surrounding his offensive upside. His package of size,
mobility, and physical intensity should at least make him a terrific
stay at home defender. Of the "stay at home" types available this year,
he has to be considered the most mobile in all four directions. Think of
the way Vladislav Kolyachonok moves; fluid and explosive. I think
Grushnikov is also a high level thinker in the defensive end. Rarely is
he caught out of position and he takes terrific routes to pucks, giving
him an even greater advantage to retrievals given his skating ability.
But what about offensively? Grushnikov has shown some potential inside
the offensive zone, particularly in his ability to work the powerplay
(even being utilized in the bumper position the way London used Alec
Regula). I think the hands are there. But his passing precision and
decision making under pressure were inconsistent and he really showed
very little confidence or ability to use his quickness to his advantage
offensively with the puck on his stick. However, it is important to note
that he was playing a level up and likely was being overly
conservative. This makes life difficult for us because it may have hid
his true abilities. 15. Ty Voit - Center - Sarnia Sting
Having
gone back and watched a lot of video from the 2019/20 season, Voit was
the kid who really stuck out for me. I didn't see Sarnia as much as some
other clubs two seasons ago, and when I did, Voit was not a stand out.
However, having gone back and watched more, Voit has become an absolute
favourite of mine. This kid has to be considered one of the best, if not
the best playmaker available from the OHL this year. He is most
effective currently on the attack, playing the game at a
feverish pace. With a quick, low stride and terrific edgework, Voit is a
very difficult player to contain because he changes direction and stops
and starts with relative ease, all while keeping the puck on a string.
While he does possess finishing ability, his vision and passing touch
would need to be rated above his shooting ability at this time. I think
the upside is very high as an offensive player. I also really like the
overall energy level that Voit plays with in the offensive end. He takes
liberties as all creative playmakers do, but when he loses the puck, he
fights to get it back. He is truly tenacious and fearless. A lack of
strength is the area that really holds Voit back from being a more
consistent contributor. He can be too easily knocked off stride or
knocked down and it prevents him from controlling pace the way he should
be able to given his hands. I think it also prevents that high energy
and fearless style from carrying over to the defensive end more
consistently. At the Erie Showcase, Voit was noticeable in stretches and in open ice, but as pressure collapsed around him, those strength deficits were still on display. As the conditioning and strength improve, the sky truly is
the limit IMO.
16. Brett Harrison - Center - Oshawa Generals
I spoke of pace of play with Johnston previously and this is the number one concern with Harrison. With a wider stance, he has trouble building speed quickly. His lateral quickness and agility have certainly improved, which is encouraging, but even greater improvement is needed there too, especially given the power game that Harrison likes to play. Where Harrison is most effective is near the net. His hands are terrific in tight and he is great at creating space for himself to get those open looks, escaping coverage to get clean looks pretty consistently at the OHL level. This is precisely why he is a weapon on the powerplay as a net front presence. Think of the way that JVR creates near the blue paint; the ability to finish on both his forehand and backhand, the ability to elevate pucks quickly, and the anticipation/awareness to beat defenders. Harrison is also a very intelligent two-way player, which is the one thing that he was able to showcase with minimal ice time at the U18's. Given how successful he is playing through traffic, it is certainly easy to see Harrison's game transitioning to the NHL level. It will just need to come after he makes continued improvements to his overall skating ability.
17. Jack Matier - Defense - Ottawa 67's
Thankfully Matier was someone who was able to play at the U18's, because I was not able to get a great read on him based on his limited playing time in the OHL in 2019/20. Of course, I did go back and watch some 67's video to combine with my thoughts from the U18's, so this evaluation does not come solely from that event. Speaking of the U18's, I thought Matier really improved from the start of the tournament to the finish. You can tell that he started to get more comfortable the more he played, after being off for so long. A 6'4, 205lbs defender with good mobility, Matier's calling card may be in the defensive end at the NHL level. Matier moves fluidly in all four directions and is aggressive in minding his gaps, stepping up to angle off attackers early. Not as overtly physical as fellow Team Canada teammate Ethan Del Mastro, Matier is no slouch in this department either. He will use his size to his advantage along the wall and in front of the net, to help him separate his man from the puck or eliminate them from the play. No question, it is easy to envision Matier being a long time #5 and PK anchor for an NHL team. The question is, does he have the skill to be a factor with the puck and ultimately someone capable of playing a larger role? Matier shows flashes of the ability to lead the attack, using lateral crossovers to build speed. And I think he has good instincts at the point, showing an ability to pinch to keep pucks in and hold the line. But as of now, I have not seen the type of creativity or vision required to be a significant offensive factor at the NHL level. If you think the ceiling is high, you definitely jump on Matier early though, because the floor is also high.
18. Ben Roger - Defense - London Knights
Much like Bryce Montgomery (ranked lower),
Roger is a late born 2002 who was an OHL rookie the last time the
league took the ice. And like Montgomery, Roger was used in a third
pairing role, cycling in and out of London’s lineup due to their
depth. Given his age, you would have liked to have seen him play more
for evaluation purposes, but such is the hand that we have been
dealt. At 6’4 and nearly 200lbs, Roger is going to entice scouts
because of his size, right shot, and his strong mobility. In a lot of
ways, Roger has the same sort of profile as a few of the defenders on
this list, like his teammate Montgomery, or Ryan Mast, or Ranvir Gill
Shane. The physical tools are there, but a lack of true
responsibility and ice time may prevent a true assessment of potential.
As mentioned, Roger’s best asset, without a doubt, is his feet.
Even at 6’4, he has to be considered one of the smoothest skaters
among this Ontario draft class. That is most certainly why NHL
Central Scouting has him as high as they do. He generates speed
quickly with his long, powerful strides and this allows him to be
quick to loose pucks and aid in the exit out of London’s zone.
Interestingly enough, the majority of the instances of Roger using
his quickness to lead the attack or jump up in the play occurred
earlier in the season, with him playing much more conservatively
later on. It would have been very interesting to see how his
confidence would have improved, materializing into potentially more
created scoring chances this season. From a defensive perspective,
Roger uses his feet to play aggressively when defending in
transition, minding a close gap and using his stick to force
turnovers. He occasionally flashes an ability to play the body, so
like his offensive potential, it will be interesting to see if he
becomes more physically assertive with age, experience, and
confidence. It should be noted that Roger was excellent at the Erie showcase, excelling in all situations and giving us a nice glimpse of his offensive potential. This was especially true when he was quarterbacking the powerplay. His decision making with the puck in the defensive end did leave some to be desired, but I saw enough at the event to move him up my rankings. Roger's overall conservative approach last year makes it
difficult to determine his upside, however 6'4, right shot defenders
with mobility do not grow on trees, so he will most definitely
generate a ton of interest at this year's draft.
19. Connor Lockhart - Center/Wing - Erie Otters
A former highly touted U16 player, Lockhart was the third overall pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection; and with good reason. This is an intelligent, creative, and well rounded offensive player. Equal parts playmaker and goal scorer, Lockhart has that unique ability to alter pace and control the offensive zone, taking what the defense gives him, rather than forcing options that aren't there. Armed with a quick release and excellent instincts, Lockhart certainly has the potential to become a high end goal scorer. However, he also sees the ice well and makes those around him more viable and serviceable offensive players. An excellent skater, the one knock on Lockhart is that he did not use his speed enough with the puck last year to create. On the forecheck, his speed was a massive weapon as he proved to be a pain in the arse for opposing defenders and forced a lot of turnovers with his motor and anticipation without the puck. Yet, in transition, he often seemed hesitant to truly let loose. Part of that was a strength piece, in my opinion. At a quicker pace, Lockhart was more turnover prone as he was angled off the puck, lacking the strength to penetrate the middle. But make no mistake, he has the potential to impact the game in this way. Adding strength will also make him a more effective three zone player, which in turn would make him more effective at the center position and not just on the wing. In a lot of ways, watching Lockhart from a season ago reminded me of Nick Robertson as he was breaking into the league and I do think Lockhart has that same sort of potential.
20. Francesco Arcuri - Center/Wing - Kingston Frontenacs
A former linemate of Shane Wright and Brennan Othmann on the Don Mills Flyers, Arcuri is a skilled player in his own right. In fact, that might be underselling his skill level and creativity as I do believe that he is one of the most creative and crafty offensive players available from the OHL this year. In his rookie OHL season, he really struggled. Arcuri struggled a lot with offensive zone turnovers, and with his
coverage in the defensive zone. Plays in the offensive zone had a
tendency to die on his stick as he tried to beat multiple defenders.
Blind passes or panic plays were also issues. Overall a lack of strength
on the puck and a lack of explosiveness as a skater held him back from
being able to take advantage of his offensive gifts. Thankfully, Arcuri went to play in Austria with Steel Wings Linz in the AlpsHL, giving us an idea of the improvements he has made to his game. And improvements he has made! He has grown a bit (a couple inches since the OHL last played) and this extra length and strength has made him much more difficult to separate from the puck. Additionally, he looks quicker. Arcuri’s skating also stands out in a more positive way with his ability to
use his edges to cut to the middle. His balance and agility are now solid and now that he has that added length, he can put defenders on
his back for drives through the middle. I also see a kid who looks more consistently engaged in the offensive
zone and neutral zone without the puck. He is forcing turnovers with
good stick positioning and on the forecheck. Arcuri will never be
confused for a physical player though. And his commitment and effort in
the defensive zone still does not match his work in other areas. Additionally, the blind passes to the slot are still an issue. When he takes his time, he is so dangerous. But when pressured, he falls back into some bad habits. Scouts will also be looking for him to continue to upgrade his explosiveness as a skater. All that said, Arcuri's production in the AlpHL was pretty similar to Francesco Pinelli, a player we are all ranking significantly higher. Arcuri may be a bit of a high risk draft selection, but the reward is also very high if he hits his potential.
21. Joe Vrbetic - Goaltender - North Bay Battalion
Vrbetic is a massive (6'6), but slight (180lbs) netminder who is definitely deserving of the NHL attention he is receiving. A late born 2002, Vrbetic has really only played one OHL season, unlike the aforementioned Tristan Lennox. His rookie year had some serious ups and downs, but it did seem like he had turned a corner in the final month or two before the pandemic shut everything down. Obviously, at 6'6, his size is going to be the first thing NHL scouts find attractive; it is the trend. He does certainly take up a lot of the net, especially when he drops down to the butterfly and manages to get out to challenge shooters. However, his quickness and agility is something that he will need to work hard on. He can get caught deep in his net too often because he lacks the quickness to react aggressively with a hard push out into the blue paint. This also goes for his up/down quickness, which needs improvement as well in order to give him a better chance of making those second/third chance opportunity saves. In flurries, he can get lost. That said, I do feel Vrbetic tracks the play well. His anticipation is excellent, so once he refines some of those technical components, he should be able to be a much more consistent netminder. Vrbetic's rebound control for a larger netminder is also good, especially his pad control and his ability to squeeze body shots when fighting through traffic. The control of his long limbs despite obviously lacking strength and power reminds me a bit of watching Matt Murray at the same age. Goaltenders are certainly tougher to project, but there is no reason to suggest that Vrbetic could not be an NHL netminder if he continues to improve.
22. Josh Bloom - Wing - Saginaw Spirit
Easily one of my favourite prospects eligible from the OHL this year. Bloom is just the perfect complimentary offensive player because of how well he protects the puck and how intelligent he is. His skill set is very diverse. At 6'2 and 182lbs, he skates well, with his long powerful strides allowing him to keep pace with those who drive pace. However, he also moves very well without the puck and understands how to manipulate space and read defenses to find those soft spots. He can put the puck in the net with a high end shot and quick release. He works the wall well and keeps plays alive, shielding the puck with his size and reach. He is also a supportive three zone player who has excellent stick placement in the neutral and defensive zones. I would like to see him play with a little more physical intensity, at least consistently, as I think that this would help him take his game to the next level. However, this is a very well rounded kid. It should be noted that just before the pandemic stoppage, Bloom was given a look in Saginaw's top six and he responded extremely well with the increased ice time, scoring three goals and five assists in his final seven games. Imagine if Bloom had played this year with Saginaw and had seen time with Cole Perfetti? I think someone jumps on Bloom in that 75-100 range and if they don't, they are making a big mistake.
23. Bryce Montgomery - Defense - London Knights
NHL scouts are truly going to make their money and their mark with
kids like Montgomery this year. He barely played in 2018/19 with
London after giving up on a scholarship to Providence to join the
Knights. So how do you assess and evaluate him based on minimal ice
time and even shifts to forward to get ice time? You
have to focus in on those great moments to truly see the potential
and Montgomery had a few of those. Montgomery
may be older than some of the players eligible, but he is also far
from a polished product as a projectable defender with size and
mobility. At 6'5, 220lbs, his top speed is quite impressive, allowing
him to chew up a lot of ice in a short period of time. He also pivots
and turns fluidly, giving him that elusive quality as he pushes
through the neutral zone to gain the zone. When he gains the
confidence to make plays with the puck consistently, he could be a
real asset as a puck mover. That is of course if you believe that he
has the vision and awareness to play that role; that is the million
dollar question and one that is difficult to determine based on last
season's play. However, Montgomery does offer upside in the defensive
end because of his mobility and size. Not a naturally physically
intense player, scouts will be looking for him to become a little
more difficult to match up against; using his full size and power
more to his advantage, rather than just his reach. I would especially
love to see him be more aggressive with his gap control, closing
earlier to stop attacks in the neutral zone and at the blueline,
rather than allowing forwards to dictate pace against him. At the Erie showcase, Montgomery's performance would be best classified as inconsistent. Again, flashes of brilliance. But defensive zone turnovers were a real issue. Overall, I came away with more questions than answers as it pertains to his decision making and IQ. If the OHL
plays this past season, he likely gets significantly more ice time
and responsibility. Maybe he flounders and we see how truly raw his
skill set is. But maybe he does not and excels, showcasing an ability
to dominate both ends of the ice. He has those physical tools. Like I
said, he has to be one of the biggest wildcards available this year.
24. Simon Motew - Defense - Kitchener Rangers
Motew, a
smooth skating offensive defender, did manage to play some games this
year. He played with Chicago in the USPHL, a lower level NCAA and
Division 3 feeder league. It's not really the highest quality, but Motew
torched the league with 2.14 points per game, one of the best seasons
in league history from the back-end. We have two comparisons that we can
make, Pittsburgh Penguins defender John Marino and current Toronto
Maple Leafs defense prospect Joseph Duszak. Marino was drafted out of
the USPHL with South Shore when he was well under a point per game.
Duszak was just over a point per game in his U18 year with the P.A.L.
Junior Islanders. With Kitchener a few years ago, Motew had an excellent
rookie season, getting in about half the games with the Rangers and
displaying some real offensive potential. Motew is a highly skilled
defender with the puck on his stick. He is dynamic carrying in
transition, but also shows really well holding the line, using his
excellent agility to walk around sticks and defenders to create lanes
for him to exploit. This is a kid with a really high upside as an
offensive defender. The question, I suppose, is how well can the other
components of Motew's game come together? At the Erie showcase, I thought Motew was one of the best defenders at the event, showing more restraint defensively as the tourney went on. He does jump gaps well and has a good stick. However, his high risk offensive game and love for joining the attack does put him and his team at a disadvantage at times. However, if you are looking at taking a player with a ton of upside, it is Motew.25. Ranvir Gill Shane - Defense - Ottawa 67's
Gill
Shane is a player who was really hurt by the lack of OHL games this
year. I thought he looked very impressive at times in his rookie year,
despite playing sparingly. Having watched some of his CCHL action, in
combination with his limited OHL games, it is clear that Gill Shane is a
kid whose physical tools are going to be intriguing to NHL teams. He's a
6'3, right shot defender, whose quickness and explosiveness might be
his best quality. He can really be a pace setter from the back-end and
the type of player who can carve up open space with his long, powerful
strides. Whether he has the vision and skill to do that on a consistent
basis at the OHL level remains to be seen, but the potential is there.
There were times where he really struggled with the forecheck and his
decision making in the defensive end, but what 16 year old defender
doesn't, especially with inconsistent playing time? That's why seeing
Gill Shane play a larger role this year with Ottawa would have been so
beneficial, to see if his confidence and play with the puck had improved
and adapted. Where Gill Shane really stood out in limited action was
his transitional defense. With that long reach and fluid stride, he is
really tough to maneuver around. In a breakdown for McKeen's hockey,
there was one play in particular that stands out, as Gill Shane went one
on one with Serron Noel, one of the OHL's most difficult to stop in one
on one situations. But Gill Shane matched him stride for stride, held his gap, and eventually put him on his butt near the crease, forcing the
turnover. At the Erie showcase, it was Gill Shane's defense that stood out too, especially defending in transition. However, he also showed more aggressiveness offensively to jump up into the play, using his skating ability to impact make an impact offensively. I think this player has a ton of potential to impact the game
at both ends of the ice and it is a real shame that we were robbed of
the opportunity to see him blossom. I wanted to put him higher, but with
such a small sample size and so many unknowns, it just did not feel
quite right.
26. Daniil Sobolev - Defense - Windsor Spitfires
Sobolev is another of the Import players who committed to playing in the OHL this year and subsequently did not end up playing anywhere in 2020/21. There was a lot of hope that Sobolev could come in and replace Ruben Rafkin in the Spits top four. A bit of a late bloomer, Sobolev played a regular shift in the MHL as a 17 year old and did receive a "B" grade from NHL Central Scouting earlier this year. He is an aggressive offensive defender who loves to jump up in the rush or lead the attack, and who looks confident running the point on the powerplay. His shot isn't much of a weapon, but he has quick feet and good four way mobility, allow him to walk the line well or find open space in the offensive zone. From a skill perspective, Sobolev is a creative player and the offensive upside is certainly significant. Sobolev is also an aggressive physical player, which is great considering he's only 5'10. By playing a more suffocating defensive style, he is able to compensate for his lack of reach. This is especially true down low, where he is a tough guy to win those 50/50 battles against. That said, I do have concerns about how well he processes the game. He is a bit of a mess out there, very unstructured and erratic. He has a tendency to chase the puck or the big hit in the defensive zone, taking him well out of the play. Defensive zone turnovers are also an issue as he tries to force the puck through traffic or misses the mark with his breakouts. I think he could stand to become a little more explosive moving forward, which is also concerning given his lack of size. He does not seem to be able to get the kind of consistent clearance he needs in the defensive end to move the puck with efficiency. That said, this is definitely a defender with a lot of potential because of his skill level and it will be interesting to track his development moving forward.
27. Braeden Kressler - Center/Wing - Flint Firebirds
If Kressler were a little bigger, I think that we would be talking about him as a potential top 50 selection. However, at 5'9, it becomes a little more difficult to project him as an NHL player given his style of play. A terrific and energetic two-way player, Kressler would be someone NHL teams would be looking at as a potential shutdown center if he were over 6'0, however that kind of role seems to demand a little more size in today's game. That means teams will probably project him as a more of a change of pace, middle six winger. Anyway you slice it, Kressler is an impressive young player and one who brings a ton of versatility. He excelled in a variety of different roles last season for Flint. He killed penalties. He played center in a third line, energy role. He played wing higher in the lineup with the likes of Ty Dellandrea, helping to chase down pucks and open up space for his linemates. More shifty than fast, Kressler is one of the draft's best on his edges; able to turn, start, and stop on a dime. This makes him a really elusive player in the offensive zone. The one area of his game that will need to show improvement is his shot and finishing ability, especially if he wants to be more than a PK, depth option at the next level. He earned so many good looks last season but had a really tough time putting the puck in the net. Without action this year, it is difficult to say what Kressler's high end upside is. But, given the well rounded nature of his skill set, it is likely that he should be able to carve out a role for himself in some capacity.
28. Stuart Rolofs - Center/Wing - London Knights
Rolofs
is a big (6'2) goal scoring forward who also happens to be a strong
skater. These are the types of players NHL teams are usually all over.
The problem is...Rolofs didn't score a goal in the OHL last season in a
limited role for London. To give you an idea about the type of speed
Rolofs possesses, he beat
Liam Foudy in the fastest skater event of London’s skills challenge last
season. North/South he is exceptionally quick. What Rolofs will need to
work on is his balance and edgework, allowing him to maintain speed
through his directional changes. This would allow him to be an
unstoppable force in gaining the zone and driving the net, given his
size and reach. At the HEO level he was able to consistently beat
defenders wide, but at the OHL level, defenders skate better and he was
not able to beat them wide without adding more dynamics to his stride
and agility. As a goal scorer, Rolofs seemed to lack the confidence that
he did at the U16 level, where he never hesitated given an opportunity
to shoot. In London, he did get his share of scoring chances, but seemed
more comfortable trying to drive the net to finish in tight, rather
than use that big shot. Additionally, the next time the OHL plays again,
Rolofs will definitely need to work
hard to improve his strength on and off the puck and his overall
engagement level in all three zones in order to earn more ice time from
Dale Hunter. A big kid, he, for lack of better term, would need to play
bigger. However, the potential for him to develop into a quick, powerful
goal scorer is going to be alluring to NHL scouts. At the Erie
showcase, interestingly enough, he played center and I think that really
brought out some interesting things in his game. He looked good
defensively, providing the necessary support down low and he was
confident leading the attack. However, again, a lack of strength caused
some failed entry attempts and turnovers in the neutral zone. The speed
and goal scoring potential remains real.
29. Jack Beck - Left Wing - Ottawa 67's
Jack
Beck is just one of those kids who the puck gravitates towards. In my
opinion, he has to be considered one of the more intelligent offensive
players in the age group. His ability to navigate traffic, find space in
the slot, and create under pressure was very impressive as a U17 player
and it is why the 67's used Beck a lot in their top six, playing
alongside Jack Quinn. He is the perfect complimentary offensive player.
He is low maintenance. Does not require a lot of puck touches in order
to get himself in the game and will do the dirty work to help create
scoring chances. I guess the concern is...does he have the physical
tools to do this at the next level? Beck is strong on his edges and
moves well East/West, but he's only an average skater in terms of
quickness North/South. As a 5'11, 152lbs kid (likely much heavier now),
will he be able to find those soft spots as well without adding a more
dynamic quality to his skating ability? When Beck did try to increase
pace last year and be a factor in transitional attacks, it often led to
turnovers. This begs the question, is he skilled enough to handle the
pace of play at the next level too? But I do really like this kid and I
am the type who is always willing to place a bet on high level thinkers.
Who is to say that some of those physical tools didn't improve already?
30. Jacob Holmes - Defense - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Holmes
has long been considered one of the top defenders in this '03 age group
in Ontario and was a first round pick of the Hounds a few years ago.
Playing in a third pairing role in his U17 season, Holmes was being
brought along slowly, as is the customary Greyhounds way (and it has
been successful). Holmes did see some time on the Hounds powerplay and
that is because of his big point shot. He will be a big goal scorer from
the back end in this league and is an excellent triggerman. However,
when playing with the puck, Holmes did struggle with his decision making
and turnovers were an issue for him in his rookie season. Without
question, his ability to start the breakout needs to improve.
Additionally, it is hard to project him as a true powerplay QB without
seeing more calculated decisions being made, in addition to the ability
to make more skilled plays to evade pressure or open up passing lanes.
Defensively, he looked solid though. Defends in transition and in
coverage equally well, using a strong stick and anticipation to break up
plays. He moves pretty well too. There's obviously the potential for
him to develop into a solid two-way defender. And the Greyhounds have
done a marvelous job developing NHL defensive prospects in recent years.
Does an NHL team take a chance on Holmes for those reasons? I do think
so.
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