As the 2020 NHL Entry Draft only saw two players chosen in the top 31 selections, the 2021 Draft is ought to change that. The approaching draft could see as many as three American-born players selected in the top-ten (hopefully) in June of next year.
Of those three, there’s Chaz Lucius. the Grant, Minnesota native has been a significant player to observe for a few years now and is perhaps one of the most talented players in 2021. While Lucius is the undisputed leading American player, Beniers and brother of NHL star’s Jack and Quinn Hughes, Luke Hughes is poised to make a name for himself at the draft. The cunning defenseman isn’t as ostentatious as his older brothers, yet there’s outstanding ability in him.
While a few tiers below the company of the three above, defenseman Aidan Hreschuk and forward Sasha Pastujov are two players where expectations have simmered in recent showings. The once two highly coveted players may find their way to the latter half of the upcoming first-round in 2021.
Chaz Lucius – Forward – 6’0 – 172lbs - USA
Perhaps one of the most gifted players in the 2021 draft, Lucius is a player that not only has superb hands but a great understanding of the ice. He always knows the place to be to unload that terrific shot of his. Even though he is a sufficient playmaker, Lucius is a first and foremost a goal-scorer. There’s a marvelous intuition in his game that makes him feel like one of the safer bets in the upcoming draft. With that said, you want him to be a better skater, if he can enhance his skating there’s a whole other side of his game to be found. He is a captivating player that you don’t always notice until you look at a scoresheet. At 6’0 172lbs, there’s some weight to be put on prior to starting in an NHL game. Lucius was wonderful last year with the USDP putting up 50 points in 46 games, with 31 goals.
Matthew Beniers – Forward – 6’1 – 174lbs - USA
Beniers is a first-class, two-way prospect that can be employed in many situations. While he is a proficient winger, his game in my view would be mostly be efficient as a center. He’s a work horse and has strength in front of the net. One of the supreme skater’s in the draft, Beniers has a slick stride and is swift on his feet. With a marvelous skillset, Beniers exhibits himself more as a playmaker compared to a scorer. He can be erratic some nights, but he is a player that utterly deserves top 10 recognition, yet other nights he looks more mid-round pick. With that said, there’s substantial vision in his toolbox. He has extraordinary talent, it just won’t always command’s one’s viewing. De-committing from Harvard to play at Michigan, he is set to play on a supreme Michigan team this year.
Luke Hughes – Defense – 6’2 – 176lbs - USA
With good size, as well as wonderful mobility in his skating, Luke Hughes may just be a top 10 selection in 2021. For his ability he isn’t as energetic as you’d want him to be, but there’s promise. He’s not the same level of a skater like his brothers, yet there’s a rush in his game, he may just be the fastest of the three brothers. He won’t ever carry a franchise, but he should be a core piece of one. Speaking of his brothers, he’s more well-balanced than the other two. While the brothers display high-end offensive inclinations, Hughes is tranquil, he plays the game at a gentle pace. That’s not to say he has zero offensive flare; it’s just not as brought out as one would like. As Jack and Quinn are extraordinary players in their own right, Luke is a player hockey fans have seen before. With 28 points in 48 games last year for the USDP U17 squad, some of that offensive game was applied, nevertheless he’s careful when to use it. He won’t be ever as precarious as Quinn.
Aidan Hreschuk – Defense – 5’11 – 181lbs - USA
A product of the LA Jr Kings program, Hreschuk has been a player on scouts radar for a few years now. The 5’11, 181lbs defenseman is a wonderful skater with suburb passing ability that can astonish you with his sneaky shot. The LA native has proven to be a tremendous puck-mover despite his limited opportunities with a loaded NTDP defense. With that said, with fewer showings, it has made it difficult to fully gauge what kind of player he’ll project to be. He's certainly capable, but there’s no dynamic quality for what you’d want in a high-round pick. He can skate into the offensive zone with ease and make a quick pass, yet his play rarely determines whether a team will lose or win. Often, he simply lacks the conviction you’d want out of a highly regarded player.
Sasha Pastujov – LW – 6’0 – 174lbs – USA
A skilled playmaker out of Florida, Pastujov may be the most offensively gifted player in the NTDP. A bit of an instigator, there’s a lot of raw ability to his game, he’s a player that can break out offensively even when there are seemingly no options around him. While his talent is unquestioned, his skating may be an issue in the future. Unless he can improve his skating throughout this season, Pastujov could be a candidate to slip out of the first round. Despite his inferior skating, Pastujov can break out of defender’s reach, often with ease, due to his gifted offensive abilities.
Kommentare