And we’re back with our final round of the 2019 NHL entry draft’s Loves, Lusts, Booms, and Busts.
Let’s begin with the defensive forwards.
Dylan Cozens is a name you might find on most boards teetering on the edge of the top-5. If he’s on the board at 6, he won’t be when pick 7 comes up. With a big frame already, Cozens does an exceptional job of pushing guys off pucks and dominating down low and along the boards. Plays a solid 200-foot, power, game. His play in his own end leads to many breakout attempts and, with his beeline north-south speed, he can quickly move the puck up-ice and finish with a laser beam wrister.
Dylan Cozens: Boom
One name circling the top-10 is Matthew Boldy; a versatile forward out of the U.S. National Team Development Program. “Polarizing” seems to be the word of the year, as it applies to many prospects at the head of this year’s class – including Boldy. Some have categorized him as the 2nd-best player out of the USNTDP program, behind Jack Hughes, while others have said he could be a swing-and-a-miss. Regardless, it’s his two-way game that has scouts intrigued. He isn’t afraid to play along the boards while carrying the puck into the offensive zone. Can easily body out his defender. And while he doesn’t have much speed, Boldy does a nice job of staying in the play with powerful strides and big steps.
Matthew Boldy: Lust
Then there’s Nolan Foote – who has defense in his blood. Unlike his father, Adam, and older brother, Cal, Nolan’s shot and along the wings is where he seems to be most effective. Does a nice job of screening opposing netminders and using his big frame down low. One of the underrated elements of Foote’s game is his passing. He’s an excellent distributor, with a textbook no-look pass. With 138 points (68Gs|70As) in 168 WHL regular season games, Foote has the numbers that prove he’s not a bust and could be a very desirable option on day 2.
Nolan Foote: Lust
The next set of prospects we’ll take a look at are the snipers.
If it’s a sniper you want, Cole Caufield is your guy. He has so many different weapons in his arsenal and uses each one of them effectively. Away from the play, Caufield does a nice job signaling for his shot to deliver a heavy one-timer. When driving the net or playing down low, Caufield’s ability to roof the puck seems unimaginable and leaves the crowd mesmerized. There’s nothing more I need to say.
Cole Caufield: Love
While it could be argued that he’s more of a two-way forward, Vasili Podkolzin’s sniping abilities are the driving force behind his success. Sure, he can muscle through tight defensive coverages or dish out a clean tape-to-tape pass, but his shot is really something special. When on the power play, he has an Alexander Ovechkin-type game of play, where he sets up at the top of the faceoff circle to receive the puck for a deadly one-timer. He can score in a variety of ways and shows good strength on his backhand shot. His offensive gifts can’t be ignored.
Vasili Podkolzin: Lust
Arthur Kaliyev can absolutely bury the puck! Other than that…
Arthur Kaliyev: Bust
And our final group, the brainiacs (IQ).
Dustin Wolf finished the year as not only one of the best goaltenders on the ice but in the classroom, as well – winning the WHL’s Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy for the scholastic player of the year. A real student of new age head trajectory, Wolf does a nice job keeping himself mentally balanced during games. Doesn’t get spooked easily, and seems to settle in, more, as the game goes on. Finishing the year with a 1.69 GAA and .936 SV% in 61 games played, Wolf showed equal dominance in the post-season, providing the Everett Silvertips with a true #1-netminder after the departure of Carter Hart. NHL Central Scouting ranking him as the 12th-best North American goaltender is a #^%&ing joke.
Dustin Wolf: Love
I’ve always been a fan of comedians because they’re truth tellers. One person who has a great sense of humor, timing, execution, and delivery is Trevor Zegras – who blew me away in early interviews. His high IQ translates into games, and you can see it every time Zegras takes the ice. He’s got unbelievably deceptive hands and overall playmaking abilities that leave you speechless. He can find anyone on the ice and was one of the USNTDP’s go-to players for offense. While he may elect to make the difficult play, rather than the easy one, sometimes, he has the abilities to make those plays happen and can rectify his mistakes with good defensive coverage.
Trevor Zegras: Love
So, based on last week’s and this week’s articles, the most eligible prospect is…
…TREVOR ZEGRAS!
Edmonton, come on up to the stage and draft your next future Oiler.
