22. Minnesota Wild -AATU RATY, KARPAT-U20, Jr.A SM_Liiga
Pick by Brandon Quast of gonepuckwild.com
The Wild may have found a wild card in this year’s draft with Aatu Raty. It was thought that Raty would be vying for the top slot in the draft but things did not work out that way for the young center. Raty struggled mightily this season in Liiga. Raty projects to play in the NHL, but his effectiveness on offense is a question mark.
23. Detroit Red Wings–CHAZ LUCIUS, USA U-18, USHL
Pick by B. Heyrman of Detroitjockcity.com
The Red Wings will look to improve their floundering prospect pipe line with a player that knows how to light the lamp by selecting Chaz Lucius. The young center’s knack for finding the net may be the best in this year’s class.
Lucius has an elite snap shot which was his calling card. He is able to pick the corners with the booming shot that takes him an instant to wind up. Not far behind are his slap shot, which he can one time with accuracy, complimented by a deceptively heavy wrist shot.
While posting underwhelming assist number scouts feel he is a sound passer who’s play making is improving each season, He is an able stick handler, checking all the technical boxes, but seems to over handle at times, losing the puck in doing so. This is something that could disappear as his play making improves.
Lucius’ defense has no one excited, at least not in a good way. Scouts remark that there is little effort or attention to detail while he is in the defensive zone, which he will leave frequently before the puck is secure. Many see his defensive game as beyond repair and project him as an offense only winger.
24. Florida Panthers –OWEN ZELLWEGER, Everett, WHL
Pick by W. Gebelein of broadstreetbuzz.com
The Panthers are in the midst of a “win now” window with Barkov and Ekblad both in their prime and a very expensive Bobrovsky still effective. It would not be surprising to see this pick traded for more help on the blueline. Olen Zellweger, the smallish defensemen from the Everett Silvertips is an intriguing prospect at this point in the draft.
Zellweger is a player who’s skating really stands out, in form an in effectiveness. His short powerful strides produce superior quickness in any direction. He is able to use his quickness and balance to anticipate and negate dangerous plays. At times Zellweger can establish better position against much bigger players while battling for pucks, oft times forcing the puck loose. Zellweger’s strength on his skates lets him play bigger than his actual size, but it may not be enough.
Despite getting the most out of his smaller frame Zellweger still can be overpowered. He will need to increase his strength to be able to contend with NHL power forwards. Unlike other limitations, a player’s size can’t be overcome with training, which puts Zellweger’s NHL chances in jeopardy.