NHL Prospect Profile: Trevor Zegras

– Trevor Zegras –

USA Hockey’s NTDP | Center | 2019 NHL Draft Eligible

Bedford, New York, USA | March 20, 2001 | 5-foot-11, 159-pounds

Trevor Zegras fell into the shadows of the NTDP’s superior centers, Jack Hughes and Alex Turcotte, for the first half of the ’17-18 season. However, once those two were promoted to the U18 squad, Zegras took over as the team’s number one center and proved that he is more than capable to lead a team’s offence.

Zegras put up 20 goals and 59 points in 56 games as a member of the U17 squad last year, but perhaps most impressively was his ability to lock down the defensive side of the game as well. Zegras became trusted to play in all situations and quickly became the team’s leader on and off the ice for the second half.

Strengths:

• Hockey Sense
• Playmaking
• Two-Way Game

Trevor Zegras plays a smart, two-way game. He reads the ice incredibly well and never lacks the necessary effort in the defensive zone to recapture possession of the puck, or at the very least, to eliminate passing and shooting lanes. More of a playmaker than a shooter, Zegras utilizes his vision to find teammates through minuscule seams.

With that said, he has a knack for being in the right place at the right time and can certainly beat goaltenders on shots through traffic or in tight. What coaches will love most about Zegras though is his consistent two-way play. He never gives up on the puck and backchecks deep into the defensive zone to help out his defencemen. He’s also become reliable in the faceoff circle, especially on the penalty kill.

Weaknesses:

• Aggression and Physicality

One area where Zegras may be lacking is with his current size. At just 159-pounds, Zegras doesn’t yet have the strength to play at upper levels. As a two-way center, it will be crucial for him to add some muscle in order to stand up against larger and stronger opponents in puck battles as well as in boxing opponents out.

Zegras also tends to shy away from the physical play and tends to lose out on part of his offensive potential as a result. If he is able to work on his strength and aggression on the puck, Zegras would be capable of being a top-flight prospect for the upcoming draft, and in the conversation with the top centermen.

Future Potential:

Trevor Zegras projects to be a second-line center at the NHL level. He possesses an elite level of hockey sense and is a tremendous playmaker. He can thread passes through passes and reads the ice well in order to find passing lanes that no one else sees. Heading into the ’18-19 season, Zegras forecasts as a late first round pick for the 2019 NHL Draft.

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NHL Prospect Profile: Cam York

– Cam York –

USA Hockey’s NTDP | Left Defence | 2019 NHL Draft Eligible

Anaheim Hills, California, USA | January 5, 2001 | 5-foot-11, 165-pounds

Cam York is a mobile, smooth skating defenceman who can make a difference at both ends of the ice. A member of USA Hockey’s NTDP, York added eight goals and 38 points in 59 games in ’17-18, split between the U17 and U18 teams. He also earned considerable international experience at both the IIHF U17 and U18 Championships.

York’s success stems from an impressive mind which can foresee developing situations as they occur on the ice. This ability allows York to remain calm and poised under pressure. He is exemplary in pivoting and skating his way into safe spaces which create time and space for both himself and his teammates. York is committed to Boston College for the 2019-20 season.

Strengths:

• Hockey Sense
• Skating
• Transition Game

York understands how to provide benefits for his team at all areas of the rink. He is a quick thinker and an excellent decision-maker, both away from the puck with his positioning, as well as with the puck. He is a smooth skater who has the confidence to rush the puck when it is safe to do so, or to make a two-line, tape-to-tape pass.

Cam York’s combination of skating and smarts make him a valuable two-way defenceman who can chip in offensively, especially on the power play. Photo Credit – Rena Laverty and USA Hockey’s NTDP.

York’s transition game may indeed be his greatest strength, as he utilizes his decision-making prowess along with his skating ability to make a smart play each time, whether that be a chip out off the glass, or to rush the puck through the neutral zone himself. York has potential offensive upside thanks to his passing capabilities and his capacity to set-up and organize a power play.

Weaknesses:

• Size and Strength

York is clearly a relatively small defenceman, but he does have room to fill out his 5-foot-11 frame. At this time, he is sometime unable to engage in the physical side of the game. He may lose a board battle or fail to box out an opposing winger, and will very rarely throw a check that separates player from puck.

While York’s mind can often make up for what he lacks in size, this will remain a topic of concern amongst NHL scouts. Whether or not he is able to line up against bigger and stronger NHL opponents remains to be seen, but for now, York could help himself dramatically by putting a few extra hours in the weight room.

Future Potential:

Cam York currently projects to be a top-four defenceman at the NHL level. He is an all-around, mobile defender who reads the game exceptionally well and can skate his way out of trouble with ease. He also has potential offensive upside, most notably from his ability to quarterback his team’s power play. Heading into the ’18-19 season, York appears to be a potential first round pick for the 2019 NHL Draft, likely in the latter stages of the round.

NHL Prospect Profile: Cole Caufield

– Cole Caufield –

USA Hockey’s NTDP | Right Wing/Center | 2019 NHL Draft Eligible

Mosinee, Wisconsin, USA | January 2, 2001 | 5-foot-6, 154-pounds

Yes, Cole Caufield stands at just 5-foot-6, but he plays the game without any fear and rarely ever lets his size be a disadvantage to his exemplary talents. The Wisconsin native played a large portion of the 2017-18 season alongside Jack Hughes and Matthew Boldy, en route to scoring 54 goals in just 59 games between the U17 and U18 teams. That mark sits just one goal shy of the record set by Auston Matthews in 2014-15.

Caufield sports a natural goal-scoring instinct, incapsulating a wicked release, creative hands, and the knack to be in the right place at the right time. He doesn’t shy away from the physical game despite his size, even throwing a couple of notable hits himself. Caufield plays each shift with a determination to help his team win, and often does so by filling the back of the net.

Strengths:

• Shot
• Competitiveness
• Puck Skills

Cole Caufield greatest strength is undoubtedly his ability to pinch the twine. He boasts an electric release and pin-point accuracy, allowing him to beat goaltenders one-on-one with general ease. He also has the vision to read where the soft spots on the ice are going to be and the ability to quietly slip in behind defencemen to find himself time and space.

Cole Caufield has adapted some elite level celebrations as well, a result of finding the back of the net 54 times last season. Photo Credit – Rena Laverty and USA Hockey’s NTDP.

Caufield plays each shift like it’s his last, showcasing a passion and effort level that is second-to-none, often broadcasted through his exuberant celebrations. He has very quick and creative hands which allow him to make defenders and goalies alike look silly. Caufield is simply an elite goal-scorer who can turn a game on its head with a flick of his wrists.

Weaknesses:

• Defensive Awareness

Away from the flashy offensive abilities, Caufield has room to improve in the defensive zone. He sometimes gets lost or chases the puck a little too far in his own zone, and can be caught visibly thinking about transitioning to offence before his team has secured possession of the puck.

Spending the majority of his time as a winger, this aspect has less of an impact than it would if he played center. With that said, it remains an area in which Caufield could improve his all-around, 200-foot game in order to convince NHL scouts to have full confidence in his talents at both ends of the rink.

Future Potential:

Cole Caufield projects to be a top-six winger at the NHL level. He is an elite goal-scorer who has the potential to put up 40 goals in his prime. Caufield has an engine that never stops and a passion for the game that shines bright every shift. Caufield plays a very comparable game to Alex DeBrincat of the Chicago Blackhawks. Heading into the ’18-19 season, Caufield should be a Top-20 pick for the 2019 NHL Draft, so long as GMs don’t make the mistake of passing him over for his size.

NHL Prospect Profile: Matthew Boldy

– Matthew Boldy –

USA Hockey’s NTDP | Left Wing | 2019 NHL Draft Eligible

Millis, Massachusetts , USA | April 5, 2001 | 6-foot, 174-pounds

Matthew Boldy quietly had a very impressive season for the NTDP in 2016-17, playing to a point-per-game clip in the USHL as well as adding 29 goals and 76 points in 61 games with the U17 team. He spent plenty of time playing alongside Jack Hughes and Cole Caufield, an indicator of his high-end offensive abilities.

Aside from the offensive totals, Boldy is also a very responsible two-way winger. He makes an noticeable effort to back-check in order to reduce odd-man rushes against and battles hard in his own end to regain puck possession. Boldy has a solid sense of the game and can make strong passes to set up teammates for scoring chances. He had a strong showing at the IIHF U17 Championships as well, registering three goals and nine points in six games.

Strengths:

• Scoring Ability
• Skating
• Two-Way Game

Matthew Boldy is an intriguing prospect whose 2018-19 season will strongly dictate his draft rankings. As a result of lining up beside Hughes and Caufield, some are doubtful of his numbers and individual abilities. However, Boldy earned his spot of NTDP’s top line with a combination of imperative traits. He is a terrific skater who is agile with the puck and has above-average top speed.

Matthew Boldy DOES NOT QUIT.😱 #USAvsYNG #NotDoneYet pic.twitter.com/eaCZ1hKVj0

— USA Hockey NTDP (@USAHockeyNTDP) May 2, 2018

Boldy has strong vision of the ice and can read plays to open himself up in quiet areas. He’s also a highly competitive player who isn’t afraid to go to the dirty areas to generate offence. Boldy showcased a strong release with good accuracy and has some untapped goal-scoring upside. He is also a reliable, 200-foot winger who treats offence and defence equally. A good competitor with strong hockey sense, Boldy could be an underrated prospect for 2019.

Weaknesses:

• Puck Skills

If Boldy is hoping to become a more dynamic and electrifying forward in ’18-19, he should focus on improving his puck skills. Boldy has good hands, but it is a trait that he fails to set himself apart with. He could certainly benefit from some extra creativity and abilities to maneuver through opponents in tight spaces.

A Boston College commit for 2019-20, Boldy must improve upon both the power of his shot and his capabilities to undress defencemen if he wants to prove that he has first-line potential at the NHL level.

Future Potential:

Matthew Boldy currently projects as a top-six winger at the NHL level. He plays an effective two-way style and has great offensive instincts. He is a smooth skater who goes to the right spots on the ice and has promising playmaking potential we well. Heading into the ’18-19 season, Boldy looks like a first round pick for the 2019 NHL Draft, perhaps in the 20-25th overall range.

NHL Prospect Profile: Alex Turcotte

– Alex Turcotte –

USA Hockey’s NTDP | Center | 2019 NHL Draft Eligible

Walled Lake, Michigan, USA | February 26, 2001 | 5-foot-11, 194-pounds

Alex Turcotte has been able to fly under the radar of the 2019 NHL Draft as a result of being slotted behind Jack Hughes as the team’s second center. However, scouts took notice of Turcotte during the 2017-18 season, where he tallied eight goals and 32 points in 31 games with the U17 squad in USHL action.

Turcotte is a phenomenal skater who can burn opponents at both ends of the ice. He is a responsible center who is trusted by his coaches in all situations. A pass-first player, Turcotte is an elite playmaker who can create time and space for his teammates or set the up for tap-in goals.

Strengths:

• Hockey Sense
• Skating
• Playmaking

Alex Turcotte is the ideal player to fit the new era of NHL style; skating, smarts, and vision. He sees the ice as well as anyone and can hold on or cycle the puck with ease to create time for his teammates. Turcotte can dictate the pace of the game through his ability to read developing plays and the acceleration and agility to turn on the jets instantaneously.

Alex Turcotte is regarded as a two-way center, but his dynamic playmaking abilities can often go underrated. Photo Credit – Rena Laverty and USA Hockey’s NTDP

The aforementioned skills allow Turcotte to be an excellent playmaker. He can find passing lanes through traffic with ease or skate his way into an area that creates passing options for himself. Not to mention, his defensive awareness is spectacular. Turcotte’s smarts extend into his own end to break up passes and force turnovers regularly.

Weaknesses:

• Shot

Alex Turcotte is a playmaker by heart for a reason. His shot won’t blow goaltenders away with its power, nor catch them off-guard with a quick release. It’s likely as a result of this fact that Turcotte has had to prioritize his role as an exemplary passer.

In fact, Turcotte’s shot may be the only aspect of his game that precludes him from being a top-five or even top-three pick at the 2019 NHL Draft. There are so many gifted goal scorers in the upcoming draft class that teams may opt for scoring touch over playmaking talent. With that said, if Turcotte can improve upon his goal totals in 2018-19, we could see his draft stock skyrocket quickly.

Future Potential:

Alex Turcotte forecasts as a top-six center at the NHL level. His offensive abilities can often go underrated as a result of his impressive two-way play, but Turcotte has all the skills to be a point-producer at the next level. Comparables include Ryan Johansen and Paul Stastny. Turcotte projects to be a Top-10 pick at the 2019 NHL Draft entering his U18 campaign.

NHL Prospect Profile: Jack Hughes

– Jack Hughes –

USA Hockey’s NTDP | Center | 2019 NHL Draft Eligible

Orlando, Florida | May 14, 2001 | 5-foot-10, 161-pounds

Jack Hughes enters the 2018-19 season as the consensus 1st overall pick for the 2019 NHL Draft. The 17-year-old center broke all kinds of NTDP records as a U17 player during the ’17-18 campaign, running up 40 goals and 116 points in 60 games, 36 of which came with the U18 team as an underaged player.

For comparison sake, Hughes’ point total fell just one short of the all-time NTDP record, which was set by none other than Auston Matthews during his second year with the program in 2014-15. Hughes appears to be set to annihilate the competition this year, where he will play both USHL and NCAA opponents, and will likely be a large part of USA’s U20 World Junior squad come December.

Strengths:

• Hockey Sense
• Skating
• Playmaking

Jack Hughes is, simply put, a dynamic player who can dictate the game in any shift. He understands the game incredibly well for a 17-year-old, visibly outthinking his opponents and articulating the best play available before it develops. His skating is is exceptional, with the ability to blow by opponents as well as the elusiveness to cut in and out, and edgework that is second-to-none.

Jack Hughes have quickly become the runaway favourite to go 1st overall at the 2019 NHL Draft. Photo Credit – Rena Laverty and USA Hockey’s NTDP

Putting those two attributes together results in an exemplary playmaker. Hughes utilizes his vision of the ice to understand when and where a lane will open up, and combines his skating abilities to maximize the output of his teammates. He can pull defenders towards him before setting up a wide-open teammate, or go to a quiet area with the puck before threading a pass through traffic.

Weaknesses:

• Strength

It’s not an easy task to outline Hughes’ weaknesses, because there are seemingly none in his game. The one category that could use some improvement would be his strength. By no means is Hughes a towering center, but he certainly plays bigger than his size would indicate. His strength doesn’t hold him back in any manner at the NTDP level, but in preparing for the NHL, Hughes would be wise to add some muscle.

As a center, he definitely needs it to become reliable in the faceoff circle, in boxing out the opposing center from his own net-front, and to improve in board battles. Again, this is not necessarily a weakness as much as it is an area for potential improvement.

Future Potential:

Jack Hughes forecasts to be a dynamic, point producing, first-line center in the NHL. He possesses all the tools to be a game-changer at the next level and should become a perennial all-star in just a few years. Comparables  include Patrick Kane and Clayton Keller. Hughes ranks as the consensus 1st overall pick for the 2019 NHL Draft heading into the ’18-19 season.