Usually once you get past the top 20 picks in a draft, people tend to think the rest is boring. Unless you are obsessed with junior hockey, you probably don’t know the player’s name or anything about him. However, this is where teams can be made or broken. While every team would love to have the first five picks in the draft, that’s not the way it works. Look at any Stanley Cup-winning team and you find a ton of important players that were drafted in the late first, second, or third rounds, if not lower.
Today I think we have one of those players in Ethan Gauthier. His stats aren’t going to jump off the page, he’s not some oversized project, he’s just a good hockey player. He understands what needs to be done to help his team and he does it. Let’s take a look at what makes Gauthier such an interesting prospect.
Pre-Draft Rankings
No. 16 by Bob McKenzie (TSN)
No. 16 by Central Scouting (North American Skaters)
No. 23 by FC Hockey
No. 24 byScott Wheeler (The Athletic)
No. 28 by Sportsnet
Statistics
What’s to like?
Gauthier is a grinder at heart. That’s not saying that he doesn’t have immense offensive talent, but he really makes his impact in the little areas of the game. He is a pest on the forecheck, able to engage in puck battles and win them himself or wait for help from his teammates.
Back to his offensive skills; he has great puck control and is comfortable making moves around defenders and patiently letting the play develop. He always seems to be moving in the zone finding open spaces to receive passes or get in position for good scoring chances, scoring 30 goals this season in the QMJHL.
What’s not to like?
His speed and overall skating ability could use some work, but that is definitely something that can be improved before he gets to the NHL. His skating doesn’t necessarily harm his game, but improving it would make him much more explosive, especially in the offensive zone.
Another thing that is somewhat worrisome is his consistency. He had a fantastic opening to the season recording 40 points in the first 35 games. Then he fell off a bit scoring 29 points in the final 31 games. While this doesn’t seem like a big difference, in a draft year I would have liked to see him keep that pace for the entire season.
How would he fit in the Flyers’ system?
I think he would fit very well in the Flyers’ system. He is a guy that Tortorella would love to have, due his responsibility on defense and motor. He also seems like the type of player the Flyers organization is looking for in this “new era.” Someone who will always work hard no matter the situation and who fans would come to see and be proud to have as a Flyer.
While I think there is more skill in Travis Konecny’s game, there is a lot of similarities between the two. Both are a little undersized but absolute pests for opponents, and always seem to keep their feet moving. They are both very comfortable with the puck on their stick but don’t necessarily need it to be effective. They are players that fans would say “I love him on our team, but would hate him on another team.”
Can the Flyers actually get him?
I do think there is a good chance he is there when the Flyers pick at 22 overall. Apart from a few experts who have him their top 20, most have him falling some where in the mid 20s.
Should he fall to the Flyers, I think there would be a real discussion about drafting him. I doubt we will look back on this draft in 10 years and see Gauthier as a top 10 or even 20 player in this draft. However I do think if the Flyers passed on him, he could be a player we look back and think I really wish we had him.
What scouts are saying
“Gauthier is an excellent forechecker who works hard to pressure opposing defenders to force mistakes and turnovers. He has a nose for the net and can bury opportunities close to the goal mouth while also being capable of beating netminders from medium range with his strong shot.” – Brandon Holmes, FC Hockey
“Defensively aware. He collapses down to assist and doesn’t cheat in his zone. Thinks the game well overall and brings an offensive element. Potential top six NHL upside. Elements are skill and IQ.”- Jason Bukala, Sportsnet
“He has talent but also competes well. He is quite physical and can be a nasty player to play against, which you love to see from a smaller player. Gauthier gets to the net and can create chances there frequently.”- Corey Pronman, The Athletic
“One of my favorite players from a style perspective, Gauthier is fierce, aggressive and never stops moving. He saw his offensive output jump by 30 points to a nice 69 this year, establishing himself as a strong goal-scorer.”- Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff
Just one addition to the poll today! It’s Riley Heidt!
Heidt, taken No. 2 in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft with the pick between Bedard and Yager (he and Yager were actually teammates in minor hockey), is a talented and hardworking playmaker who keeps himself involved in the play off the puck and then makes plays between battles in possession of the puck. He was the go-to center for the Cougars in the faceoff circle this year. He’s also a strong skater who is light on his edges, plays with jump, builds speed quickly into flight to put defenders on their heels and/or create separation, leads a lot of neutral-zone carries into entries, and makes plays into space for himself or his linemates at pace, though he can over-pass at times (to the point where he passes up good looks). He’ll make plays through seams. He’s eager physically and can play a scrappy pest game when the intensity ramps up (which has resulted in a couple of suspensions in his time in the WHL). He’s unafraid to try things and has the skill to execute difficult plays. And he always seems to be around it. – Scott Wheeler, The Athletic
Who should be No. 28 on the Community Draft Board?