We wrap up this year’s Community Draft Board with an offensive defenseman out of the WHL, Tanner Molendyk. At 5’11 176 pounds he isn’t the biggest guy, but he makes up for this with his incredible skating ability.
Molendyk started the season with most people thinking he was a sure fire first round pick. As the season progressed however he started falling in most experts’ ranking and now is being projected anywhere from late first round to middle of the third.
Pre-Draft Rankings
No. 20 Corey Pronman (The Athletic)
No. 28 FC Hockey
No 28 Central Scouting (North American Skaters)
No. 36 Bob McKenzie (TSN)
Statistics
What’s to like?
When people talk about the best skaters in the draft, Molendyk’s name is always brought up. He has the ability to change gears in an instant and has this effortless grace about him when he moves.
Additionally, he is able to control the puck so well at high speeds, avoiding poke checks, and in some cases skating circles around defenders. This video is the best way to sum up Molendyks game.
Can someone clock the distance Tanner Molendyk covered on this one? @BladesHockey | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/XisPrjAHRc
— The WHL (@TheWHL) January 14, 2023
What’s not to like?
For an offensive defenseman, his numbers don’t exactly jump off the page. They’re not bad, just a little underwhelming for the type of player he is and the fact that it was his draft year. Molendyk will need a few more years in junior and other minor leagues before he is ready to make the jump to the NHL. He needs to add some strength and just fine tune a few aspects of his game, but I don’t think there is anything in his game that his too worrisome at the current moment.
How would he fit in the Flyers system?
Frankly, I don’t think Molendyk would fit well with the Flyers. It has nothing to do with his play or character but the Flyers right now have this logjam of offensive defenseman in the minors that they’re still trying to figure out. For example, we’ve seen Ronnie Attard be able to produce consistently with the Phantoms, Emil Andrae showed some nice offensive ability after he came over for the end of the season, and this might make Molendyk’s skillset a bit redundant. In my opinion, the 22nd pick may be better spent elsewhere.
Can the Flyers actually get him?
Unless some team absolutely falls in love him, I would be shocked if Molendyk wasn’t there for the Flyers to draft around the 22nd pick. He has slid a lot during the season causing most people to believe he will not hear his name called on day one, with some people even saying he may slid all the way to round three, so he may be in their range in even later on in the draft
What the scouts are saying
“Moldenyk is a strong two-way defenseman despite not being the biggest defender. This is because of his excellent skating ability and strong work ethic. Molendyk’s edge work is very good. He closes on checks like a pro and is able to evade pressure at a high level. His top speed is good, not great, but he can lead a rush. Molendyk has strong offensive instincts and skills and can make plays from off the blue line and on the move. His size will be an issue as a defenseman in the NHL, but he plays hard and doesn’t shy from physical play” – Corey Pronman, The Athletic
“Molendyk was the best defender in the CHL Top Prospect game in my opinion, and he has continued to be one of the best CHL defenders since the preliminary rankings. He’s been great at defending the blue line with his gap control and I’ve really liked his activation strategy this past month. Given his strengths in the defensive zone and his continued development in the offensive zone, he remains one of the best North American defenders in my opinion.” – Austin Garret, Smaht Scouting
Previously on the 2023 Community Draft Board…
- Connor Bedard
- Adam Fantilli
- Matvei Michkov
- Leo Carlsson
- Will Smith
- Zach Benson
- Oliver Moore
- Dalibor Dvorsky
- Ryan Leonard
- Eduard Sale
- Axel Sandin-Pellikka
- David Reinbacher
- Nate Danielson
- Gabe Perreault
- Brayden Yager
- Matthew Wood
- Samuel Honzek
- Colby Barlow
- Andrew Cristall
- Daniil But
- Calum Ritchie
- Mikhail Gulyayev
- Gavin Brindley
- Dmitri Simashev
- Gracyn Sawchyn
- Quentin Musty
- Ethan Gauthier
- Oliver Bonk
- Bradly Nadeau
- Lukas Dragicevic
- Riley Heidt
- Tanner Molendyk
