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Ottawa Senators System Overview:
Pierre Dorion, Director of Player Personnel:
Pierre enters his second season as the Senators Director of Player Personnel where in this role; he is responsible for overseeing both the amateur and the professional scouting staffs while also being in charge of player evaluation methods at all levels.
Five Year Draft Analysis (05-09):
The Sens opened the 05 draft by taking defender Brian Lee with the 9th overall pick. Lee has come along slowly and hasn’t displayed the offensive upside he did in high school but he has established himself as an NHL player and has a top-four upside if he continues to progress. Ilya Zubov showed flashes of promise but not enough to crack the big club and has moved back to Russia to play in the KHL.
In 2006, Ottawa selected Nick Foligno 28th overall and while he looks to have marginal upside he has rounded out into an NHL regular. Kaspars Daugavins I say has a slight chance to be an NHL’er but asides from that this wasn’t the best Draft for the Sens.
2007 saw the Sens only have four pick and they used their first rounder on Jim O’ Brien. I don’t see Jim as a future top-6 guy, but he has some tools that can project him in a smaller pro role. Louie Caporusso is a smaller guy but has some above-average tools and could be a sleeper prospect for the Sens down the line.
In 2008 Ottawa drafted several quality players in Erik Karlsson, Patrick Wiercioch, Zach Smith and Andre Petersson. Karlsson is a very talented scorer who should be a mainstay on the Ottawa powerplay for a good number of years. Wiercioch is a personal favorite of mine while Smith has transited very well to the professional game.
In 2009 Ottawa again had a top ten pick and selected the physically gifted Jared Cowen out of Spokane. He had knee troubles prior and he struggled with his knee a bit this year but looks to be rebounding from it. Jakob Silfverbeg and particularly Robin Lehner are the intriguing picks from that Draft class, as Lehner has displayed some qualities that project him a legit NHL goalie.
Organizational Overview:
The Sens system is unique in terms of its position placement in my top 10. They are loaded at the top in defense, Patrick Wierioch is a personal favorite of mine and Cowen was a top 10 selection from the 09 Draft, while Rundblad was St. Louis first rounder in 09 as well. Ottawa really lacks that one key forward prospect, which is why I was surprised by the Rundblad trade in L.A. with names like Tarasenko, Watson and Bjugstad on the board.
Ottawa does though have above-average depth forwards from a system perspective as they have some good players who have come up the college route like Grant, Butler, O’Brien and Caporusso. Robin Lehner right now is arguably one of the top up and coming goalies in the league as the physically blessed netminder continually finds ways to stop pucks. Despite all their great top defense prospects, I also am not a fan of their depth in terms of D after the three notables, although it’s not that big an issue as two of the three likely will be NHL regulars.
Top 10 Prospects:
Corey Pronman grades the the top 5 prospects on the 20-80 scale. To see an explanation of this grading system, please click here.
1.) Patrick Wiercioch, Defense
Report from Rich Michalowski:
Patrick Wiercioch has all the makings of an offensive defenseman. He’s a very smooth skater and moves the puck through the neutral zone with a nice, efficient stride. As he adds more bulk and power to his 6’4” frame he should be able to generate even more speed. Wiercioch has good offensive instincts and knows when to jump into the play as well as recognizing the open lanes. He handles the puck very well and is good at evading the first forechecker. He uses his body and long reach to protect the puck in all three zones when he has possession. Wiercioch shoots well and appears to know how to find the net. His best attribute appears to be his ability to see the developing play and quickly release an accurate pass to open teammates. He’s very calm at the point and is both creative and steady in surveying his options. Wiercioch is particularly strong at gathering loose pucks in the defensive and neutral zones and quickly transitioning the puck forward. He wastes little time in assessing the play and catching the opponent flat-footed. He makes these plays seemingly with little effort. Wiercioch defends through using his skating and footwork to gain good position on attacking forwards and maintaining gap control. He’s also able to recognize the play and step into the neutral zone to prevent passes from occurring. Wiercioch is not a physical player and is prone to being outmuscled in the corners and in front of the net. He should win more battles as he grows but does not appear to have a nasty edge to his game.
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Shot: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 55
2.) Jared Cowen, Defense
Report from Scott MacDougall:
At 6’5 and over 220 lbs, Cowen is a huge obstacle for opposing players to get around. Cowen was slow to recover from a knee injury suffered in his draft year and his skating has suffered as a result. Even though he has struggled to get healthy and has not been as mobile as he has been in the past, Cowen is still a force in his own end because of his good positioning and his ability to use his size to his advantage. Cowen has an excellent wingspan and is able to separate players from the puck by using either his stick or his body. While he was projected as primarily a physical shutdown defender, Cowen did seem to present some offensive upside back on draft day as he has a good shot and an ability to strip an opponent of the puck and quickly move it back up the ice. However, his offensive game has not progressed as well as once hoped. Though Cowen produced a respectable 8 goals and 22 assists for 30 points in 59 games with Spokane last year, more was expected from him in that regard. Cowen remains a high-end talent and the Senators will be hoping for a big season from him as he hopes to show everyone what he is capable of doing now that he is fully recovered and hopefully injury-free for an entire season.
Skating: 45
Puck Skills: 50
Shot: 50
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 55
Based on his sheer size and pedigree alone, most goalie scouts knew full well that Robin Lehner was going to have a solid rookie season in the Ontario Hockey League. But very few of them expected him to be as good as it was. All of a sudden, Lehner finds himself sitting pretty with a shot at playing behind Mike Brodeur in – you got it – the American Hockey League.
3.) David Rundblad, Defense
Report: Rundblad is a guy I’m not as high on as many others. His offensive skills are undeniable, as he has true plus puck skills and is a threat every time he gets the puck be it because of his rushing ability or distribution skills. His hands are very soft and he moves the puck around very well be it at a standstill or when moving in full flight. He can made moderate difficulty passes with consistency and when you couple that with a shot he can get through traffic well he makes for a great powerplay option. So why the hate on David? It’s because of the other aspects of his game. Despite a 6’2 200 frame, he is a below-average physical player and the strength aspect of the game doesn’t seem to be there as he is regularly outmuscled in the physical areas. His hockey sense is questionable too, and he struggles with decisions at times in all zones be it by trying to be too flashy or just poor positioning skills. It’s not just bad in one aspect, it’s a below-average hockey IQ that makes me skeptical of Rundblad overall.
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Shot: 50
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 40
4.) Robin Lehner, Goaltender
Report from The Goalie Guild/Justin Goldman:
What surprised me most about Lehner’s season was not his technique or puck-stopping prowess, but his ability to adjust so smoothly to playing on the smaller rink. A big chunk of his success in that regard comes straight from his father, Michael Lehner, who played a major role in his son’s development, mainly through his work with esteemed Swede Henrik Lundqvist. Although every goalie at the junior level has flaws in their technique, it was the brilliant mental toughness, size and durability that allowed him to have such a successful freshman campaign.
The result was a visible intimidating presence for the Greyhounds, as Lehner went 27-13-3 with five shutouts last season. Ranked #7 in the OHL by Goalies’ World, Lehner was a defensive leader all season long. He faced 34 shots per game and finishing the season with a .918 save percentage. At his age and experience, those impressive stats truly speak for themselves.
But regardless of how good Lehner was on paper, taking such a big step (from juniors to the AHL) so soon (less than one year) could have its consequences. Luckily for the Senators, however, they have the luxury of a training camp before they must choose between keeping him in the AHL, dropping him down to the ECHL, or sending him back to the OHL.
Internationally, Lehner performed well enough during the World Juniors intramural scrimmages in early-August to have the inside track on replacing Jacob Markstrom as the starter for Team Sweden in the 2011 Championships in Buffalo, NY. In his first game against USA, Lehner was lit up for four goals on six shots and was pulled just 4:05 into the game. But his mental toughness shone through in the next matchup, as he bounced back against Team USA with a strong 4-1 win a few days later.
So even though the Senators training camp will go a long way in determining his future within the Senators organization, his true test comes at the midway point, when Team USA and elite goalie prospect Jack Campbell tries to capture the Gold Medal in their own backyard. And it looks like Lehner will be playing a major role in Sweden’s hopes – on the biggest stage of his life.
The Goalie Guild Scouting Report
Has a tremendous frame for his age at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds … plays a technically sound wide butterfly style … intimidating presence in the crease … above average footwork allows him to stay relatively mobile while on his knees… can stretch legs from post to post with ease … will prepare for a shot with knees slightly apart in order to appear bigger… is extremely active in the crease, but falls prey to “happy feet” when scrambling … mimics Henrik Lundqvist with his elbow, arm and hand placement and positioning … loves to challenge shooters but results in his feet not always being set for shots … will need to work on displaying more patience, recovering quicker and more efficiently and overall rebound control … needs to improve flexibility with his hip and shoulder rotation … still prone to recovering with the incorrect leg … needs to improve his balance on fast-developing plays … extremely powerful legs is one of his most noticeable traits … very enthusiastic demeanor and attitude … solid glove hand but will have to get quicker at the professional level … does a decent job of looking around bodies because his legs stay positionally solid … will need to work on staying composed when traffic and screens are interfering with his view of the puck … a fierce competitor that has a visible set of emotions consistently on display … has a much more confident demeanor when he’s playing well … can maintain high energy level for an entire game with relative ease … will have to work very hard on plays in tight at the professional level due to the use of a truncated crease … has the mental traits to be a world-class winner
Reflexes: 45
Athleticism: 50
Hockey Sense: 55
Size: 60
Rebound Control: 40
5.) Andre Petersson, Right Wing
Report: Petersson is a guy who is going to be carried to the NHL, if he should ever make it by his pure offensive skills in his shot and mainly his puck skills. Anyone who watches Andre usually comes away raving about his hands and ability to create offense. His smaller stature helps him be a lot shiftier and when combined with his puck skills it makes for a guy who you don’t want to get an inch of space. He combines this with an above-average shot that can draw respect from opposing defenders. The other tools though lack which is why his NHL future is in question. Asides from his stature issue (I’ve seen him listed at 5’9 or 5’10) he isn’t an above-average skater which for a small forward is usually a quality you need to succeed at the NHL. His defensive game and to a degree overall decision-making do lack as well.
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Shot: 55
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 40
6.) Derek Grant, Center
Report: Grant is an off the radar prospect to likely every non-Sens fan who just had a terrific year adjusting to the college game. He doesn’t have any true plus tool, but several aspect of his game are at a pro-average level or above so to make him a desirable prospect. There isn’t flash in his skating or hands, but he can move with enough speed to be respected and can make the basic to moderate plays with the puck. He uses hi frame very well and shows above-average play around the net with the hand-eye to capitalize on a lot of high percentage plays, not to mention his big frame that allows his to gain position.
7.) Bobby Butler, Center
Report: Butler shows the tools to be able to score goals at the NHL level. He has a hustler’s stride, with quick, rapid movements that allow him to get to a desirable top speed quickly. He possesses an above-average shot, but he relies on using it from short to medium distances to accumulate his goals. He sees the ice very well and has the goal-scorer anticipation that helps him gain his opportunities. He can be physically pushed out of the crease area, and doesn’t have above-average hands to be a creator at the pro level.
8.) Jim O’Brien, Center
Report: Jim at this point in his development likely projects as a checker as his speed and intelligence tools will be enough to fill a sufficient defensive role at the NHL level. Jim can move rather quickly once he gets his legs moving in a straight line and it aids him in his transition game, but his overall mechanics hamper him from having above-average mobility. He thinks the game well and shows examples of hard work that a good defensive player needs to kill penalties. His wrist shot is solid-average, but no offensive tool really sticks out for Jim.
9.) Jakob Silfverberg, Left Wing
Report: Jakob is a smart player who uses his hockey sense to play an above-average defensive game. He sees the flow of the game well and usually finds a way to pressure the man with the puck oncoming or will fill lanes. Offensively he uses his body well and shows effort along the boards. He makes the basic plays with effectiveness, but lacks any sort of above-average offensive skill to make an observer think he could project as a top six in any manner.
10.) Louie Caporusso, Center
Report: Caporusso has been a pleasant surprise for the Wolverines as the undersized center has been able to display some above-average offensive abilities. His skating and puck skills are arguably 55 tools as Louie is a dangerous player when he leads the rush as he has the speed and hands to create space. He has a good first step and accelerates up the ice well. Caporusso doesn’t possess any sort of plus tool or a dynamic offensive skill set to really overcome his 5’9 stature, so it’s hard to project him a legit NHL scorer, but likely a depth player even though he does show the tenacity to play through his size issues.
Ottawa Senators System Overview:
Pierre Dorion, Director of Player Personnel:
Pierre enters his second season as the Senators Director of Player Personnel where in this role; he is responsible for overseeing both the amateur and the professional scouting staffs while also being in charge of player evaluation methods at all levels.
Five Year Draft Analysis (05-09):
The Sens opened the 05 draft by taking defender Brian Lee with the 9th overall pick. Lee has come along slowly and hasn’t displayed the offensive upside he did in high school but he has established himself as an NHL player and has a top-four upside if he continues to progress. Ilya Zubov showed flashes of promise but not enough to crack the big club and has moved back to Russia to play in the KHL.
In 2006, Ottawa selected Nick Foligno 28th overall and while he looks to have marginal upside he has rounded out into an NHL regular. Kaspars Daugavins I say has a slight chance to be an NHL’er but asides from that this wasn’t the best Draft for the Sens.
2007 saw the Sens only have four pick and they used their first rounder on Jim O’ Brien. I don’t see Jim as a future top-6 guy, but he has some tools that can project him in a smaller pro role. Louie Caporusso is a smaller guy but has some above-average tools and could be a sleeper prospect for the Sens down the line.
In 2008 Ottawa drafted several quality players in Erik Karlsson, Patrick Wiercioch, Zach Smith and Andre Petersson. Karlsson is a very talented scorer who should be a mainstay on the Ottawa powerplay for a good number of years. Wiercioch is a personal favorite of mine while Smith has transited very well to the professional game.
In 2009 Ottawa again had a top ten pick and selected the physically gifted Jared Cowen out of Spokane. He had knee troubles prior and he struggled with his knee a bit this year but looks to be rebounding from it. Jakob Silfverbeg and particularly Robin Lehner are the intriguing picks from that Draft class, as Lehner has displayed some qualities that project him a legit NHL goalie.
Organizational Overview:
The Sens system is unique in terms of its position placement in my top 10. They are loaded at the top in defense, Patrick Wierioch is a personal favorite of mine and Cowen was a top 10 selection from the 09 Draft, while Rundblad was St. Louis first rounder in 09 as well. Ottawa really lacks that one key forward prospect, which is why I was surprised by the Rundblad trade in L.A. with names like Tarasenko, Watson and Bjugstad on the board.
Ottawa does though have above-average depth forwards from a system perspective as they have some good players who have come up the college route like Grant, Butler, O’Brien and Caporusso. Robin Lehner right now is arguably one of the top up and coming goalies in the league as the physically blessed netminder continually finds ways to stop pucks. Despite all their great top defense prospects, I also am not a fan of their depth in terms of D after the three notables, although it’s not that big an issue as two of the three likely will be NHL regulars.
Top 10 Prospects:
Corey Pronman grades the the top 5 prospects on the 20-80 scale. To see an explanation of this grading system, please click here.
1.) Patrick Wiercioch, Defense
Report from Rich Michalowski:
Patrick Wiercioch has all the makings of an offensive defenseman. He’s a very smooth skater and moves the puck through the neutral zone with a nice, efficient stride. As he adds more bulk and power to his 6’4” frame he should be able to generate even more speed. Wiercioch has good offensive instincts and knows when to jump into the play as well as recognizing the open lanes. He handles the puck very well and is good at evading the first forechecker. He uses his body and long reach to protect the puck in all three zones when he has possession. Wiercioch shoots well and appears to know how to find the net. His best attribute appears to be his ability to see the developing play and quickly release an accurate pass to open teammates. He’s very calm at the point and is both creative and steady in surveying his options. Wiercioch is particularly strong at gathering loose pucks in the defensive and neutral zones and quickly transitioning the puck forward. He wastes little time in assessing the play and catching the opponent flat-footed. He makes these plays seemingly with little effort. Wiercioch defends through using his skating and footwork to gain good position on attacking forwards and maintaining gap control. He’s also able to recognize the play and step into the neutral zone to prevent passes from occurring. Wiercioch is not a physical player and is prone to being outmuscled in the corners and in front of the net. He should win more battles as he grows but does not appear to have a nasty edge to his game.
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Shot: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 55
2.) Jared Cowen, Defense
Report from Scott MacDougall:
At 6’5 and over 220 lbs, Cowen is a huge obstacle for opposing players to get around. Cowen was slow to recover from a knee injury suffered in his draft year and his skating has suffered as a result. Even though he has struggled to get healthy and has not been as mobile as he has been in the past, Cowen is still a force in his own end because of his good positioning and his ability to use his size to his advantage. Cowen has an excellent wingspan and is able to separate players from the puck by using either his stick or his body. While he was projected as primarily a physical shutdown defender, Cowen did seem to present some offensive upside back on draft day as he has a good shot and an ability to strip an opponent of the puck and quickly move it back up the ice. However, his offensive game has not progressed as well as once hoped. Though Cowen produced a respectable 8 goals and 22 assists for 30 points in 59 games with Spokane last year, more was expected from him in that regard. Cowen remains a high-end talent and the Senators will be hoping for a big season from him as he hopes to show everyone what he is capable of doing now that he is fully recovered and hopefully injury-free for an entire season.
Skating: 45
Puck Skills: 50
Shot: 50
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 55
Based on his sheer size and pedigree alone, most goalie scouts knew full well that Robin Lehner was going to have a solid rookie season in the Ontario Hockey League. But very few of them expected him to be as good as it was. All of a sudden, Lehner finds himself sitting pretty with a shot at playing behind Mike Brodeur in – you got it – the American Hockey League.
3.) David Rundblad, Defense
Report: Rundblad is a guy I’m not as high on as many others. His offensive skills are undeniable, as he has true plus puck skills and is a threat every time he gets the puck be it because of his rushing ability or distribution skills. His hands are very soft and he moves the puck around very well be it at a standstill or when moving in full flight. He can made moderate difficulty passes with consistency and when you couple that with a shot he can get through traffic well he makes for a great powerplay option. So why the hate on David? It’s because of the other aspects of his game. Despite a 6’2 200 frame, he is a below-average physical player and the strength aspect of the game doesn’t seem to be there as he is regularly outmuscled in the physical areas. His hockey sense is questionable too, and he struggles with decisions at times in all zones be it by trying to be too flashy or just poor positioning skills. It’s not just bad in one aspect, it’s a below-average hockey IQ that makes me skeptical of Rundblad overall.
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Shot: 50
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 40
4.) Robin Lehner, Goaltender
Report from The Goalie Guild/Justin Goldman:
What surprised me most about Lehner’s season was not his technique or puck-stopping prowess, but his ability to adjust so smoothly to playing on the smaller rink. A big chunk of his success in that regard comes straight from his father, Michael Lehner, who played a major role in his son’s development, mainly through his work with esteemed Swede Henrik Lundqvist. Although every goalie at the junior level has flaws in their technique, it was the brilliant mental toughness, size and durability that allowed him to have such a successful freshman campaign.
The result was a visible intimidating presence for the Greyhounds, as Lehner went 27-13-3 with five shutouts last season. Ranked #7 in the OHL by Goalies’ World, Lehner was a defensive leader all season long. He faced 34 shots per game and finishing the season with a .918 save percentage. At his age and experience, those impressive stats truly speak for themselves.
But regardless of how good Lehner was on paper, taking such a big step (from juniors to the AHL) so soon (less than one year) could have its consequences. Luckily for the Senators, however, they have the luxury of a training camp before they must choose between keeping him in the AHL, dropping him down to the ECHL, or sending him back to the OHL.
Internationally, Lehner performed well enough during the World Juniors intramural scrimmages in early-August to have the inside track on replacing Jacob Markstrom as the starter for Team Sweden in the 2011 Championships in Buffalo, NY. In his first game against USA, Lehner was lit up for four goals on six shots and was pulled just 4:05 into the game. But his mental toughness shone through in the next matchup, as he bounced back against Team USA with a strong 4-1 win a few days later.
So even though the Senators training camp will go a long way in determining his future within the Senators organization, his true test comes at the midway point, when Team USA and elite goalie prospect Jack Campbell tries to capture the Gold Medal in their own backyard. And it looks like Lehner will be playing a major role in Sweden’s hopes – on the biggest stage of his life.
The Goalie Guild Scouting Report
Has a tremendous frame for his age at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds … plays a technically sound wide butterfly style … intimidating presence in the crease … above average footwork allows him to stay relatively mobile while on his knees… can stretch legs from post to post with ease … will prepare for a shot with knees slightly apart in order to appear bigger… is extremely active in the crease, but falls prey to “happy feet” when scrambling … mimics Henrik Lundqvist with his elbow, arm and hand placement and positioning … loves to challenge shooters but results in his feet not always being set for shots … will need to work on displaying more patience, recovering quicker and more efficiently and overall rebound control … needs to improve flexibility with his hip and shoulder rotation … still prone to recovering with the incorrect leg … needs to improve his balance on fast-developing plays … extremely powerful legs is one of his most noticeable traits … very enthusiastic demeanor and attitude … solid glove hand but will have to get quicker at the professional level … does a decent job of looking around bodies because his legs stay positionally solid … will need to work on staying composed when traffic and screens are interfering with his view of the puck … a fierce competitor that has a visible set of emotions consistently on display … has a much more confident demeanor when he’s playing well … can maintain high energy level for an entire game with relative ease … will have to work very hard on plays in tight at the professional level due to the use of a truncated crease … has the mental traits to be a world-class winner
Reflexes: 45
Athleticism: 50
Hockey Sense: 55
Size: 60
Rebound Control: 40
5.) Andre Petersson, Right Wing
Report: Petersson is a guy who is going to be carried to the NHL, if he should ever make it by his pure offensive skills in his shot and mainly his puck skills. Anyone who watches Andre usually comes away raving about his hands and ability to create offense. His smaller stature helps him be a lot shiftier and when combined with his puck skills it makes for a guy who you don’t want to get an inch of space. He combines this with an above-average shot that can draw respect from opposing defenders. The other tools though lack which is why his NHL future is in question. Asides from his stature issue (I’ve seen him listed at 5’9 or 5’10) he isn’t an above-average skater which for a small forward is usually a quality you need to succeed at the NHL. His defensive game and to a degree overall decision-making do lack as well.
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Shot: 55
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 40
6.) Derek Grant, Center
Report: Grant is an off the radar prospect to likely every non-Sens fan who just had a terrific year adjusting to the college game. He doesn’t have any true plus tool, but several aspect of his game are at a pro-average level or above so to make him a desirable prospect. There isn’t flash in his skating or hands, but he can move with enough speed to be respected and can make the basic to moderate plays with the puck. He uses hi frame very well and shows above-average play around the net with the hand-eye to capitalize on a lot of high percentage plays, not to mention his big frame that allows his to gain position.
7.) Bobby Butler, Center
Report: Butler shows the tools to be able to score goals at the NHL level. He has a hustler’s stride, with quick, rapid movements that allow him to get to a desirable top speed quickly. He possesses an above-average shot, but he relies on using it from short to medium distances to accumulate his goals. He sees the ice very well and has the goal-scorer anticipation that helps him gain his opportunities. He can be physically pushed out of the crease area, and doesn’t have above-average hands to be a creator at the pro level.
8.) Jim O’Brien, Center
Report: Jim at this point in his development likely projects as a checker as his speed and intelligence tools will be enough to fill a sufficient defensive role at the NHL level. Jim can move rather quickly once he gets his legs moving in a straight line and it aids him in his transition game, but his overall mechanics hamper him from having above-average mobility. He thinks the game well and shows examples of hard work that a good defensive player needs to kill penalties. His wrist shot is solid-average, but no offensive tool really sticks out for Jim.
9.) Jakob Silfverberg, Left Wing
Report: Jakob is a smart player who uses his hockey sense to play an above-average defensive game. He sees the flow of the game well and usually finds a way to pressure the man with the puck oncoming or will fill lanes. Offensively he uses his body well and shows effort along the boards. He makes the basic plays with effectiveness, but lacks any sort of above-average offensive skill to make an observer think he could project as a top six in any manner.
10.) Louie Caporusso, Center
Report: Caporusso has been a pleasant surprise for the Wolverines as the undersized center has been able to display some above-average offensive abilities. His skating and puck skills are arguably 55 tools as Louie is a dangerous player when he leads the rush as he has the speed and hands to create space. He has a good first step and accelerates up the ice well. Caporusso doesn’t possess any sort of plus tool or a dynamic offensive skill set to really overcome his 5’9 stature, so it’s hard to project him a legit NHL scorer, but likely a depth player even though he does show the tenacity to play through his size issues.
