Top Draft Prospects: Pierre-Luc Dubois
With the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft just two days away, we look at the top prospects available Friday night. Previously we took a look at Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, Jesse Puljujarvi and Matthew Tkachuk; today we’ll look a little closer at Cape Breton Screaming Eagle Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Bio
Position: Center
Birthdate: June 24, 1998
Hometown: Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 205 lbs
2015-16
After scoring 45 points in 56 games as a 16-year old in his first season in the QMJHL, Dubois turned up the offense this year as he continued to grow into his large frame. His 99 points in 2015-16 placed him third in the league, trailing only 20-year old over-agers in Conor Garland and Francis Perron (128 and 108 points respectively) and easily topped Red Wings’ first-round pick Evgeny Svechnikov and the rest of the Screaming Eagles.
The Eagles would go down in the second round of the playoffs, but it wasn’t because of Dubois, as the big center put up 12 points in 12 games despite being suspended for the first round opener after a illegal check late in the season.
Dubois didn’t see any international competition this season, as he was cut from World Junior Championship roster along with fellow top prospect Jakob Chychrun. Perhaps he used it as motivation for the massive season he put up thereafter.
Statistics
Cape Breton: 62 GP, 42 goals, 57 assists, 99 points, 112 PIM, +40 rating
Playoffs: 12 GP, 7 goals, 5 assists, 12 points, 14 PIM, +3 rating
Scouting Report
Seen by many as the second best center available this year (behind Matthews), Dubois provides an excellent power option down the middle. With a combination of strength and skill, he’s an exceptional scoring threat with the puck on his stick as he heads into the zone, or along the boards down low. While his shot isn’t as highly regarded as Laine’s, he gets it off very quickly and with a lot of accuracy, especially in tight.
His skating, while not as developed as Matthews’, is actually a strength as he uses his long stride and powerful lower half to move quickly around the ice. He often catches defenders off-guard with his top gear, despite lacking an elite first few steps.
In the defensive end, Dubois isn’t afraid to use his size to remove attackers from the puck, laying thunderous checks that sometimes toe the line of legality. After the whistle, he’s often involved in scrums because of his style of play, though he has recognized his value to the team and learned to keep his cool. A smart player, he’s usually in a good position defensively, and should be able to handle that part of the game at the next level.
While his offense is driven by a power game similar to Stars’ forward Jamie Benn (who, incidentally, he models his play after), he lacks elite-level creativity and may be limited by it at the NHL level. If he can continue to grow into his frame, and improve his acceleration and defensive game he may eventually become a number 1 center in the NHL, but there is some doubt he’ll stay in the middle long-term. At the very worst, he becomes a big winger with some finishing ability and a lot of nastiness.
Projected Future Role
Top-six power center/front line power winger.
NHL Timeline
Dubois isn’t set to turn 18 until the day of the draft, and because of it isn’t eligible for the AHL until 2018-19. Even with his advanced size and strength, he’s almost a lock to head back to the Screaming Eagles for at least one more season. Look for him to challenge for the CHL scoring title before entering the NHL as a 19-year old in 2017-18.
Top Draft Prospects: Jesse Puljujärvi
The NHL draft is now less than a week away with the first round set for this Friday. Over the next several days, we will be taking a closer look at the prospects who will hear their name called early on Friday night.
We’ve already published the profiles on Auston Matthews (link) and Patrik Laine (link), so let’s take a look at the expected #3 pick, Jesse Puljujärvi.
Bio
Position: Right Wing
Birthdate: May 7, 1998
Hometown: Älvkarleby, Sweden
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 200 lbs
2015-16
Puljujärvi suited up for his second season in the Finnish Elite league, and showed he belonged, helping Karpat to a second place finish and putting up 28 points as a 17-year old. As Karpat hit the playoffs, Puljujärvi was actually still recovering from an injury but upon his return he seemed to hit his stride, putting up 9 points (4-5) in just 10 games before eventually losing to Laine’s Tappara Tampere squad in seven games.
Puljujärvi led all players at the World Junior Championships with 17 points in just 7 games on the winning Finnish squad. Not only did he take home the tournament’s top forward award (beating out Laine and Matthews in the vote) he was crowed the tournament MVP as well.
Statistics
Karpat: 50 GP, 13 goals, 15 assists, 28 points, 22 PIMS, +5 rating
Playoffs: 10 GP, 4 goals, 5 assists, 10 points, 2 PIM
WJC: 7 GP, 5 goals, 12 assists, 0 PIM, +8 rating
Scouting Report
Puljujärvi has been reported as one of the best skaters in the draft, despite his 6’3″ frame. His long stride and efficient motion lets him get around with ease, and allows him to get into prime offensive positions. While he’s known as a scoring winger, his two-way game is advanced for such a young player and is ahead of Laine on the defensive end.
His offensive game comes not only from an above average shot, but his playmaking abilities with the puck on his stick. Many scouts think this is the attribute most likely to set Puljujärvi apart in the NHL, allowing him to ride shotgun with an elite goal scoring talent, while covering up some defensive liabilities. His elite skating ability allows him to get back quickly and he almost never coasts when chasing an opponent, using his long wingspan to take pucks away.
If there is one complaint about Puljujärvi it’s that he doesn’t use his large frame to throw enough body checks. While using it as a leverage tool down low, he sometimes shies away from the physical side of the game. If he continues to learn how to use his size he may eventually develop that edge, but it’s unlikely he’ll ever be a dominant physical presence.
Projected Future Role
Top six, two-way winger with elite playmaking ability.
NHL Timeline
After establishing himself against Men in the Finnish Elite League the past two years, Puljujärvi will be heading directly into the NHL next season. He may start on a lower line, due to his ability to contribute defensively but will crack the top six before long. Knee surgery has limited his ability to take part in camps this summer, but he should be ready for the start of the regular season.
Top Draft Prospects: Patrik Laine
The NHL draft is now less than a week away with the first round set for this Friday. Over the next several days, we will be taking a closer look at the prospects who will hear their name called early on Friday night.
Next up is potentially the top goal scoring threat in the draft, Patrik Laine.
Bio
Position: Right Wing
Birthdate: April 19, 1998
Hometown: Tampere, Finland
Height: 6’3.75”
Weight: 201 lbs
2015-16
Laine was one of the go-to scorers on a deep Tappara team during the regular season (17 goals in 46 games); his 33 points was good for 37th overall in league scoring – no small feat for a 17 year old. He then found another gear in the postseason, adding ten more goals in 15 games to lead all postseason players in scoring, earning himself MVP honors in the process.
Laine suited up at the World Juniors where he finished third in tournament scoring (behind teammates Jesse Puljujarvi and Sebastian Aho), notching 13 points in just seven games. On top of that, he also represented Finland at the World Championships where he led the team in scoring (12 points in 10 games) and made it to the tournament All-Star team.
Statistics
Tappara: 46 GP, 17 goals, 16 assists, 33 points, 6 PIMS, +6 rating
WJC’s: 7 GP, 7 goals, 6 assists, 13 points, 6 PIMS, +8 rating
Worlds: 10 GP, 7 goals, 5 assists, 12 points, 4 PIMS, 4 rating
Scouting Report
Laine is the best pure goal scorer in the draft. He has a bullet for a slap shot, a lethal one-timer, and a quick, accurate wrister. That type of shooting versatility will give NHL goalies fits for a long time. On top of that, he’s a quality skater whose stride when in motion allows him to beat his defenders to the wide side. His first stride needs some work but improved during the season.
Overall offensively, Laine is more of a scorer than a playmaker but he’s comfortable with the puck on his stick and has a good feel for passing. He has a tendency to get a little too cute in terms of his stickhandling and will slow down his stride to do so but those are correctable as he continues to develop.
Defensively, Laine isn’t a liability as he’s comfortable battling around the boards, knows how to play the passing lanes, and will lay out to block shots. He improved considerably in his own end this past year and should continue to improve as he gets more comfortable with the physical side of the game as he learns to deal with bigger, stronger opponents.
Projected Future Role
Top line scoring winger.
NHL Timeline
Laine is capable of stepping into an NHL lineup as soon as next season and should play in a top six role right away. He should contend for the league lead in rookie scoring in 2016-17.