NHL Scouts Share What They Look For in Prospects

NHL scouts share what they look for when evaluating prospects for the draft.

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General Traits

When it comes to the National Hockey League, there are many different things that teams look for in their players. Obviously, they want players who are skilled and can help them win games, but there are also other important factors that scouts take into account. In this article, we’ll be discussing some of the general traits that NHL scouts look for in prospects.

Size and Strength

One of the most important things that scouts look for in prospects is size and strength. This is especially important for forwards, as they need to be able to withstand the physicality of the NHL. Even though the game has gotten faster in recent years, size is still an important factor when it comes to playing in the NHL.

players who are considered “ undersized “ often have a harder time making it to the NHL, and even if they do make it, they often don’t last very long. This is because they just can’t handle the physicality of the NHL and end up getting pushed around or injured.

However, there are some undersized players who have been able to overcome this obstacle and have had successful NHL careers. Players like Martin St. Louis and Mats Zuccarello have shown that size isn’t everything, and that heart and skill can also go a long way.

Skating Ability

skating is the most important trait for any player, regardless of position. “If you can’t skate in today’s NHL, you can’t play,” says one scout. “The game is too fast.” Even enforcers need to be able to keep up.

Top-end speed is great, but it’s not always necessary. What’s more important is a player’s ability to change speeds and directions quickly, and to do so while under control. Good edges are also a must — the better a player can turn, the more options he has on the ice.

Players also need to be able to stop and start quickly and smoothly. It seems like a small thing, but scouts say it makes a big difference in a player’s overall game. “You’d be surprised how many guys can’t do it,” one says.

Puck Skills

NHL scouts are always on the lookout for prospects with strong puck skills. These are the players who can control the puck and make things happen when they have it on their stick. If you can skate well and handle the puck even better, you’re likely to catch the eye of a scout.

Hockey Sense

A good hockey sense is something that can’t be taught. It’s an innate ability to read and react to the play on the ice. The best players in the world have a high hockey IQ and can anticipate where the puck is going before it happens. This allows them to make plays that other players can’t. If you have a good hockey sense, you’ll be one step ahead of the competition.

Specific Skills

“When we’re scouting a player, the first thing we’re looking for is skating,” says Al Murray, the Los Angeles Kings’ director of amateur scouting. “Can he get from Point A to Point B efficiently?”

Goalies

NHL scouts are always on the lookout for the next great goalie prospect. They keep a close eye on goalies playing at all levels, from youth hockey to junior to college and even overseas.

What exactly are they looking for in a goalie prospect? Here are five key things:

1. Athleticism: NHL goalies need to be extremely athletic. They need to have the agility to move side to side quickly, the strength to battle for position in front of the net, and the stamina to play a full 60 minutes (or more, if they’re relief goalies).

2. Quick reflexes: A big part of a goalie’s job is making quick decisions and reacting quickly to save the puck. This means they need to have quick reflexes and excellent hand-eye coordination.

3. Mental toughness: Playing goalie is one of the most mentally challenging positions in all of sports. Goalies need to be able to handle the pressure of being the last line of defense and make game-saving saves when their team needs them most. They also need to be able to shake off bad goals and move on quickly to the next play.

4. Technical skills: In addition to being athletic and quick-thinking, NHL goalies also need to have excellent technical skills. This includes being able to make precise saves with their glove hand, blocker, and stick; knowing when to come out of the net and challenge shooters; and being able handle the puck efficiently so they can make plays with it when necessary.

5. Good coaching: Even the most talented goalie prospect will need good coaching in order components 1-4 into their game if they want to succeed at the NHL level. That’s why scout also pay attention to how well a goalie is coached at their current level—it can be a good indicator of how successful they’ll be at higher levels

Defensemen

Viewed as the quarterbacks of hockey, defensemen play a critical role in dictating the flow and tempo of the game. They need to be able to think the game at a high level, make good decisions with the puck and be able to execute plays under pressure.

The biggest thing scouts look for in defenseman prospects is skating ability. In today’s game, defensemen need to be able to skate well both forwards and backwards in order to keep up with the speed and skill of forwards. They need to have good edgework and agility in order to make quick changes of direction and close gaps quickly.

In addition to skating, scouts also look for defensemen who have good hockey sense and can make smart decisions with the puck. They need to be able to read plays quickly and make good decisions under pressure. They also need to have good vision and be able pass the puck accurately.

Physicality is another important aspect for defensemen prospects. They need to be strong on their skates and have good balance in order to win battles along the boards and in front of the net. They also need to have good upper body strength in order to clear the crease and block shots.

Finally, scouts look for prospects who are coachable and have a good work ethic. Defensemen prospects who are willing to put in the extra work off the ice to improve their craft tend to be more successful at making it to the NHL level.

Forwards

NHL scouts are always on the lookout for talented forwards who can make an impact on the game. They look for players with good vision and hockey sense, as well as the ability to make plays in the offensive zone. They also want forwards who are responsible defensively and can backcheck and play a 200-foot game.

Here are some specific skills that NHL scouts look for in forwards:

-Skating: Forwards need to be able to skate well in order to keep up with the play and create space for themselves and their teammates. They need good edgework and agility to be able to make quick cuts and changes of direction, as well as good speed to separate themselves from defenders.

-Puck Skills: Forwards need to be able to handle the puck confidently and make plays under pressure. They need good stickhandling ability to protect the puck and keep it away from defenders, as well as good vision and passing ability to find teammates in open ice.

-Shooting: Forwards need a quick, accurate shot to score goals. They also need the ability to get their shots off quickly in order to beat goaltenders before they have a chance to set up their defense.

-Size and Strength: Forwards need to be big enough and strong enough to compete against grown men on a nightly basis. They need good size to win board battles and establish position in front of the net, as well as good strength and balance to fight through checks and maintain possession of the puck.

Work Ethic and Character

When it comes to the NHL, scouting is vital. Without proper scouting, it would be close to impossible to find the best talent in the world. There are many different things that NHL scouts look for when they are assessing players, but two of the most important factors are work ethic and character.

Being a Good Teammate

In order to succeed at the NHL level, it takes more than just raw talent and skill. Players also need to have good work ethic and be good teammates.

NHL scouts are always keep an eye out for players who display these qualities. Players who work hard on and off the ice, and who are good leaders and role models for their teammates, are the ones who tend to make it to the NHL level.

So if you’re hoping to one day play in the NHL, make sure you’re not just focus on improving your individual skills. Be sure to also work on being a good teammate.

Being coachable

One of the biggest traits that scouts look for in young players is coachability. Though a player may have all the skill in the world, it means nothing if they can’t take direction and learn from their coaches. Scouts want to see players who are willing to put in the work to improve their game and who are open to constructive criticism.

A good way to gauge a player’s coachability is to talk to their former coaches and see what they have to say. If a coach is hesitant to speak highly of a player’s character or work ethic, that’s usually a red flag. Another telltale sign of a coachable player is one who takes (and learns from) negative feedback well, instead of getting defensive or letting their emotions get the better of them.

In the end, being coachable is all about having the right attitude and willingness to learn. Even the most talented players need guidance and direction, so it’s important that they are open to hearing what their coaches have to say.

Having a positive attitude

One of the most important things that scouts look for in prospects is a positive attitude. This includes being coachable, having a willingness to learn, and being a good teammate. A positive attitude also means having a good work ethic and beingsomeone who is constantly trying to improve.

Some of the best players in the NHL are not always the most talented, but they are the ones who work hardest and always try to get better. These players understand that it takes more than just natural ability to be successful at the highest level. They are also usually the ones who are leaders on and off the ice, and these are the kinds of players that teams want to build around.