Landon DuPont's First Month Report Card

Projected first-overall pick Landon DuPont was forced to answer many questions this month on the ice about his draft status and whether he’s truly the player many say he is. With about a month under his belt in college hockey, let’s look at how the freshman’s first month went and give him a report card to start the year. 

Although the point totals don’t jump off the page, with six points in six games, DuPont has done everything that is expected of him and has truly brought so much value to Michigan to start the season. 

The things that made him elite in the WHL still stand in the NCAA, although he has dialled back his pace a little bit, which is fine, considering he’s playing a much tighter game overall. 

His offensive abilities aren’t just in the offensive zone; he’s done a great job as a transporter in all three zones. In the defensive zone, Michigan likes to send their wingers up the ice, and DuPont has shown some elite stretch-pass ability. He also hasn’t shown much panic when being pressured in his own zone. 

At times, he can be a one-man entry where he creates space for his team and allows them to get into spots where he can make a play for them. 

He’s still shown the aggression and motor from the WHL, but now he’s going against bigger players, and that has been noticeable. 

His shot has also opened a new element for Michigan, where even if he’s not scoring, goalies have a tough time trying to contain his shots, leading to big rebounds.

An A- still gives him room to improve; if he’s able to take over games offensively and start dominating the box score, this can easily become an A+ simply due to how great he’s been in every area of the game.