One of the top American prospects in the draft should be on the Pittsburgh Penguins' radar.
The Pittsburgh Penguins may dip into the United States National Team Development Program at the 2023 NHL Draft. With four top 20 prospects in the program, the Pens may find some top-end talent waiting at number 14. Inside The Penguins' next draft profile takes a look at Oliver Moore.
Essentials
2022-23 Team: United States National Team Development Program
Position: C, Winger
Height and Weight: 5’11, 176 pounds
NHL Central Scouting Rank: 6 (amongst North American skaters)
Elite Prospects Rank: 6 (March, 2023)
Shoots: Left
2022-23 Stats: 61 GP, 31 G, 44 A, 75 P
Player Breakdown
The United States Development Program is continuing to churn out talented players recently, and Moore is the fourth forward from their current team that figures to be selected in the first round. Moore was the second line center and saw a slightly reduced role behind projected top-five pick, Will Smith, but that didn’t stop Moore from turning heads, literally.
Moore is far and away the best skater available in this draft. His speed and edge work are NHL-ready right now, as he consistently out skated and maneuvered opposing defenders. He doesn’t blow you away with his shot or playmaking, but his speed and agility repeatedly help him create scoring chances for himself and teammates. He also possesses all of the tools to improve in both of those departments.
Moore’s defensively responsible, and has a knack of picking pucks from opponents as they enter the defensive zone. He again uses his speed to his advantage in the defensive zone and can quickly retrieve pucks and wind up for a breakout attempt. If he can use his speed to more effectively attack in the defensive zone, he will be a real nuisance to play against.
What Needs To Improve
The big thing that Moore needs to improve is his patience. Being such a high flyer on the ice, he can skate himself into trouble with the puck. As he won’t always be able to rely on his straight away speed at the NHL level, he’ll need to pick his spots better to fully utilize his explosiveness. He’s committed to the University of Minnesota, and a season in the NCAA will do him an immense amount of good. Despite the rawness, his stock has risen over the last few months. With all of the growing buzz around him, it wouldn’t be a shock for Moore to slingshot into the top-10 on draft day.
NHL Player Comparison Clayton Keller
NHL ETA: 2025-26
While incredibly promising, there is reason to believe Moore needs a couple seasons of developing at the NCAA and most likely the AHL levels. He’s so gifted, teams may fast track him, but they should remain patient. With the proper assistance and growth in his game, Moore could be a perennial all-star, but teams must not rush him.
Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more!
- Subscribe to Inside the Penguins on YouTube
- Follow Inside the Penguins on Twitter: @InsidePenguins