The Pittsburgh Penguins may select Andrew Cristall, an overly talented forward, in the 2023 NHL Draft.

As the 2023 NHL Draft gets closer, the likelihood that the Penguins keep their first round pick continues to be debated. Yet, the Penguins' scouting department is rolling on with evaluating the incoming draft class and so is the Inside the Penguins' crew. Up next on our draft profiles is the uber-skilled forward, Andrew Cristall. 

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Essentials:

2022-23 Team: Kelowna (WHL)

Position: Winger

Height and Weight: 5’9, 165 pounds

Shoots: Left

NHL Central Scouting: 16th (among North American skaters)

Elite Prospects: 8th

The Hockey News: 6th

2022-23 Stats: 54 GP, 39 G, 56 A, 95 P

Player Breakdown:

One player that should be receiving much higher praise is Cristall. Second only to Connor Bedard in points per game in the CHL this past season, Cristall is one of the most gifted scorers available in the 2023 draft. He sees the ice in a way that most players in this class cannot. You will consistently hear his name in the same sentence as “hockey IQ,” because his on-ice vision is second to none.

Cristall’s offensive game will catch your eye every time he steps on the ice. There is very little about his style that doesn’t translate smoothly to the NHL. His shot is deceptively powerful for his size, evidenced by his 39 goal season. He can be a playmaker when called for as well, and his extreme intelligence helps him see a play develop before it happens.

He is also a quality skater. Cristall displays impressive edge work on his skates when carrying the puck and also uses his legs to help recover in the defensive end. He’s a very determined player in all areas of the ice.

What Needs to Improve:

There’s no denying that Cristall is undersized and organizations may shy away from him because of it. He has a tendency to be outmuscled by defenders and there were several examples this past season of him being literally pushed off the puck. Listed at 165 and most likely weighing even less, Cristall needs to bulk up significantly to handle the rigor of the NHL. This should also help with his straight ahead speed, which also needs improvement. His offensive game is so impressive, it feels worth the wait for the rest of his game to catch up.

NHL Player Comparison: Jake Guentzel

NHL ETA: 2026-27

On the conservative end, he could be a long-term project. On the optimistic side, he could break through much quicker due to his wit and playmaking, provided he also adds about 15-20 pounds over the next couple seasons. With the right franchise, Cristall will have the chance to break free of the defensive inadequacies scouts are noticing and bulk up for the physicality of the professional level. He’s certainly worth the risk with the incredible amount of offensive skill he possesses.

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