Liam Greentree: NHL Draft Profile

Liam Greentree has been at the top of the conversation of draft eligible forwards in the OHL, and for good reason.

Windsor Spitfires winger Liam Greentree has been at the top of conversation among NHL Draft eligible forwards in the Ontario Hockey League, in a somewhat weaker draft class for forwards.

His projectability to the professional level is what makes Greentree appealing to NHL teams. He has the size, the skating, and the hockey IQ — to put it into broad terms.

Greentree thinks the game quick and he's incredibly difficult to knock off the puck. He's able to drive the puck offensively and he leads with his hands. His hands help him manipulate opponents and find open space in the attacking zone. 

Greentree reads the game quick and plays with high anticipation, but he is patient with the puck when he needs to be in the offensive zone.

He possesses a wide offensive skill set. Greentree can create off the pass, or do it himself and deke out three players before scoring. He can attack down the wing and quickly get it to the net, or cut through the middle and wait out the defence. 

Greentree shows good patience in the offensive zone, he doesn't mind taking the puck back and re-assessing the play when he doesn't have a lane. He always wants the puck on his stick and he oozes confidence. 

He's also a quick enough skater for his size at 6-foot-2, and he's strong on his feet.

Greentree doesn't have many flaws in his game, and that's what makes him special in this draft class. One of his only flaws is that he can tend to force plays and passes through the neutral zone at times.

He currently has 44 points in just 30 games with the Spitfires this season, and he is on pace for just under 100 points this season. 

Putting up these types of numbers on a weaker team with little help says a lot about Greentree's game.

Greentree is a player that we could see begin his professional career in the bottom-six, but still make an impact. His energy and confident game can be used throughout the lineup.

Seeing Greentree playing with better players at the CHL Top Prospects Game will be a big test for him. Can he stand out amongst the CHL's top draft eligible forwards? Or does he fill more of a supporting role?

Nonetheless, all of Windsor's offence has gone through the hands of Liam Greentree, and he has scored at clutch moments this season.

Greentree will play in the CHL Top Prospects Game on January 24th, 2024. He is one of eighteen OHLers playing in the game.

On public draft boards, Greentree has been ranked anywhere from the end of the first round to the beginning of the third. In a weaker class for forwards, Greentree ranks among the top players.