NHL Draft season is underway, and what better time to take a sneak-peak into some of the best the QMJHL have to offer who might hear their name called next weekend.
RW Justin Poirier - Baie-Comeau Drakkar
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_diWWpOBjNw[/embed]
VIDEO: Poirier's 50 goal season
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Justin Poirier has accomplished a feat this season that is nearly unimaginable for a draft eligible player in the QMJHL. Poirier was able to score 51 goals, a total that leads the entire league. All the more impressive is that he did so despite being one of the youngest players in the draft, born 11 days before the cutoff date. He would also add 31 assists for a total of 82 points across 68 games. So why isn't Poirier getting talked about more? To keep it short, he's only 5-foot-8 and NHL scouts tend to criticize players with smaller statures more. So while his skating would be permissible for a player that's a few inches taller, it's more of a red flag for prospective teams for Poirier. That said, there's reason to believe that he could grow some more as he's a young 2006 and his brother -- Jeremie of the Calgary Flames and previously the Saint John Sea Dogs -- is 6-foot-1. Furthermore, while his 51 goal is mightily impressive, there's been concern that his volume shooting to achieve the record might have fed into bad habits such as looking off teammates. That said, Poirier's shot is the real deal. He's not a one-dimensional shooter by any means as he can beat goaltenders, whether it's with his accurate wrister or a powerful one timer from the faceoff dot. While Poirier might not have the height, he's compact and is more than willing to throw his weight around and be a physical presence. Despite his overcommitment to his shot at times, an underrated quality with Poirier is his three zone game. He was able to move the puck up the ice and help with breakouts, and further he helped support his defensemen with retrievals. With many shorter players like Alex Debrincat, Cole Caufield and Logan Stankoven getting slighted at the draft and turning into studs at the next level, will NHL teams finally learn their lesson?
LW Alexandre Blais - Rimouski Océanic
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeqRnNjdfX0[/embed]
VIDEO: Alexandre Blais hat trick game
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Much like Poirier, Alexandre Blais is another guy whose production doesn't match where he is ranked. Blais' 84 points -- split between 24 goals and 60 assists -- leads all first-time eligibles in the Q. Blais led Rimouski in points and assists by a margin 21 each. Opposite to Poirier, Blais is a pass-first player and only tends to use his shot for one-timers off the rush or if there's nothing else there. He's got a strong motor, loads of offensive skill, the hockey sense to make smart plays that other players may not see, but he does tend to try "junior" plays that would either be a highlight reel in the NHL or more realistically wouldn't work at the next level. He also is a force transitionally, effectively bringing pucks into the offensive zone. The big concern is his size, especially his weight. If he is to get to the NHL he will need to bulk up in order to stay responsible defensively, but also to not get knocked off the puck as easily by more physically mature players.
C Gabe Smith - Moncton Wildcats
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOZUF6UaJk4[/embed]
VIDEO: Gabe Smith's 2 goal game vs Rimouski
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Gabe Smith is a tough customer. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing in 208 pounds, physically he is a man amongst boys and he sure plays like it. If anyone was being held back by the QMJHL's ban on fighting, it would probably be Smith. Offensively, it's very meat and potatoes, usually working in front of the net for grease or using his size to screen goalies. His point totals reflect his role with 23 points across 54 games, but offense is more of an afterthought with Smith's playstyle. For teams looking for spit and snarl in the draft, Smith is your guy.
LW Benjamin Brunelle - Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udm-P1Iacgw[/embed]
VIDEO: Benjamin Brunelle's 3 point game vs Shawinigan
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Benjamin Brunelle is a draft re-entry to keep track of. He plays a physical and grinding game, using his superior strength and size to win puck battles. Brunelle has a decent motor and forechecks hard. His release took a step forward this year helping him hit 20 goals alongside his 22 assists for 42 points in 67 games, despite playing mostly third line minutes. An uptick in minutes next year could see his production jump, and when combined with a pro-ready forechecking game, Brunelle may be an option for NHL teams looking for checkers.
The first round of the NHL draft will be airing June 28th, 2024 at 7:00 PM EST, and the following rounds throughout June 29th. Be sure to check out The Hockey News' QMJHL site on the 28th and 29th for live coverage of the draft!