The Canadiens pick 25th, took Ryan Poehling ranked 26th by McKeen's. Here is a look at our Draft Guide write up and a detailed scouting report from Ryan Wagman
McKeen's 2017 NHL Draft Guide
After Charlie McAvoy, Luke Kunin and Tage Thompson were first rounders as true freshmen last year, and Noah Hanifin and Zach Werenski were both top ten picks in 2015, the 2017 draft should only see one NCAA-experienced player selected on day one in St. Cloud State pivot Ryan Poehling.
Poehling, whose older twin brothers were his teammates last season with the Huskies has had a very interesting run-up to his career. Before this season, playing mostly in the Minnesota high school ranks, he was dominant. Only 16-years old, he put up 54 points in 25 games. A late season cameo with Lincoln of the USHL was promising, with four points in nine games. Instead of spending a full season there, he then went straight to the NCAA before turning 18 and played in mostly a depth role for an average SCS squad. Partially through opportunity and partially through lack of readiness, his freshman numbers were lackluster.
Despite his clear struggles against the often much older competition in the collegiate ranks, there are signs that Poehling can be a special player. Most notably, his game is incredibly mature. He plays a smart game, avoiding unnecessary risks. His vision in the offensive zone is tantalizing. When he gets the puck, he generally keeps it on his stick for only the briefest of moments. In those split seconds, he is processing where to send the puck and then executing on a tricky pass to a better positioned teammate.
Although his shot looks promising, with a tricky release, he very rarely uses it. At least, he rarely used it in college. Once he got to the year-end WU18 tournament, he nearly doubled his shot rate playing with his peers. If he takes that willingness to shoot into his sophomore season, his offensive production should also jump.
He is a solid skater who is more impressive in his first few steps or accelerating into a turn than he is over distance. A center with high end hockey IQ and seemingly untapped offensive potential and already playing against advanced competition is always worth taking a chance with on day one. Projecting safely as a future middle six center in the NHL, he should be drafted in the 22-30 range.
Detailed scouting report from Ryan Wagman, February 14th, 2017
Skating: Ryan Poehling plays with plus pace. He is constantly moving and when he skates with intent, it is always at an impressive velocity. He turns into his acceleration. In other words, when he is drifting around and spots something to do, he curls into action, accelerating into his turns. Those first few steps are very sudden and apt to catch an opponent unaware and get them on their heels. When he has room to gain steam, his straight-ahead speed is also very impressive. He will win more than his share of loose puck races. Grade: 60
Shot: I don’t want to say that Poehling has a bad shot. He has a shot that is kept in reserve. In other words, he rarely shoots the puck. Through 29 games at the NCAA level, he has recorded a mere 33 shots on net, including tips and deflections. To his credit, seven goals on 33 shots is pretty good, if unsustainable. Part of his lack of recorded shots is his style of play, which I will delve deeper into in the next paragraph. For now, it is fair to say that he looks to pass first. Grade: 50
Skills: Poehling is not a flashy player by any means. He plays a safe game, minimizing risks with the puck. He has plus vision in the offensive zone and an hit a teammate with a sharp, clever pass with very little time to set it up. When he gets the puck, he looks to get rid of it ASAP, often within two-three touches. He has good hand-eye coordination. He does not attempt many fancy puck handling moves, leaving those to frequent linemate and LA Kings draftee Mikey Eyssimont, but he can carry the puck well when he feels tat he is the best option for his team to gain the offensive zone. This grade is mostly a reflection of his playmaking chops. Grade: 55
Smarts: As a true freshman, Poehling, whose older twin brothers are also Huskies, plays a very mature, safe and smart game. He is responsible and give s a solid effort in all three zones, backchecking and forechecking with equal vigor. He has a high enough IQ to be able to contribute in all manpower situations. As discussed above, he also has plus vision. Grade: 60
Physicality: Poehling has a solid frame, with room for additional growth. I would be surprised if he was not topping 200 pounds by the time he turns pro. He does not try to physically impose himself on opponents, but he is also not one to be cowed. He spends a lot of his time playing along the boards or in the corners, showing no fear of being hit. This is another area where I anticipate more robustness with age and experience in the NCAA and beyond. Grade: 50
Summary: In most years, Poehling’s lack of offensive output would be a big red flag on his prospect-status. We like to see our forwards scoring, no matter the level where they are playing. The fact that he is among the youngest players in the NCAA mitigates this concern only slightly. As discussed above, his abject lack of shots on net is playing a big role in his lack of scoring, although the paucity of assists also says something. I am told that he has lined up alongside his brothers for large stretches of the season on a depth line for St. Cloud State. Neither brother has anywhere near Ryan’s inherent talent, so it seems likely that he is being dragged down by his linemates. While his production should improve with time, experience and linemates who are able to capitalize on his playmaking chops, the 200 foot game that he is already showing is already enough for him to be a useful player. His speed and hockey IQ will allow him to keep up with the increased pace in the professional game. I would not take him as a top ten pick in June, but somewhere between 15-25 is a safe landing spot for Poehling. Whichever team drafts him should be fairly certain that they are getting a future middle six center with some potential upside.