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Teddy Blueger | C
Dakota Joshua | C
Sam Lafferty | C
Elias Lindholm | C
Elias Pettersson
ON-ICE VALUE
First-Line Center
STRENGTHS
Dual Threat: Pettersson is a clever, unpredictable and immensely gifted offensive weapon. He consistently picks corners with his wrist shot and one-timer, but he’s just as likely to feather a pass to a teammate for a glorious scoring opportunity. With his vision and touch, he will dissect your defense if you give him any time.
Skating: He’s also a deceptively quick skater. Though his technique sometimes looks a bit clumsy, he has no trouble leaving defenders in the dust in the neutral zone. His wheels and puck skills make him quite dangerous on the rush. They also allow him to get back quickly on defense.
Hockey Sense: The young star just knows where to be on the ice. He can find quiet spots in coverage and knows how to draw defenders toward him in order to create for his teammates. His anticipation helps out in his end too, as he maintains inside position and denies passing lanes well.
WEAKNESSES
Strength: At 6’2”, Pettersson weighs just 176 pounds. It’s no small wonder that he frequently misses time due to injuries. His lack of pro strength is never more evident than along the boards, where he gets manhandled by grown men. Adding 10-15 pounds of mass would benefit him greatly.
Puck Management: While he processes the game incredibly well, he does occasionally attempt low-percentage passes. Perhaps his weaker frame forces him to rush his decisions in high-traffic areas. Regardless, he should show more restraint and settle for the simpler play at times.
