William Carrier | LW
Martins Dzierkals | LW
Marcus Kallionkieli | LW
Max Pacioretty
ON-ICE VALUE
Top-Six Forward
STRENGTHS
Shot: Pacioretty has ranked among the NHL’s better scorers over the past decade. He has a deadly release in stride and has become much more effective as a one-timer threat since his arrival in Vegas. He will make you pay for any time and space you afford him.
Skating: He’s a deceptively fast skater. His wheels make him a terror on the rush and help him slice through the neutral zone to get his shot off from either wing. He’s much more dangerous before the defense can settle in, and his strong skating allows him to take advantage of any breathing room he can find.
Size: Though he’s hardly a physical player, there are still benefits to boasting a 6’2”, 215-pound frame. It’s tough for defenders to reach around him and poke the puck off his stick, whereas he’s fairly effective on the backcheck due to that length. Combined with his speed, his size is a great asset.
WEAKNESSES
Passive: Many nights, he waits for the chances to come to him instead of looking to generate them himself. He rarely grabs the bull by the horns and takes over a contest. This heavy dependency on others’ hard work limits his and his line’s offensive impact.
Defense: He may carry a solid defensive reputation, but he’s quite inconsistent in his end. Even with his skating and size, he often loses inside position or his angle on point men. While he’s a willing shot-blocker and reasonably hard worker, he lacks defensive focus.
