Scouting Report: Leon Draisaitl, Prince Albert (WHL)

Central Scouting Rank: 4th

Bio

Stats

Overview

Draisaitl is a heavy, two-way center who has produced points at an impressive rate while logging first-line minutes for the Prince Albert Raiders. Draisaitl finished fourth in the WHL in scoring as a first-time draft-eligible skater, was 14th in the league in goals per game (and third among first time draft eligible skaters, behind only Jake Virtanen and Sam Reinhart), and was third in assists per game - behind only Nicolas Petan and Reinhart.

For all of Draisaitl's offensive acumen, and his production is very impressive, it's his size and two-way ability that has scouts drooling. Draisaitl has an ability to leverage his size when protecting the puck on offense and similarly to separate opponents from the puck on defense, traits that NHL clubs traditionally prize. 

Draisaitl is expected to be a top-five pick at the 2014 draft, although he has slipped in the Central Scouting rankings since midseason. With a handful of skilled European players showing very well at the U18 tournament in recent months, he could fall late into the top-10. 

So long as he's selected eighth or higher, he'll edge Detlef Schrempf to become the highest selected German player in any major North American professional sport in the modern era (the Bruins selected Orest Romashyna at No. 3 overall in 1963).

* Note: the list excludes NHL forward Dany Heatley and former NBA center Shawn Bradley - both second overall draft picks who were German-born but were reared in North America and aren't really German internationals (though Bradley represented Deutschland in international competition).

He'd make a lot of sense for an Edmonton Oilers club that is long on one-dimensional skill, but short on the sort of solid two-way type that Draisaitl has the potential to develop into.

Pro Comparison

Ryan O'Reilly

Scouts are saying

"You want to talk about a miniature Jaromir Jagr with a Doug Gilmour-type intensity, you've got him right here," - Central Scouting's Peter Sullivan.

"Leon is a big centre who is smart, can make plays and can impact the game in multiple ways. He's the type of centre who is coveted by many NHL clubs because of his combination of size and skill." - TSN's Craig Button.

"Draisaitl is a great passer who can beat defenders with skill, puck protection, determination or his shot. I've heard some scouts suggest him as a top-3 pick, but I'd like to see him get quicker before I put him in that range." - ESPN's Corey Pronman.

Highlights