Scouting Report: Haydn Fleury, D, Reed Deer (WHL)

Central Scouting Rank: 9th

Bio

Stats

Overview

Haydn Fleury is a capable two-way defenseman with a whole host of above-average tools. A strong skater with NHL size and a significant physical edge to his game, Fleury logged major minutes against top competition as an 18-year-old for a mediocre Red Deer Rebels team.

His results were nothing short of spectacular. On a team that missed the WHL playoffs and was outscored by 10 goals, Fleury managed a +15 even-strength goal differential. Fleury's +15 mark was the best goal differential on the team, and the only player close was Nick Charif, his most common defensive partner.

If there's a concern with Fleury's game, it's his lack of goal scoring. Even though Fleury is an excellent two-way defender, generally speaking, the players who go on to become shutdown, big-minute defensemen in the NHL tend to score at a somewhat prolific rate in major junior. 

Fleury's pedestrian .11 goals per game mark in his draft-eligible season ranks him 10th among draft-eligible defensemen, which is low for a player expected to be selected in the top-half of the first round.

Any concerns about Fleury's goal scoring should be mitigated at least in part by the auspicious assist rate he posted. Fleury outscored likely No. 1 overall pick Aaron Ekblad at even strength in his draft-eligible season, and his .54 assisists per game in 2013-14 rank him third among draft-eligible defenders (behind only Julius Honka and Anthony DeAngelo). Fleury was also first among defenders on his team in scoring by a whopping 15 points.

The 18-year-old Regina native is basically a promising plus puck-moving defenseman who projects to be a solid two-way defender in the NHL, albeit not someone manning the power-play point in a 1-3-1 or umbrella-type formation.

Pro Comparison

Dan Hamhuis

Scouts are saying

 ESPN Insider Corey Pronman:

He is a 6-3, 200-pound defender who plays the body frequently, and does it well; he projects as a high-end physical player at the top level if he continues to grow into his body. He's also very mobile in every direction, he's got a great top speed to rush the puck, and he's agile with his turns/pivots and tight space maneuvering. Fleury also has the ability to QB a power play.

 TSN's Craig Button:

Haydn's an excellent skater who uses it to his advantage very well. He's a smart defender who will transition the puck but is a real steady force on the blue line who steps up when it matters.

NHL Central Scouting's Peter Sullivan:

I compare him to a Jay Bouwmeester-type since he makes it look so easy in your own end. He can carry it out or with one pass you're on the transition and that's what makes him so effective. His points might not be as high as some of the other defensemen on the board, but he just does so many other things well.

Highlights