NHL Scouts’ Notes Part 6
April 15, 2020
By Grant McCagg
Here are accumulated notes on two of the 2020 NHL Draft’s top forward prospects from three of the top amateur scouts in the business. All are crossover scouts that see prospects in all of the leagues on both sides of the ocean. Opinions were gathered at various points in the season.
Lucas Raymond – LW Frolunda SHL 2002-03-28 5-11 170
2019-20 Stats – 33GP 4 6 10Pts Shoots Right
Ontario-based crossover scout Feb. 2020 – I don’t get why Raymond is always ranked so high. He is a pure finesse winger. His game is to the outside
Quebec-based crossover scout Feb. 2020 – He’s good. He’s real good. He’s so smart and skilled. what a playmaking center, wow. He’s a good two-way guy, I think he can play center. He’s too much of a playmaker to put on the wing I think. He already knows how to play center.
Quebec-based crossover scout Apr. 2020 – He’s not as strong as Rossi, but he’s taller, has to put on some muscle. He’s pretty crafty. I think what happens with guys like Raymond who are so physically inadequate with the men…they get overlooked a little bit. they can’t fight through..it’s just hard..he’s still a boy. Just watching his head and his hands…there’s a lot of potential with this guy. You watched him play as an underage a couple of years ago in Swedish junior; he was so good as an underage. I thought he was going to be stronger this year, but his body hasn’t really matured. He’s got a lot of savvy in his game. I see a kid who can play in all situations. He can skate, he can do all the things you want, he’s just one of those guys that gets underappreciated. I think if he’d have gotten to play in this spring’s Under 18 with his peer group, it would have been like he was shot out of a cannon like he did last year. He’s fallen for sure. He’s probably going 9 or 10, and somebody’s gonna get a helluva pick right there.
Ontario-based crossover scout Feb. 2020 – He skates well. He can make plays, and makes players around him better, moreso than Holtz I think.
Ontario-based crossover scout Apr. 2020 – He’s not built like Holtz; he’s a finesse, offensive winger. I found his game to be a lot on the outside. I didn’t see him win a lot of puck battles…his game is based on the attack with his skills and smarts with the puck. I watched him in some junior games, and I saw the same thing, so I don’t think you can give him a pass because he wasn’t battling against the men in the SHL, I just don’t think he’s a hard skill guy. He is versatile – he can make plays and he can score. Maybe he can play center, but I don’t know how determined he is defensively, how courageous he is in battles. I don’t know; he’s not my type of guy. Who in the league can you compare him to…a Duchene type? He’s not a bad skater, but he doesn’t have separation speed.
Alex Holtz – RW Djurgarden SHL 2002-01-23 5-11.5 192
2019-20 Stats – 35GP 9 7 16 12Pts Shoots Right
Quebec-based crossover scout Feb. 2020 – He is kind of a one-trick pony, but he can make plays too. A good shot. What he does, he does really well. That’s what you wanna draft. He’s a goal scorer. You watch him handle the puck and shoot the puck. He’s pretty good. I think he could go ahead of the other second tier of forwards. You’re going to get a player in the top ten. I don’t have an issue with his skating. It’s not going to be a weapon, but it’s not going to be an issue either. He has the shot to beat goaltenders.
Ontario-based crossover scout Apr. 2020 – Like most shooters, most goal scorers; there’s some selfishness in there at times; that’s why I have Raymond slightly ahead. I think he’s a better playmaker.
Ontario-based crossover scout Apr. 2020 – I think Quinn is a smarter player than Holtz. Holtz is going to be a strong bull of a player. He’s gonna have the right body makeup to be to do all the things you are hoping. I would have Holts ahead of Quinn, but I think they’re both similar in terms of potential. Quinn’s just gotta get stronger, Holtz is already there physically; you don’t have to guess on him in that regard. I have to say he has got the best shot. Quick release, heaviness, accuracy. Those other guys have good shots, but I think his is just a little bit better. I can see Holtz being ahead of the other guys in that grouping because he is more NHL-ready; there’s no guesswork or hoping with this guy; he will play, and he will score goals.