C/LW Cole Huckins 6'4"201lbs (Acadie-Bathurst, QMJHL): 14g/18a/32pts in 33 games, with 49 PIMs-4th in scoring on the team. In 2019-20, he registered 38pts in 64 games-leading me to believe that his numbers should've been better this year. Huckins plays a lot on the 3rd line, and occasionally on the second line with Kyle Kidney. Another exmple of a big-bodied, mean power-forward type, Huckins is ultra-competitive, dominates puck battles, and overwhelms the greasy areas. Scary on the forecheck, and chasing down pucks. Attacks the net, and plays with snarl.
Huckins is definitely not without skill and vision. In 2019-20, he played mostly C, and many said his play-making was reminiscent of Joe Thornton. This year, playing the wing has brought out his power-forward tendencies, and his snarl-this is how he developed his nasty presence along the boards. He still demonstrates good passing ability, and good puck manipulation-he can draw defenders to him, creating space for teammates. He has a good net-front presence, where he scores most of his goals-his longer range, lower danger shots tend to miss the mark.
As mentioned, Huck plays a strong board game, and a gritty defenive game. He can separate man from puck with his stick, or with huge hits-often of the open-ice variety. He keeps the puck in low danger with his size and physicality.
Huckins skating can be inconsistent-it's heavy, but he employs a longer stride in acceleration while in puck pursuit, or breakouts that gives him a pretty good top speed. Other times, his stride is short and clunky. Needs work, but many think he'll be ok in this department. Needs work on his agility, edges, and balance as well. Huck also needs work on his stickhandling. Looks to be a middle-6 player at the NHL level. CS ranks him as a "C" prospect, but I think we'll see him go in the third round.
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