[Sandman]

C/LW Cole Sillinger,6'0"201lbs (Sioux Falls,USHL): 31gp/24g/22a/46pts,39PIM. 1st in scoring for Sioux Falls, despite playing 19 or more games less than some of his teammates. 4th in the USHL for p/gp, even though he played on one of the worst teams in the league, and one of the most offensively challenged. 9th in goals, despite playing at least 16 games less than any other player in the top-10- if he played 51 games, as the goals leader Matt Coronato did, the math would pro-rate Sillinger's goal total to 39, good for 2nd in goals. In 2019-20, he made a name for himself as a member of the Medicine Hat Tigers, narrowly missing out on WHL Rookie of the Year to Dylan Guenther, with 22g/31a/52pts in 48 games. He probably would've won if his season wasn't cut short by Covid, and a medical procedure unrelated to hockey. That total is the most points from an under-17 player for the Tigers in the last 35 years. If he played in the 'Dub this year, he would have huge numbers.

Sillinger might be the best natural goal scorer in this year's draft. He has an elite release, with a shot that just explodes off his stick-hard, heavy and accurate, already NHL quality. He can get that shot off from anywhere in the zone, or wherever the puck is in relation to his body-he doesn't have to rely on perfect shot mechanics. He has the soft hands to score on deflections or rebounds. His slapshot is a howitzer. He's always searching for open space, and surveying his options-he can slow a game down to find a crisp, accurate pass or pick a corner for a goal. He also has an innate ability to get open. Deception is one of his best weapons-he can manipulate defenders into making errors with fakes, subtle moves with his hands and feet, and no-look passes or shots. That, combined with his patience and vision help him to be a few steps ahead of the play, meaning he doesn't need to blow past the opposition.

Which brings me to the next thing-skating. Sillinger has been called quick and fast, but he lacks explosiveness and perhaps quality top speed, which is probably why he's not being talked about in the top-5 of the draft. He has some power in those blades, and many say the tougher criticism is overblown. He has improved his speed, edges, and agility, and obviously did a lot of work last summer. He can make quick directional changes to evade checkers, and has the lateral agility to find lanes. Sillinger has supreme vision and IQ. He drives the offense, and bends the twine either by putting the puck in by himself, or by passing it off. He's also a great playmaker-he finds lanes, and threads the needle through traffic. His off-puck movement and desire to attack open ice creates opportunities. His strong base makes him hard to move in battle areas, like a bull on skates. He'll fight along the boards or in front of the net, and he usually wins. Uncommonly strong, with good puck-protection and balance, and strong on the puck as well. Edgy and physical, he throws his weight around in all 3 zones, and contributes a great deal away from the puck with his physicality, hockey sense, and sublime awareness. Maintains control of the puck through traffic, and can drive through the opposition. He's a tenacious forechecker, who pressures hard to create turnovers. Defensively, the effort is there-he will block shots, get into lanes, and bring it physically. This is another area where his hockey sense helps him. He uses body and stick to break up transition, and his IQ helps him to be a valuable contributor in all 3 zones. His coach describes him as "stacked", and he's known to take pride in his fitness. He loves the game, and knows what his responsibilities are in order to be a winner.

Obviously, some work in the skating department is warranted, but the mechanics seem to be there. Sillinger could stand to fine tune some of his defensive contributions, and has some room to grow in this area-sometimes he leaves the zone early to transition, and leaves his teammates a man down. There are also times where he could use his teammates more, as he tries to do too much by himself-which never flies in the NHL. Based on his style, perceived skating deficiencies, and his D minus 1 year production, he has been compared to Draisaitl (64gp/21g/37a/58pts in his D minus 1 year), and RNH (67gp/24g/41a/65pts). He has been heavily compared to Mark Scheifle as well, who's mobility was questioned in his draft year.