LHD Daniel Laatsch,6'5"181lbs (Sioux City,USHL): 51gp/2g/17a/19pts,18PIM. Passed over in last year's draft. 1st round pick, 7th overall in the 2020 USHL Draft. The most enticing qualities about him are his size, and mobility-he's a good skater, especially for a big man. He's elusive, with a long, powerful stride, and good acceleration-he's even good going backwards. Covers a lot of ice very quickly, and has strong edges to adapt to quick players. Excellent defensive skills and awareness-he shuts down plays with his size and stick. Applies great pressure to puck-carriers, and makes it difficult to find open space. Defends quite well in front of his net, and keeps the crease clear. Laatsch has good power in both his wristshot, and his slapper. Strong vision, and well-developed passing skills-he can find teammates in traffic, and he can make some dazzling stretch passes through the neutral zone in transition. Angles off opponents along the boards to have a positioning advantage, using his size well. Good competitor, wins battles in the trenches.
Laatsch has the potential to develop more of an offensive game, especially as he was seen as "offensive-minded' at lower levels. He needs to fill out his frame and get stronger to handle players at the next level. Central Scouting gives him a "C" rating, meaning they expect him to be picked between the 4th, and 6th rounds. DL has the chance to be a bottom-pairing, shutdown D who plays the PK. Committed to the University of Wisconsin.
|