Originally Posted by Sandman
Here is my write-up of Villeneuve. Too bad, I really like the kid:
Draft Thoughts (Sudbury Wolves Edition):
One can't judge Sudbury Wolves' LHC Nathan Villeneuve on stats alone, but it appears as though Central Scouting has been watching him closely, as they have given him a "B" rating- pegging him as a 2nd or 3rd round pick. To date, he has collected 14 goals and 35 points (with 46 PIM) in 44 games on one of the best, and highest-scoring teams in the OHL. Villeneuve plays behind some very high-end, older players in Sudbury, such as David Goyette, Quentin Musty, Landon McCallum, Kocha Delic, and Dalibor Dvorsky- so he doesn't get top-line minutes, or much powerplay time (only 5 of his points have come via the PP). In fact, he's often relegated to third-line deployment, because of the logjam at the center-ice position, along with some tours of duty on the second line mixed in here and there. There's no doubt that if he were given more ice-time and responsibility, his numbers would look even impressive, and I think Central Scouting recognizes that. Villy was drafted 3rd overall by the Wolves in the 2021 OHL Draft.
Vileneuve is a gritty, details-oriented, two-way centerman who brings snarl and physicality every shift. He plays hard and heavy, with a strong and sturdy 6'0",185lb frame, and battles tooth-and-nail for every puck. Much like a poor-man's Brad Marchand, he's a superpest who agitates, makes life difficult for opponents, and has sky-high compete. Also like Marchand, he's tough enough to back it up, and will drop the gloves- and he's not a bad fighter. Villy plays many games with a target on his back, and doesn't seem to mind. He's a bit of a throwback, power-forward type, who's constantly in motion, works hard, and has high motor to play a 60-minute game. As one could guess, he's a relentless forechecker who throws hits aplenty, but is smart enough to not take himself out of the play.
Villeneuve isn't just a goon, though- he's highly intelligent, and has top-notch vision as a playmaker. He's got spatial awareness, and can open seams to get the puck to high-danger. He's got a hard, heavy shot, with a lightning-fast release, and the hands in-tight to fool goalies. He's an effortless skater, perhaps even explosive- he was an injury replacement for the CHL Top Prospects Game, and in the on-ice testing leading up to the event, he placed 5th overall in the 30m Forward Skate, and 2nd in the 30m Forward Skate With Puck. He's a responsible player in all 3 zones, and backchecks as hard as he forechecks, hounding puck carriers, and getting in their faces. This is a player who will get more and more dominant at the junior level in the next 2 years, as those older players depart for the pros, and will start putting up big numbers as early as next season. This is another player that's far better than his stats suggest. In his last 20 games, he has 22 points. He compares himself to Mason McTavish, and I can see that to some degree, although I think he plays a much more energetic, rambunctious style. If he's available in the third round, it's a good idea to take him.
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