[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 8):

RW Shane Vansaghi (6'2",216lbs)
Michigan St. (NCAA): 20gp/ 2g/ 9a/ 11pts, +7, 18 PIM.

In 2023-24, on a star-studded NTDP team, RW Shane Vansaghi wasn't able to distinguish himself much, and wasn't really considered to be a prospect of note. Things have changed, as he's been impressive as an 18 year-old (with an October, 2006 birthday) in his freshman year of college, posting respectable numbers and imposing his will physically every game, despite not playing big minutes. Vansaghi is a two-way, all-situations power-forward who is unrelentingly physical, with boundless motor. He is hard to handle on the forecheck as he hits not only for tactical reasons, but also to wear his opponents down and punish them. He's an unstoppable force along the boards, an immoveable object in front of the net, and a bull in a China shop down low. He separates man from puck, constantly wins inside position, and hits like a human wrecking ball- players on the other team know when he's on the ice. His game is hard and heavy, and scouts say it's NHL-translatable.

Vansaghi isn't just another brute, he's actually quite smart, showing good vision, timing, and anticipation. He also has slick puck-skills, and the tight protection ability to deke around defenders on occasion- he can bull his way through traffic, or carry with confidence for short distances. There's flashes of a rather skilled playmaking game developing in his repertoire, and he can pass under sticks or through traffic every once in a while. When in shooting position, he has a pretty decent arsenal at his disposal, but he hasn't been a big goal-scoring threat in college as of yet with only 2 goals. Even still, the front of the net is his office, and he will crash the crease looking for loose pucks, or park himself there to screen the goalie and fish for tips and rebounds. Vansaghi shows superb defensive engagement, and keen awareness in his own zone, displaying the same high energy on the backcheck as he exhibits on the forecheck. He skates very north-south routes through the neutral zone and doesn't hold on to the puck for too long, instead relying on the give-and-go to support his team in transition. The main reason for this might be his deficient mobility...

Vansaghi's boots are rather heavy, his stride is a bit clunky and stiff, and his stance is upright and awkward; still, he manages to play with pace-even against men in the NCAA. He keeps his feet moving, and works incredibly hard to compensate somewhat for his lack of speed, but he can't separate in open ice right now, and his acceleration is sub-par. If he can get his skating up to snuff, he's got a high NHL floor as he can play in all situations. Vansaghi has tons of potential, and some tools that scouts like- I think he'll be drafted in the first half of the second round of this summer's Draft.