[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Monster Edition, Vol. 1):

LHC Matthew Gard (6'5",192lbs)
Red Deer (WHL): 46gp/ 10g/ 13a/ 23pts, -4, 50 PIM

The Red Deer Rebels are 17th out of 22 teams in the WHL, and only 1 team in the entire CHL (The Halifax Mooseheads) has scored less goals than their 115 tallies in 47 games to date. Scouts know that Rebels' center Matthew Gard is a far better player than his stats suggest, and would have much better numbers on a better club; he is ranked #52 by Bob McKenzie, and is #42 (NA Skaters) in Central Scouting's Midterm list. Gard is an underrated offensive contributor, as he does exhibit some creativity, as well as solid vision and hockey sense, but the team that he plays for drags down his numbers. Even without shiny offensive stats, Gard is a big power-forward who focuses on being a stalwart defensive player, and excels in that role.

Gard is a fairly straight-line player, and not very dynamic, but he's skilled and smart, and reliable in all three zones. He has flashes of high-end play-creation with acute passing skill that allows him to connect with teammates through layers of traffic on occasion. He has a keen knowledge of how to manipulate opponents through deception, and also how to bait them with the puck- drawing them in to manufacture open space elsewhere. He plays a physical game, going heavy on the forecheck in finishing his checks, causing havoc, and dominating in the greasy areas. Gard's skating is around average, but it's fluid, and will improve as he gets stronger; he can still beat defenders wide at times, occasionally separate in open ice, and win races to loose pucks. Defensively, he's a positionally sound, impactful sentry who reads his opponents remarkably well and plays a detailed game. With his enormous range and active stick, aided by his solid awareness and anticipation, he forces turnovers and takes away the middle of the ice from attackers. He will support his D down low, and provide a helping hand to teammates in winning puck-battles. Off the puck, he's intelligent, and always puts himself in good position to give his teammates short passing options, or to connect plays. Gard exhibits solid puck-protection to skate through checks and decent hands for stickhandling, making him a sound contributor to transition- but he prefers to pre-scan on the rush to work the give-and-go through the neutral zone. On the powerplay, he is usually stationed in front of the net, but he will also attack the crease in 5-on-5 situations to battle for position, bang in loose pucks, and cash in on tips and rebounds. Gard is also an excellent faceoff performer.

Though Gard has an excellent work-ethic and good motor, there are some who say he needs to learn to play with better pace. Improvements must be made to his offensive game, and he needs more power in his shot, but most importantly- he has to upgrade his skating a notch or two for the next level. If he can do that, he'll be a force- but even still, he might be suited more for 3rd-line defensive duty in the NHL, with the hope for more. Look for him in the 2nd-round. I'm a fan.