[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Hidden Gems Edition, Vol. 47):

LHC Cole Chandler (6'2",174lbs)
Shawinigan (QMJHL): 64gp/ 13g/ 19a/ 32pts, +12, 40 PIM

Cole Chandler (ranked #172 NA Skaters) finished the regular season 8th in scoring for the Cataractes, but is currently tied for second in playoff scoring (behind only Matvei Gridin) for that club with 8 points in 9 games, and is second in plus/minus with a +7. He was Shawinigan's first-round draft choice in the 2023 QMJHL Entry Draft, 16th-overall, but only truly started to fulfill his potential in the second half the 2024-25 season; he put up 10 points in 25 games in an injury-riddled rookie year in 2023-24, and by the 30 game mark of the current campaign, he only had 7 points- but piled up 25 points in his next 34. He might be flying way under the radar, but he's a smart, well-rounded power-forward with a responsible two-way game. Chandler obviously has a sizeable frame, and even though his stride is not mechanically perfect (with a bit of an upright, short stride), he still manages to generate excellent speed in a straight-line, with the ability to win races at times, beat defenders wide, and separate from pursuers in open-ice. He needs work on his explosiveness, and his edgework- though he does own a quick change of pace and direction to bait attackers into opening space. His pace has improved since the start of the season, and he has cut down on the amount of times he gets caught gliding into the play, but he is still sometimes guilty of underperforming on both fronts.

Chandler is primarily known to be a playmaker who mostly employs a simple distribution game, but he is able to pull off some dynamic passes to connect on high-end plays at times- showing keen vision and potent hockey sense. He reads gaps well, and understands space-creation- using every trick in the book to draw pressure and shift the defense, including delays and cutbacks to bait defenders into breaking formation. He pre-scans thoroughly, reads the play well, and can see teammates through traffic, making sound decisions. A skilled passer with mostly precision feeds, he has a wide array of methods to connect with teammates, including saucers over blades, hooks around sticks, backhands, and deft slip-passes through triangles- and he sprinkles in some deception (such as fakes, look-offs, and shot-passes) to smooth the way. His shot isn't too special in terms of power and velocity, but he disguises his release to fool goalies, and can pick corners with precision. Most of his scoring opportunities come from attacking the middle off the rush, cutting inside off the cycle, and going to the net with his stick on the ice to await high-danger feeds in the low-slot- or right on the goalie's doorstep. He will take the puck to the net, but he will also plant himself in front of the crease without the puck to take abuse, and clean up garbage; he exhibits top-tier hand-eye coordination for re-directs in the slot. and will get his stick up to tip pucks past the goalie.

Bringing a hard-hat mentality to the rink, Chandler provides energy to his team and is always involved. He charges into puck-battles, and uses his frame to give himself adavantages, as well as to provide a bit more separation. A physical player, he will lean into opponents on the run to steal pucks, cut inside, or just to rub them out along the wall, and will throw hits to win possession. He forechecks with purpose, and sprints at puck-carriers to force pressure, push pace, pick pockets, and cause turnovers. While not elite-level, he exhibits good puck-skill with smooth handling, occasionally surprising defenders with deft one-on-one moves to move through traffic. Chandler is a perceptive defensive performer, with plus-level awareness in own-zone scenarios, and employs good details and smart positioning to shut down the opposition's best players- racking up steals, causing turnovers, and poking away pucks. He does a good job of taking away the middle from inside-attacks with an active stick and his sturdy frame. Chandler is still inconsistent in his pace, with his engagement, physicality, and intensity all having wide ebbs and flows. From what I've heard, he is keeping his feet moving more consistently, but he can still be caught gliding a bit too much. Like many kids his age, he tries to do too much on his own at times, and can hold on to the puck for too long while waiting for plays to develop; he also tries to force plays that aren't there. This might indicate a need to improve his decision-making, as well as his play-reading abilities. Another important area that is in need of refinement is his faceoffs, which sat below 50% this year. Even if his offensive game doesn't translate fully, his defense, size, and physicality still give him enough value to be taken in later rounds. I like this kid, and I feel like he's been overlooked a bit.