[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Hidden Gems Edition, Vol. 59):

C/LW Lev Katzin (5'8",176lbs)
Guelph (OHL): 44gp/ 16g/ 32a/ 48pts, -7, 26 PIM

Lev Katzin (ranked # 142 NA Skaters) may be short in stature, but he isn't short on character. He started the current campaign with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL (6 points in 9 games, with 44 PIM), with the intention of playing for Penn State next season, but wisely transferred to Guelph after the rules prohibiting CHL players from playing in the NCAA was overturned in November. Guelph finished in 19th-place out of 20 teams in the OHL, but thankfully for Katzin, they have a decent top-six, and were 15th in goals-scored. At the time of this writing, he is playing for Team Canada at the U-18's on the top-line with Braeden Cootes and Brady Martin, and is tied for 7th in scoring (3rd on Team Canada) with 8 points in 5 games. I love this kid- he's fun to watch, and even though he isn't the biggest guy on the ice, he's a highly competitive buzzsaw with high-end skill, and a gritty, hard-nosed game. An excellent skater with top-notch maneuverability on his edges, his speed has been on display in the tournament- blowing by defenders up the boards, and darting around in traffic. He pushes pace, and seems to be everywhere all at once.

While he may be diminutive in height, he's built like a tank at 179 lbs, and often looks like a 6'2" power-forward in disguise with the way he finishes his checks, hits like a truck, plays through contact, and crashes the crease. He doesn't shy away from the rough stuff, and instead- he seems to wade into it, plying energy, intensity, and high-motor in all situations. Still, he needs to get stronger, as he can still get pushed around at times. Like a rabid badger, he competes for pucks along the wall, wins battles all over the ice, and fights for inside position; his dog-on-a-bone approach draws the ire of opponents, and in turn- draws penalties. From what I've read though, he has a temper, and loses his composure at times, too. Lev is a pass-first playmaker with high-end IQ and superb vision, with the ability to see the ice well and make crisp, accurate passes right on the tape- driving play and creating opportunities. He funnels pucks to the slot, and routinely connects across the ice and through traffic with remarkable touch and precision, making the process look easy and putting his teammates in advantageous spots, giving his targets an easy tap-in, re-direct, or deflection for a goal. Using manipulation and deception, he fakes shots for passes, and uses feints and look-offs to fool defenders and open space. He will delay to wait for the right play to develop, holding on the puck patiently, and will use cut-backs, button-hooks, hesitations, and fakes to make a little more room. He's effective around the net, with low-to-high plays from below the goal-line, and passes through the slot.

With a nose for the net, Katzin will attack the middle off the rush, and will drive the inside to draw pressure. He reads gaps well, and exhibits strong spatial awareness, with the understanding of how to create space by drawing opponents in his direction, which opens shooting lanes, and passing seams. He finds gaps in coverage to fill, and cuts across the ice to shift defenses and create screens in the process. In front of the net, he will battle with larger defensemen for positioning, using slashes and cross-checks to even the playing field, and will crash the crease for loose pucks; he has soft hands in-tight, and superb hand-eye coordination for tips. He can beat defenders wide on occasion, drives the net off the wall, has a quick release on his wrister, and follows his shots to the net in search of the rebound. Displaying excellent puck-skill, he exerts almost infallible control at top-speed, and despite his size, he protects quite well- with an arsenal of dekes and dangles to weave through traffic, and make defenders miss. He uses these skills to contribute in transition, by rushing the puck through the neutral zone, but can also orchestrate give-and-go's to push the pace. Katzin has a hunger for the puck, and is a pest to opposing carriers in all three zones, always in their faces with slashes to their twigs, stick-lifts, pokes, and even open-ice hits. With relentless pursuit of the puck, and menacing physicality, he is highly tenacious on the forecheck- sprinting at opponents to cause turnovers and giveaways, showing a proficiency in picking pockets from behind. As in all other areas of the ice, he is engaged and well-positioned in the defensive zone, but seems to lack some awareness defensively; he looks lost at times, puck-watching and kinda just drifting, with much less aggression in his own-zone than in the other two-thirds of the ice, and he seems to be waiting for the play to come to him. Katzin needs work on his shot, and perhaps his finishing skills, but he's a gamer. Don't be surprised if he's taken in the middle-rounds.