Mika Zibanejad Scouting Report: Opinions please :)

Prospect Profiles

Drafted

Mika Zibanejad - Ottawa Senators 6th Overall 2011 Entry Draft Forward SEASON TO DATE: Binghamton SenatorsBK Skill assessment on 20-80 scale. DOB:

SUMMARY

Mika is an above average two-way power centre. Capable of playing wing, but game translates well to the centre-ice. Offensively inclined, Mika possesses a powerful shot, and strong puck skills. Not a true dangler. Strong on cycle and in front of net. Likes to cut to net from wing. Is effective at getting the puck to the net from both above and below the hash marks. Has a powerful build, aids him in explosiveness even if his top-speed is lacking. Capable of generating enough speed quickly that he can catch defenders flat footed. Will engage physically on a whim, and has no problems taking a hit to make a play. Will be a difficult player to deal with in front of net because of determined attitude, powerful build, and balance on skates. Release is not overly deceptive or lightning fast, but smooth and consistent. Sometimes will be too narrow in vision and shoot the puck when a passing opportunity that could create a stronger chance was available. Not the most creative forward. Has nice offensive skills overall, and is capable of creating some offense on his own. Should not be relied upon to carry a line’s offense every night.

Unsure if I am willing to compare his upside to that of a 60+ point player at this point. Believe he can consistently produce 50+ points however.

CSS CHECKLIST:

Skating

(60) Acceleration - First few strides, ability to pull away from or catch other players.

(50) Speed - When in motion at full stride.

(55) Balance - Is he strong on his skates?

(55) Mobility - Agility, footwork, pivots, stops and starts.

(50) Backward Skating - Overall backward skating ability.

Overall = Skating is strong, powerful, if not elegant. Top end speed is lacking, but ability to move around ice with explosive strides is good.

Puck skills

(55) Shot accuracy - Gets puck to net with regularity

(60) Shot strength - Heavy shot difficult to handle for goalies at times

(50) Shot release - Not deceptive, is relatively quick. Consistent

(55) Possess multiple shot types - Nice wrist shot, snap is solid, backhand has power

(50) Stick-handling ability - Can dangle opponents, but is not a top end dangler. At his best when using stick-handling with body to protect puck

(55) Puck protection - Body position is great, protects puck very well, can be difficult to contain below goal line

(60)Faceoffs - Regularly wins draws, and can tie up opponents if unable to win cleanly

(55) Giving a Pass - Capable of passing to create offense, not simply to move to another player. Not overly creative.

(60) Receiving a Pass - Can catch a puck on his blade well, good hands, can cradle well and gain control easily

(55) Scoring touch - Consistently in high traffic areas creating / engaging in offense. Takes puck to net when opportunity available. Cycles well and comes off boards into scoring position with and without puck.

Overall = Very complete offensive package. Does not possesses a true top end puck skill, but shot strength and puck protection may consider merit for this. I expect puck protection skills to improve (perhaps significantly) with added strength, adjustment to NA ice, and further experience in system.

Competitiveness

(60) Scoring drive - Not easy to deter. Consistently fights through checks to get to net. Both with and without puck.

(60) Work ethic - Very rarely takes a shift off. Consistently “in” the play. Noticeable in every zone, and along boards.

(65) Attitude - Calm & easy going off ice demeanor. Very fiery competitor on ice, backs it up with size and scoring. Opponents will fight difficult to contain.

(55) Consistency - Adjustment to NA ice at times presenting problems for him, too early to evaluate at this point. Not for a lack of effort.

(55) Forechecking - Consistently tough along boards, quick to puck, hard on defencemen. Hard into corners and boards.

Overall = Fiery competitor, infectious attitude. Will do what it takes to win, makes things happen in the clutch with all-out mentality.

Physical Play

(60) Board & Corner play - Battles for loose pucks, willing to pay the price with body

(55) Physical presence - Size and strength are used as an asset; tough to play against; punishes opponents. Doesnt necessarily use size to create offense, could stand to be even more “bull-in-a-china” shop with his motor + strength. Expected to improve with adjustment to smaller ice, and NA game.

(60) Conditioning - Highly conditioned. Great strength. Lower body strength is well above average.

(60) Hitting - Hits with power, hits to take puck away, hits to take a man out of a play if right decision. Will take a hit to make a play.

(N/A) Fighting - Willing to fight and is capable.

Overall = Top end physical player. Could stand to use physicality to “create” offense.

Hockey Sense

(50) Playmaking - Capable of passing to create offense, has vision, and deceptive passing skills. Lacking creativity. North-South game more obvious than 4 way mobility for playmaking.

(50) Anticipation - Reads and reacts to the play, uses motor to consistently put himself in dangerous positions, quick to strike when opportunity arises. Strong in defensive anticipation. Can break up plays. Knows role as power centre/wing and is more reliable being a board/net presence than a dangling/creative offensive threat.

(55) Discipline - Avoids bad penalties, accepts a bad call, not drawn in to retaliation.Could stand to engage a bit more in the nasty, has power to do so.

(50) Decision Making - Sometimes needs to play a more east-west game in order to open up offensive flow in opponents end. Can be guilty of being “predictable”. Is far more effective against “strength” defenders than cerebral ones. Is “safe” doesnt make many mistakes or miss many glaring opportunities, but can leave you questioning his decisions if one expecting a top end offensive star.

(55) Play under pressure - Can at times be frustrated by a tough defense, but is not intimidated or deterred, and still makes correct decisions. Can come through in the clutch.

(55) Versatility - Above average offensively, above average defensively, has strong enough motor and strength to play shut down role. Can be used in any situation.

Overall = Not a strong creative offensive forward. Better finisher than playmaker. Can create offense off cycle, but is not one to make plays routinely from “nothing”. Will not hinder an offensive play, but probably not one to pull the strings. At best when used as a power player, or complimentary offensive piece (front of net presence, along boards, taking pucks to net, shooting, crashing for rebounds).

Defensive Play

(55) Defensive Anticipation - Reads the play, gap control, dogged puck pursuit.

(50) Positioning - Angles opponents, doesnt give opponents time or space, expected to improve when accustomed to NA ice.

(55) Backchecking - Picks up man, returns hard to the defensive zone, fills in gaps when defense caught pinching.

(55) Defensive Reliability - Can be used in tough defensive situations, will sacrifice body.

Overall = Highly reliable defensive forward. Not elite, but could blossom into elite defensive centre as he becomes more experienced.

Psychological Factors

(60/65) Leadership - Takes charge in tough situations, great on-ice demeanor, could easily be a captain.

(55) Communication - Talks to other players and coaches on ice and on bench. Could stand to be a bit more assertive vocally.

(55) Confidence - Great confidence, not easily deterred from his power style of game.

Overall = Has great mentality, will aid him in becoming a top NHLer. Can and will play an important role on a team, and will fit in easily in a dressing room.