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2016 NHL Draft Profile: Erie Otters’ Right Wing, Alex DeBrincat

Name: Alex DeBrincat

2015-2016 team: Erie Otters (OHL)

Stats: 60GP, 51 goals, 50 assists, 101 points, 28 PIMs, +18

Future Considerations Ranking: 27th

NHL comparable player: Cam Atkinson

Alex DeBrincat is probably one of the more divisive prospects that could be picked at 25th overall. Looking just at the stats it is clear that he has a lot of offensive talent.

In both of his first two seasons in the OHL he’s racked up over 100 points and scored 50 goals in each one. He’s known as a talented sniper and very skilled offensively.

The down side, and why a double 100 point player in the OHL might be available at 25th, is size concerns. He isn’t a big player, in fact at 5’7″, 165lbs, he’ll probably easily be the smallest player taken in the first round.

When it comes to DeBrincat it is going to come down to the scout or general manager who decides that the fact DeBrincat is small doesn’t matter and his offensive talents are too good to miss. Despite his small size he isn’t afraid to get physical with the opposition.

He might get pushed off the puck more than you’d like but he also has survived and blossomed in the OHL because he is playing with his head and can outskate most of the bigger players he faces. He clearly has a very good hockey mind.

DeBrincat also has some of the best hands in the draft as well as being one of the best snipers available.

If DeBrincat is still on the board when the Dallas Stars pick at 25th I think it’ll give Jim Nill a pause for thought. It is possible that his size, he is two inches shorter than Johnny Gaudreau, might prevent him ever becoming an NHL player. But it also equally possibly that he can be a 30 goal plus winger in the NHL.

The Dallas Stars need those offensive dynamos in their prospect pool, outside of the professional leagues the prospect pool is thin on offensive talent, and DeBrincat could improve it immensely.

Alex DeBrincat Highlights:

Talking Points