Because the Chicago Blackhawks already alluded to turning their give attention to drafting forwards within the 2023 NHL Draft, Ethan Gauthier was the primary ahead highlighted for this Blackhawks’ 2023 NHL Draft collection. The social gathering continues, and one other dynamic ahead that the Blackhawks may have a look at is Koehn Ziemmer. He is among the most perplexing gamers projected to go within the first spherical as a result of he has all of the instruments that mould a super hockey participant, however he additionally has one flaw that’s making scouts weary and plenty of pondering he may fall again within the draft. But, Chicago may choose him in the event that they select to be extra aggressive with the Nineteenth-overall decide.
If there may be one factor you’ll be able to’t educate in hockey, it’s offensive ability, and Ziemmer has a number of the greatest within the draft. There are quite a lot of issues about him that make him distinctive. I seen when watching him that he has endurance in his sport. He’s prepared to attend for the precise play to come back alongside and discover his teammates on the proper time to set them up for targets, so he has strong on-ice consciousness. On the subject of his own-goal scoring potential, look out. His backhander is filthy, and it’s a transfer that by no means appears to fail him. He has a strong and correct shot on the whole. As soon as he will get to the web, it’s dangerous information for the opposition. He could make them look foolish.
Ziemmer’s instincts are top-notch, which is why he was the ninth-best scorer within the Western Hockey League (WHL) with 41 targets, 48 factors, and 89 factors in 68 video games with the Prince George Cougars. He additionally netted seven factors in 10 video games within the playoffs. His numbers this season had been profession highs in each the common season and playoffs, so he exploded onto everybody’s radar. The final component of his sport is his dimension. At 6-foot, 194 kilos, he has the proper duo of dimension and ability to his sport that each membership seems for.
When his plus/minus, it’s not nice, as he was a minus-15 final season and was a minus-3 within the playoffs this yr. Though, he was a zero through the common season. By that, he could be extra of a one-dimensional participant on the NHL stage, which is okay as a result of he has the offense to make up for the protection. So many gamers within the NHL, like Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, and Patrik Laine are thought of one-dimensional and are so essential to their groups’ success.
Associated: Koehn Ziemmer – 2023 NHL Draft Prospect Profile
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The primary fault in Ziemmer’s sport is his skating. His stride has been described as “clunky,” however there’s a optimistic to that. Dallas Stars ahead Jason Robertson has been knocked for his skating potential, and his stride was described precisely as Ziemmer’s: clunky and awkward. A lot so he fell to the second spherical of the 2017 NHL Draft with considerations his skating can be a hindrance on the NHL stage. Now, Robertson is among the high gamers within the NHL. Not saying that Ziemmer can be Robertson, however it proves that he’s a first-round expertise for a purpose, and his skating can be an afterthought if his offense shines.
Blackhawks Would Be Taking Likelihood With Ziemmer
As famous, the Blackhawks have the primary and Nineteenth-overall decide, however it’s questionable in the event that they keep at 19. Ziemmer’s draft projection is within the late first spherical however may slip to the early second spherical. If the Blackhawks commerce again within the draft, he could possibly be a goal afterward or a decide at 19. Director of beginner scouting Mike Doneghey acknowledged, “Possibly a man falls. Possibly we take an opportunity on a man that we like, however we will’t get within the second spherical, however who’s there at 19.” The Blackhawks have 4 second-round picks, however it’s nonetheless being decided the place these picks are within the draft order. In the event that they like Ziemmer’s sport, consider in his upside, and don’t assume he’ll fall to them elsewhere, that one would match the invoice of taking an opportunity.
It’s often gamers like Ziemmer which can be definitely worth the threat. It has been seen repeatedly that focusing an excessive amount of on one “defective” facet of a participant’s sport can show detrimental, like Cole Caufield (Montreal Canadiens), who fell within the draft due to his 5-foot-7 body, or Robertson. Now their respective groups couldn’t be extra thrilled they fell into their laps, and groups that handed on them are left shaking their heads.
Ziemmer won’t be the primary alternative that is sensible for the Blackhawks, as scouting emphasizes skating potential. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to by no means have an excessive amount of offense, and he has so many different instruments that the crew likes and wishes: intelligence, ability, dimension, and physicality. Ziemmer even famous that he believes physicality is an under-appreciated facet of his sport, as he throws hits each sport. A scout talked about in the identical story that he may use his body to guard the puck. These are nice qualities so as to add to the highest 9.
General, Ziemmer is a superb participant in his personal proper and could possibly be a diamond within the tough. Including much more offensive firepower to an anticipated Connor Bedard-led crew can be onerous to beat and likewise fills a necessity for proper wing. They’ve quite a lot of two-way participant prospects, together with Gavin Hayes, Frank Nazar, Ryan Greene, and Colton Dach, so there isn’t a lot stress for Ziemmer to suit that mould. He could possibly be a pleasant addition.
Associated: 2023 NHL Draft: Baracchini’s High 96 April Rankings
Lastly, the 18-year-old appears to have a unusual persona. A quote from Ziemmer appeared from January when he was requested about Bedard, and he replied, “Performed him earlier this yr, fairly good participant,” he stated with a smirk.
It seems as if many groups are trying carefully at Ziemmer’s abilities, and the Blackhawks can be clever to do the identical.
