Jean-Cristoph Lemieux:
Projection: Third Line Center
Strengths: Ability to drive the net, Hockey IQ, Puck control
Weaknesses: Lack of elite attributes, Size and strength
Analysis:
When it’s all said and done, Jean-Cristoph Lemieux might be the best
all-around undersized forward in this draft. He has a special ability
to drive the net and find loose pucks with ease. He has a very good
hockey IQ to read plays as they develop to be at the right spot at the
right time. In tight, he is very good at controlling or shooting the
puck and making quick decisions under pressure as well. He possesses a
great amount of poise with the puck on his stick too, not rushing or
throwing the puck away when under pressure as he looks for the best
play available to him. He isn’t a liability defensively and does what
he is meant to do. He uses his body the best he can to maintain or
recover the puck. In all honesty, JC Lemieux is an overall very good
early pick.
His only downsides are that he is a jack of all trades with nothing
that jumps out as being elite, and his size. Without an elite
attribute to hone in on and perfect, it’s going to be rather difficult
for him to fill a meaningful role in the pro game. It also doesn’t
help that he’s “small” for a centerman, being only six feet and ~187
pounds; he needs to bulk up and gather some strength if he wants to
continue playing center effectively at the next level.