Oscar Holmertz:
Projection: Middle 6 Forward
Strengths: Stick skills, Foot speed and fluidity, Versatility and reliability
Weaknesses: Physicality, Release
Analysis:
Oscar Holmertz might be the most underrated player in this entire
class. In my viewings of him, he has been nothing short of dominant.
He has very impressive stick skills, blocking passing lanes, lifting
sticks to steal pucks, or knocking down cross-ice passes. If he
creates a turnover, he has incredible speed and edge work to make it
up ice in a hurry. His fluid stride is something you cannot teach. He
is so good in every zone of the ice that he plays in every situation
and is capable of taking faceoffs. His vision is extraordinary, too,
making passes that shouldn’t be possible and staying one step ahead of
the play constantly. He is so smart and patient, sometimes it can look
like he’s not getting involved just to have the puck appear on his
stick.
My faults with his game are that he isn’t nearly as physical as I wish
he were. If he wants to have an easier time transitioning to the NA
game, he needs to develop a bit of physicality in his game. I’m also
not that fond of his release, not that it’s inherently bad, I just
think it’s very telegraphed and not snappy enough to deceive more
talented goalies.