As we continue going through our prospect profiles, we are starting to take a look at players that have seen a late season surge up several rankings, but could be around in the 2nd round.
Maddox is a big kid, standing 6’4” and just shy of 200 lbs having spent last season in the QMJHL putting up 62 pts in 62 games as a left shot center/wing. The reason he shot up some draft boards was his late season surge, he put up 37 pts in 37 games after a slow start to the season and he has represented Canada
at multiple Junior tournaments. At the most recent IIHF World Juniors, he posted 2 points in 5 games in a middle six role and has been linked to Penn State which would be a good developmental move for him.
Rankings
Below are rankings from Elite Prospects on where Maddox sits, as you can see he is mostly projected as a late first rounder:
- #15 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
- #16 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
- #17 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
- #18 by CAM’S CONSENSUS
- #20 by SPORTSNET/BUKALA
- #25 by HPR/MALLOY
- #28 by DAILY FACEOFF
- #28 by SPORTSNET/COSENTINO
- #31 by SMAHT SCOUTING
- #32 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
- #37 by THN/FERRARI
Dagenais best assets are his speed, agility, size and a laser of a shot:
“He’s on the rise overall. Dagenais is a two-way centre who is mostly deployed at even strength and the power play, but has the commitment to be used in a checking role if asked.” – Jason Bukala, Sportsnet
“Where Dagenais improved the most this year is his speed management. He understands better when to use his speed or when to slow down the play. Dagenais loves to use his speed and puck handling to move the puck from one end to the other. He is a solid puck carrier in transition and it creates plenty of scoring chances on the rush for him and his teammates.” – Jer Tremblay, McKeen’s Hockey
Similar to Morozov, most rankings still have him as a mid to late first, however there is very little consensus from about the 15th pick on, so some of the players could also slide back and be available for us in the 2nd round as well.
Let’s Go to the Videotape
This kid is an animal. Uses his size really well, and granted a lot of these highlights are from the Q (probably the “easiest” of the CHL leagues) his speed and tenacity jump off the page. He also has good edgework and agility for a bigger player. His shot and goal scoring are his best asset, he can wire the puck effortlessly but he also looks to have strong playmaking chops. In the highlight package below, he has a few Kucherov-ish one-touch passes from the right flank. I also think he has underrated hands, and while he doesn’t do anything spectacular, he is smooth at picking the puck off the yellow and handles bad passes well.
He absolutely buries a couple kids as well in the below highlights (watch from about 3:05-3:40) and has a real bull in a china shop mentality.
Shift by Shift
While listed as center, he primarily was deployed as a right wing. However, he took most of the offensive zone draws in the 3rd, and not sure if that is mostly game planning to get him in a shooting position.
He had some good moments, but I can see why he is still just a late first projected pick as he should be flat out dominating every shift in the QMJHL, and he just didn’t. He has some good moments, splits the defense using his speed toward the end of the first period and makes some slick passes on rush chances to his teammates. He is relatively sound defensively, and shows good tenacity staying on pucks.
Some of his shot choices weren’t great, but I can understand a guy like him choosing to shoot at this level. I also noticed a decent amount of puck watching, and a few times he didn’t the clear lane for his teammates that were carrying, or didn’t present himself as an good option for an outlet pass – often stationary along the right wing boards in the neutral zone. I’d also like to see a little more variety in his game, but as noted above by Jer Tremblay, he started to figure out how to change gears on attack.
In the third period he has a great sequence, where he strips the puck from behind, draws a hook and during the subsequent PP he shows great patience in the slot to find a teammate for their first goal. On their second goal he laid a perfect one-timer pass from the right flank which is harder than you would think. All in all a decent showing: two assists in a 4-2 loss.
My Thoughts on Maddox
There is a lot to like about him as a player: size, tenacity, attitude, shot. He doesn’t dazzle with moves, but his skating and explosiveness is evident. He is very effective in his game, and I do hope for his development’s sake he commits to the NCAA. He would absolutely be one of my top choices should he fall into round 2, there is a lot to like about him, but I’d also have to see how he progresses against bigger, better competition. A lot of the things he would need to work on can easily be coached in and his size and speed are very attractive building blocks. His ceiling is middle six center/wing combo with his likely long term floor as a bottom six C. Probably not what you want at 12, but I could be talked into him if Sunny trades back or he is still there in round 2.
What about you gang?
