Scouting report: Alexis Lafreniere is an elite offensive talent

When the NHL announced the draft lottery format back in May, it was just a funny technicality that the Penguins were still "in" on the Alexis Lafreniere sweepstakes.

There were so many hoops to jump through, though. It wouldn’t really happen, right?

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In the first phase of the lottery, there was just a 24.5 percent chance that a qualifying-round team placeholder would even get the No. 1 pick. A one in four chance? Slim odds. And even if that were to happen, the Penguins would actually have to lose the five-game series to the No. 24 seed Canadiens. No chance that would happen, right?

After the draw of a lottery ball and a series result that very few people saw coming, the Penguins have a 1-in-8 shot at earning the No. 1 pick and earning the right to draft Rimouski Oceanic forward Lafreniere.

STRENGTHS

NHL Central Scouting's final rankings report paints Lafreniere to be an elite offensive player.

“Exceptionally smart player with top-end speed and pull-away gear,” the report said. “Great at carrying the puck and leading rushes. Executes under pressure and has great vision and anticipation – very good quickness with the puck and exceptional ability to change speed. Elite puck skills and visions to create plays in the offensive zone.”

NHL COMPARABLES

Lafreniere said in an NHL video conference between top prospects and the media that he tries to model his game after that of Patrick Kane.

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