2022 NHL DRAFT: OHL – Paul Ludwinski, C/W, Kingston Frontenacs

Generally speaking, Paul Ludwinski has been a bit of a tough player to get a read on this year. He came into the season as one of my favourite players from the 2020 OHL Draft crop, after watching him dominate the GTHL with the Toronto Marlboros. However, his performance thus far in his rookie year (and draft year) has best been described as inconsistent. Part of that has been due to an ever-changing role. He has played on the first line as a wing with Shane Wright. He has centered a checking line. And done pretty much everything else in between. The other cause of Ludwinski’s inconsistency has been his inability to blend his quickness and puck skill. There are times where he dazzles in transition and others where he struggles to escape the neutral zone because his feet are moving faster than his hands. As such, scouts have had a difficult time ascertaining Ludwinski’s true potential as a pro. If the hands catch up and he learns to slow the game down to make better decisions with the puck, then Ludwinski could easily develop into a top six forward and likely outperform his draft slot. If this does not happen, he still has the potential to be a long time NHL player because of his tenaciousness, defensive awareness, and ability to use his speed on the forecheck and to drive the net. Next year, if Shane Wright is in the NHL, Ludwinski could slide into the top line role for the Frontenacs and be given every opportunity to progress positively as an offensive player, especially given that Kingston should still have a decent supporting cast around him.

Skating 

A standout quality for Ludwinski, his straight-line speed allows him to be effective in transition with the puck, and a strong forechecker/backchecker without it. Ludwinski consistently applies pressure to puck carriers in all three zones, closing quickly with his impressive first step quickness. While usually a North/South attacker, Ludwinski does show the ability to use linear crossovers to build speed while altering direction, and he can look comfortable playing on his edges to cut back to the middle to help create separation or avoid stick checks. He pivots well too, allowing him to negotiate traffic and find success down low as he spins off checks, keeps his feet moving and helps to prolong possession for Kingston. Ultimately Ludwinski profiles as an above average skater in nearly every regard and his ability to further add quickness and greater confidence on his edges will be key to his success at the NHL level eventually.

A nice play in transition by Ludwinski that shows off his ability to alter direction quickly. He takes on Hamilton defender Gavin White (a terrific skater himself) one on one, fakes left, goes right and gets behind him for the glorious chance.

A gorgeous goal from Ludwinski recently which really showcases his speed and explosiveness. He splits both Peterborough defenders, catching them on their heels, and finishes on the backhand as he falls to the ice.

Kind of a nothing play, but I felt like it really showed all that Ludwinski had to offer as a skater. He uses a partial c-cut to protect the puck, then builds speed quickly out of the cut, using a few linear crossovers to help him gain the offensive zone. The pass and turnover at the end of the clip weren’t great, but the skating on display here is.

As mentioned, Ludwinski can use his speed to be an effective forechecker. Here he closes quickly on Vegas draft pick Artur Cholach as he retrieves a dump in, then separates him from the puck and is able to swing the puck out into the slot, just missing on the connection with Maddox Callens.

Grade: 55

Shot 

Ludwinski’s shot has the potential to be more of a weapon for him than it is currently. There are times where he looks the part of a high-end finisher and others where he struggles to find the back of the net, even on the easiest of chances. His best weapon is his one timer, which he uses effectively in transition, but he also has a quick wrist shot that he can unleash from the slot. He doesn’t shoot a ton and is probably best described as a pass first kind of player currently, however there is potential for him to be a better goal scorer if he can improve the accuracy of his wrist shot and increase velocity on every shot in his repertoire.

First an example of Ludwinski’s shot being a positive for him. He makes a great saucer pass to spring Matthew Soto, and then drives wide to become a passing option. He finishes with the one timer top shelf.

Now an example of Ludwinski missing an easy chance for a goal that he earned by beating his man to the net in transition. Ludwinski earns a lot of chances like this, especially when he plays the wing with Shane Wright, but finishing consistently has been an issue.

This example shows how Ludwinski just doesn’t have the utmost confidence in his shot and is, at times, pass first to a fault. He makes a great move to get into the slot, but then tries to force a cross ice pass rather than use a quick snap shot to try to beat the netminder.

Grade: 50

Skills 

Without question, this is the most difficult area of Ludwinski’s game to evaluate. There are moments where he absolutely dazzles with his one-on-one skill and creativity. He can turn defenders inside out with his ability to blend elite pace with stick skill and puck control. Then there are many more instances where Ludwinski’s feet are moving too fast for his hands. He loses control trying to make moves at full speed. He fails to secure passes in transition. He bobbles the puck when pressured by defenders in the offensive zone. He over skates the puck. So which Ludwinski is the real one? It is easy to forget that this is Ludwinski’s first season in the OHL after last year’s hiatus. There have been numerous instances of players who take time to develop consistency in their skill application when they like to play at a feverish pace. Liam Foudy and Alex Formenton are two great recent examples. One has to believe that as Ludwinski matures physically and takes on a larger role in Kingston, his ability to blend his quickness and skill will improve. It is the classic, “his hands have to catch up to his feet.” If they don’t? Then it probably does limit Ludwinski’s impact as a pro player, perhaps relegating him to a high energy bottom six role. But there is also the potential for him to improve further as an impact offensive player and someone who is more suited to playing through the middle of the lineup.

There are moments like this where Ludwinski dazzles in transition.

Or this. Ludwinski can take advantage of defenders down low who don’t eliminate him physically by avoiding stickchecks with his quick hands.

Or this. He turns another defender inside out and gets a great look from the slot.

But then there are instances like this where Ludwinski fails to secure an outlet cleanly and struggles to maintain possession.

Or instances like this from the recent Top Prospect’s Game where Ludwinski just can’t gather the puck when also attempting to build speed. There is an anxiousness to his game at times, where he tries to rush the play before he even has possession.

Another example of Ludwinski simply over skating the puck, again from a desire to try to push the pace before he has cleanly secured possession.

Grade: 55

Smarts 

I believe part of the problem with Ludwinski’s inconsistent offensive play is his desire to push the pace of play at all costs. Yes, his hands need to catch up with his feet. But he also needs to learn to alter pace to be less predictable. A lot of the time Ludwinski will turn the puck over by trying to drive through defenders, because he either can’t beat them with speed, or he can’t beat them with a one on one move. His ability to set the tempo is intriguing, but he could learn a lot from teammate Shane Wright in his ability to slow the play down to survey the ice, allowing teammates to catch up, ultimately giving him more options as a passer. There are times when attacking with speed is the best option. There are others where a simple chip and chase is the better option (especially given his speed). And then there are others where Ludwinski could use a c-cut or pivot to alter pace after gaining the offensive zone. It is about learning to select the right strategy at the right time and that will take his game to another level, rather than playing at a feverish pace 100% of the time. Ludwinski does show great potential as a playmaker though, even if his reads with the puck are not consistently the best ones. His anticipation in the offensive end is sound and it helps him to both sniff out scoring chances, and make great finds to set up teammates. This anticipation and awareness is applicable in all three zones too, as Ludwinski works hard to apply back pressure and force turnovers. His speed allows him to recover well, and he is never out of a play, combining his physical tenaciousness with a strong stick to be effective in the defensive end and on the penalty kill. Ludwinski has the potential to develop into a high end two-way forward and the positional versatility he has shown this year (going back and forth between center and the wing) has to be alluring to NHL scouts.

Ludwinski loves to use his speed to track down pucks and his vision below the goal line is among his best attributes. He cuts off the pass behind the net and sets up a great scoring chance from the slot.

Nice passing play here between Ludwinski and Shane Wright. He could have received that pass and tried to force his way to the net, but he knew Wright was working the give and go and he waited for him to break free before sending the pass back.

Another great passing play below the goal line from Ludwinski. This sets up a goal for the Fronts.

But there have been too many instances like this from Ludwinski this year as he attempts to drive through opposing defenses with little success. Would have loved to have seen Ludwinski chip and chase on this play to try to secure possession down low. Or he could have peeled off just inside the blueline, throwing on the breaks and pivoting to his backhand to allow the other Fronts players to gain the line. If at that point there still isn’t a good option, he could again, just dump the puck.

However, Ludwinski’s positioning and awareness in the defensive end stands out in a positive way. This is a great defensive play as he covers for his defender to cut off the pass to the slot, then he starts the breakout effectively.

Grade: 55

Physicality/Compete

As mentioned, Ludwinski has a nonstop motor in all three zones and it is a large reason why he has been such a versatile player for the Frontenacs this year. He is not an overtly physical player per say. No one will confuse him with Raffi Torres. However, he will use his body to help separate players from the puck and is very aggressive in puck pursuit. He loves to get after it on the forecheck and his effort on the backcheck is consistent as he looks to clog passing lanes or apply back pressure with stick lifts or tie ups. Moving forward, as Ludwinski puts on muscle, one could probably expect him to become an even more tenacious player. As is, he drives the net, plays through contact, and plays up tempo.

Great tie-up here by Ludwinski on the backcheck as he lifts the stick of fellow 2022 draft eligible forward (and fellow high energy player) Brady Stonehouse. Ludwinski makes these types of plays on a relatively consistent basis.

More 2022 draft eligible on 2022 draft eligible crime as Ludwinski bodies Owen Beck off the puck in the neutral zone to force a turnover. Again, he is not a big hitter, but he will engage physically to help secure possession or apply back pressure.

Grade: 55

OFP: 54

A note on the 20-80 scale used above. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity.