Scouting Reports: US – Jack Badini, Luke Martin, Mikey Anderson

Ryan Wagman looks at a trio of prospects out of the US including projected third rounders out of the USHL in Jack Badini and Mike Anderson. Luke Martin of Michigan rounds out the group, ranked just outside the third round at number 98.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. 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.

Jack Badini, Courtesy of the USHL and Hickling Images

Skating: At first, Badini may seem like an average-ish skater. Keep watching him, as he can and will turn on the jets. He has an extra gear that he uses to great effect, especially when killing penalties. While I would like to see him at high gear more consistently, his top speed is definitely above average. Grade: 55

Shot: Badini finished sixth in the USHL in regular season goals and tied for second in postseason markers. His copious scoring rates were as much to do with his positioning and anticipation as they do from the strength of his shot. He scores many of his goals off the rush or through being positioned to complete the work of his teammates. The wrist and snap shots are his tools of choice. Grade: 55

Skills: Nothing fancy, but he can handle and protect the puck at high speed, to his credit. While his regular season points were heavily skewed towards goals, he does show a nice passing touch, good vision and playmaking instincts. Often played on a line with two other high-pace, responsible players. May be able to produce more playing on a more traditional skill line. Grade: 50

Smarts: This is where Badini truly shines. He is a true 200-foot player who demonstrates consistent high-level commitment to taking care of his own end. Strong sense of positioning sees him involved in the heart of the action in all three zones. The type of player for whom it is natural to gather a rebound in his own zone and immediately begin the transition up the ice. Was the primary penalty killer on the team with by far the best PK in the USHL, killing 90.3% of man-down situations. Regularly uses his wheels to start odd-man rushes while killing penalties. Scored three shorthanded goals in the regular season and added another pair in the postseason. No surprise that he will be attending Harvard next season. Grade: 60

Physicality: Badini has roughly average size and strength. Is not the most physically overbearing player, but has the core strength and confidence to play in the dirty areas of the ice. Holds his own. Grade: 45

Summary: Early in the season, Jack Badini was not really on the draft radar. He is a second year draft eligible, and a third year player in the USHL. Over his first two seasons combined, he had 14 points across 84 games. He broke out this season in a big way, scoring a goal nearly every other game. He also led all players in points in the postseason as Chicago won the Clark Cup for the first time in their history, with 17 points in 14 games. He does not get too much attention, but he should be considered as a strong choice in this third or fourth rounds. He has high end speed, is an ace penalty killer and is one of the higher IQ players I was fortunate enough to watch this year.

Skating: For his size, Martin is a fairly impressive skater. His edge work is promising. His reverse skating is especially strong. Although he lacks something in terms of top end speed, hampering his win rate on puck races, his backwards skating is very good and he uses that ability very well to keep rushing attackers to the outside. Grade: 55

Shot: Not really much of a shooter at this point in his career. Looks to pass the puck to a teammate before unleashing one on the goalie. Averaged slightly under 1.5 shots on net per game as a freshman with Michigan. His history through U18 and U17 levels – and before – suggests that this is not an exception. To his credit, when he does snap one off, it tends to hit the net. Grade: 45

Skills: More of a first pass player than a high end puck mover. When he does get a hold of the puck, he seems to have a plan for it, in other words, a target in mind for a short pass. Passes are accurate, if not overly creative or adventurous. Grade: 50

Smarts: Martin plays a very mature game in his own end. While his reads are sometimes a bit suspect in his own end, that is to be expected as one of the younger players in high level NCAA Division I hockey. He keeps tight gaps, works hard to stay between the puck carrier and his own net. Rarely pinches in the offensive end. Would like to see more patience with the puck and better awareness of potential outlet passes as opposed to panic ejections. Tries to tie up his man physically, perhaps compensating for not having a terribly active stick.  Grade: 55

Physicality: Has the requisite size and strength, although his physicality comes more from engaging his man and walling him off from the net as opposed to big hits or playing an aggressive game. He has the attributes to play a meaner game and succeed with it. Grade: 55

Summary: Luke Martin is a low upside, high floor prospect. A true freshman this year with the fames Michigan program, the USNTDP grad was not the reason for the Wolverines’ lackluster season. A defensive defenseman even back in his days in the national program, Martin is likely never going to be a significant offensive presence.   That said, he could carve out a long career as a stay-at-home stalwart in the mold of a Brooks Orpik. 17 years ago, Orpik was a first rounder (granted, Orpik was tougher than Martin). These days players who bring size in a third pairing blueliners role are no more than third rounders, but there could be honest value here with the right team.

Mikey Anderson, Courtesy of the USHL and Hickling Images

Skating: Solid, though unexceptional mobility. Skating is most impressive in coverage. As he is not a blazer, he can sneak up on people, especially in the offensive zone, due to strong first few steps. Grade: 55

Shot: Not really a strength of Anderson’s. He is used by Waterloo extensively from the point, but more due to his plus vision and passing acumen than due to anything from his shot. The shot lacks strength and he will further denigrate the tool by shooting it prematurely, before a decent lane opens up. Grade: 45

Skills: Good vision and understanding of system makes him a solid puck mover. Nothing fancy but solid enough in terms of the modern possession game. Grade: 50

Smarts: Plays with strong understanding of the game and his role in it. Shows his hockey roots. Both his father and grandfather played at the collegiate level and his older brother Joseph was drafted by New Jersey in the second round last year before going on to help USA win the most recent WJC and getting Minnesota-Duluth into the NCAA championship game. Reliable in all three zones, and responsible in coverage.   Grade: 55

Physicality: Plays a physical style while lacking the core strength to be very effective at it. He finishes his checks and plays his man hard in coverage. He also takes his share of penalties. That all said, when he attempts a show of force, such as an open-ice hip check, he lacks the explosive finish to contain, much less stop, his man. E for effort, but I have doubts this style will suffice at higher levels. Grade: 50

Summary: Committed to follow in his big brother’s footsteps with Minnesota-Duluth, Mikey Anderson is a solid pickup in the middle rounds of the draft. He does not do any one thing exceptionally well, but has a little bit of everything you want  to see in a modern, mobile blueliner. He skates well, can play the puck, and has above average hockey sense in all three zones. I expect him to play a more defined role once he gets to UMD (which may not be until 2018-19), and how well he acclimates to that definition will determine how far his career will go. He could mature into a solid second pairing defender, or he could top out in the minor leagues.