Everett Baldwin (D, R, 5’11”, 169, St. George’s School, 01/15/2007, Providence)
Everett Baldwin is a 5’11’, 175-pound right-shot defenseman who has emerged as a solid NHL Draft prospect for 2025. His blend of mobility, physicality, and two-way play makes him a potential selection, especially as he continues to develop in the 2024-25 season.
Strengths:
Skating and Mobility: Baldwin is an athletic and mobile defenseman with a smooth, powerful stride. His quick feet and agility allow him to transition the puck up the ice efficiently, making him a reliable option for creating clean breakouts. His ability to skate both forwards and backwards at a high level enables him to maintain tight gaps, cut down angles, and recover quickly when needed.
Two-Way Play: Baldwin excels as a two-way defenseman, contributing effectively at both ends of the ice. Offensively, he shows good poise at the blue line, making smart decisions to keep plays alive, and his shot from the point can create scoring opportunities. Defensively, he uses his body well, applying physicality to win puck battles and protect his zone. His stick positioning is consistently strong, allowing him to disrupt plays and generate turnovers.
Physicality and Competitive Edge: Baldwin plays with a noticeable physical edge, engaging in battles in all three zones. He doesn’t shy away from contact, delivering solid hits and winning battles along the boards. His strength and balance allow him to outmuscle opponents in tight spaces, making him tough to play against. He’s also willing to stand up opponents in open ice, adding a layer of intimidation to his game.
Puck Handling and Passing: Baldwin is confident with the puck, showcasing the ability to handle it under pressure and make quick, accurate passes. He has demonstrated strong decision-making in transition, often finding teammates with precise outlet passes that help his team transition from defense to offense. He’s also capable of threading passes through tight lanes, setting up his teammates for quality scoring chances.
Hockey IQ: Baldwin displays a high level of hockey intelligence. He’s able to read plays well, position himself effectively, and make calculated decisions both with and without the puck. His awareness in all three zones, combined with his ability to anticipate plays, enhances his impact on the game.
Areas for Improvement:
Offensive Confidence and Consistency: While Baldwin has shown flashes of offensive potential, scouts will be watching to see if he can bring more consistency in his offensive contributions. He has the skill set to be more of an offensive threat, but he needs to become more confident in joining the rush and using his shot more frequently. Developing a stronger shot will also add another layer to his offensive game, particularly from the point.
Puck Management: Baldwin can sometimes overhandle the puck, which can lead to turnovers. He will need to make quicker, more mature decisions with the puck, especially when under pressure. Simplifying his game in certain situations will help him minimize mistakes and maintain possession more effectively.
Strength and Physical Maturity: At 175 pounds, Baldwin still has room to add muscle and physical strength to his frame. As he continues to mature physically, adding bulk will help him become even more effective in battles along the boards and in front of the net, where he occasionally gets outmuscled by bigger opponents.
Outlook:
Everett Baldwin possesses many qualities that NHL teams covet in a modern defenseman. His skating, mobility, and two-way ability, combined with a physical edge, make him a well-rounded prospect with significant upside. If he can continue to develop his offensive game, improve his puck management, and add strength to his frame, Baldwin has the potential to be a valuable asset at the NHL level. Scouts will be closely monitoring his progress during the 2024-25 season as he aims to solidify himself as a mid-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images