On Sunday March 1st we watched the Hurricanes take on the Hitmen in Calgary. The game had a playoff feel from the opening face-off as the intensity ran high. Below are the evaluations of the Lethbridge prospects who are eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft.
Danila Palivko (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Defense
Danila is a player who has continued to improve as the season has progressed. He made sound decisions in the defensive zone while using his big body and long reach to take away time and space. He has above average skating ability and has loose hips while pivoting. He is still developing his first step, but has good skating technique that we feel will translate into quickness as he matures. His outlet passes were crisp and Danila had the poise to look off forecheckers in transition. In this game he saw time on the second power play and his long reach made him an asset while killing penalties. This is his second season in North America playing for Lethbridge. Game Grade: B-
Alex Cotton (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C+) Defense
Alex was most notable in transition and on the power play. He has a quick first backwards thrust which allows him to hold the offensive blueline for that extra split second longer resulting in tight gap control and dump ins. He retrieved the puck with confidence and a purpose while also working hard to be an option for his partner. Alex is very good at activating to create the second wave of attack or to create odd man situations and this game was no different. On the power play he makes a quick first pass, settles poor passes smoothly and has a rocket of a shot that is difficult for goaltenders to control. Game Grade: B
Logan Barlage (4.5 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C+) Forward
Logan’s big frame was on full display in this one. As a center he was strong on face-offs, provided consistent low support in the defensive zone and did a very good job staying below the puck. There were a few times that Calgary’s smaller quicker forwards tried to use their elusiveness against Logan, but he showed patience by keeping his upper body over his feet and using his strength to end the cycle quickly. He was the bumper on the first power play and was set up a few times for quick one timers which he was able to put on net with authority. In the long run Logan will need to continue spending time in the weight room working on his quickness and lower body strength, but in this viewing he looked faster than we remembered and was a positive player for the Hurricanes. Game Grade: B
Chase Wheatcroft (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Forward
Chase used his quick feet and active stick to attack and be an aggressive F1 creating turnovers in both the neutral zone and offensive. He finished checks with authority and did not get “looked off” by Calgary’s skilled defensemen. He did an excellent job beating the opposition to the front of the net, taking the goalie’s eyes away and getting his stick on point shots. Although Chase played in a forth line role, he was noticeable every shift and was rewarded for his energy / compete by scoring Lethbridge’s first goal. Game Grade: B
Alex Thacker (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — Free Agent) Forward
Alex is another Hurricane forward who has excellent skating ability. He willingness to stop on every puck, his explosive first step and his top speed are the traits of a high level penalty killer and that is exactly where he thrived. Alex was on the first kill unit. He maintained shooting lanes, had an active stick and he made 200′ clears when the unit created a turnover. He was also very effective on the cycle. He was a water bug with or without the puck and regularly lost his man generating a few grade scoring chances by using his feet to create space. Game Grade: C+
Justin Hall (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Forward
Justin played a simple straight forward game. He is not flashy, but he has the trust of his coaching staff as was evident by him being used late in the game to protect the one goal lead. This is the second game over the past few weeks where Justin has been leaned on by the coaches to protect the lead. He shows excellent awareness away from the puck. His stick is active in passing lanes, his head is on a swivel and it is very obvious that he is vocal. Game Grade: C+
Jett Jones (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — Free Agent) Forward
From a previous report on Jett – “Jones is a big hard working forward who has good form for his size and can chip in some offense on a shift here and there. Hard to move in down low play and can protect the puck around the net allowing his teammates to look for space so he can find a lane or crash it to the net. Jones will finish his hits on the forecheck and comes out with puck retrievals more often than not due to his strength. On line rushes he displayed some vision, but isn’t consistent in hitting his targets. A heavy body that is still developing his foot speed, but has a decent overall top speed. Will need to develop more consistency in his overall game, but there his size makes him an intriguing prospect.”