**Originally posted in November 2019**
Patrick Moynihan (4.5 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C+, 2019 New Jersey Devils #158) Forward
Patrick is a hockey player. Obviously, but we mean he is a Hockey Player. He loves the game. Loves to compete. He doesn’t cheat. And will put in the effort to be an NHLer. So if this is the case and we feel Patrick will play in the NHL after his career at Providence College why is he only a “C+” rated NHL Grade? Well sometimes draft picks take longer to get there. A first rounder will generally be viewed as a player who will be knocking on the NHL roster within a few seasons of his draft. While a late rounder is a player an organization is willing to take a longer term view on. And this is where Patrick comes in as a Sixth Rounder selected at #158 by New Jersey lastyear. He spent two seasons playing with the USNTDP and banged shoulders every practice with the best US draft class ever. With the US Team he was never really counted on or looked at as a player who was an offensive player, but instead was a player the coaching staff new they could move around the lineup and he would always respond and play well. The US players universally said that he is the most underrated player on that team and we feel the same way. So how did he respond in his draft year? He put up 46pts in 64 games scoring 19 goals as a player who moved up down the lineup and really did not get significant power play time. That sounds like an NHL hockey player to us. We feel Patrick is going to continue on his long term path and play 4 years at Providence, but when he turns Pro the Devils are going to have themselves an NHL ready player. Nate Leaman and his staff do an incredible job of preparing their players for professional hockey. He is very detailed orientated and his players know that to be successful at PC they need to focus on the little things that make a player (and team) successful in the long run. A huge plus for Patrick’s long term projection. So here is our NHL report;
(1) Brain – Patrick is a very smart player who sees both the offensive and defensive sides of the game well. He does not cheat on 50-50 pucks. He has tremendous game awareness that will allow him to be dependable when the game is on the line. He has the ability to play any where in the lineup and be effective. Patrick does not force opportunities and plays each shift with a purpose.
(2) Vision & Poise – He plays the game with his head up and can see late plays developing early. That may not make sense, but Patrick plays with his head on a swivel. He sees players changing. He is aware when someone falls down and he can create an odd man offensive opportunity or if he is needed to bail someone out defensively because his teammate has lost a stick or lost an edge. He has high end poise with the puck and will not make “hope plays” just to get on the high light reel.
(3) Feet – Powerful stride and strong edges. Patrick is not a burner, but we feel he will continue to get faster, quicker and more agile as he matures a Providence. Skating is not an issue now and he will only get better over the next few years.
(4) Compete & Effort – He does not take a shift off, never mind a night off.
(5) Contact or Physicality – Patrick plays the body to eliminate scoring threats or to create turnovers. He is not a banger. He takes smart angles and will finish a player without the risk of a penalty.
(6) Release – He has a good release that will only get better while he is at Providence. We would like to see him shoot through screens more often, but he shoots with his head up and with a purpose. Patrick drives the net looking for rebounds after he shoots the puck.
(7) One Timer Ability – Although we would not classify Patrick as a shooter, he has the ability to fire poor passes from multiple angles. Again, this is a skill we feel that will develop while at PC and he may possibly be a considered a shooter when he turns pro.
(8) Body Language – Patrick is a leader. We feel he has the potential to wear a letter in college and professionally.
(9) Special Teams Potential – We do not feel he will be a first unit power play guy in the National League. We do feel that Patrick will be a consistent second unit option who has the skill set to play along the mid-wall or goal line. His hockey IQ and willingness to do the little things make him a natural NHL penalty killer.
(10) Intangibles – We feel that Patrick is a “Hockey Player” who puts the team first and will do anything to win. This sounds like something every player should do, but sadly some guys have that “me first” attitude. He has the attitude and skill level that makes his teammates better and his honest work ethic will be an influence on the entire team as well. We feel Patrick will have a similar development path to former NHLer Chris Drury.