Luca Romano (RW, R, 5’11”, 178, Kitchener Rangers, 06/25/2007)
Luca Romano is an offensively inclined, right-shot centerman with a high compete level and top-six skill traits. He is a well-rounded, 200-foot player who processes the game at speed, displays excellent puck control in tight, and possesses a slippery evasiveness that allows him to attack seams with pace. Romano is a primary offensive creator for Kitchener, logging heavy power play usage and centering their top line, and he stood out at the Hlinka-Gretzky tournament with his blend of skill, tenacity, and puck pursuit. He plays a mature game for his age, consistently involved in retrievals, transition routes, and puck support. However, his faceoff inefficiency, underwhelming strength through contact, and low offensive efficiency (shot quality, pass completion, and puck protection under pressure) suggest there is still a significant developmental runway required before he can project as a pro center.
Case For Drafting Luca Romano:
- Plays Fast, Thinks Fast, Competes Hard
Romano’s ability to play at pace and process the game in motion is a major separator. His offensive zone instincts are sharp—2.6 grade “A” chances/game is an elite number—and he does most of his damage through strong scanning habits, quick hands, and smart detailed movement. He wins puck races and executes skilled touches with his feet moving. - Top-Six Offensive Role & Responsibility
He logs 3:20 of power play time per game, is a leader among Kitchener’s forward group in offensive zone usage, and consistently plays against top defensive combinations. He already has 51 points in 67 games and has produced at the international level (3 goals in 5 games at the Hlinka), showing he’s capable of scaling his game with quality teammates. - Underrated Puck Anticipation & Transition Impact
Romano is elite in loose puck recoveries after shots (1.77/game) and averages 4.1 takeaways/game, both of which rank among the best in his peer group. He reads plays early and exploits bad spacing or miscommunication with impressive quickness. His skating, hands, and timing make him dangerous in transition both as a handler and as a lane-filler. - Continual Growth & Physical Maturity Potential
He’s reportedly grown almost a full inch since late 2022 and continues to add strength to his frame. Despite being just 172 lbs, he plays with a willingness to drive through contact and has demonstrated he can pressure bigger defenders and win inside ice with effort. As he matures physically, this could become a legitimate asset.
Case Against Drafting Luca Romano:
- Efficiency & Execution Lag Behind Usage
While he plays big minutes and creates chances, his shot-to-goal conversion (12% on grade “A” chances) and pass completion (85%) are underwhelming given how much he touches the puck on the power play. He’s still learning how to simplify his game—his 5.5 giveaways/game are too high, and he can force plays unnecessarily. - Below-Average Faceoff Results & Lack of Physical Leverage
Romano wins just 46% of his draws, despite taking 15 faceoffs a game. This is a weakness for a draft-eligible center and speaks to a need to significantly improve core strength and hand/forearm power. He also receives 0.88 hard hits/game, which is too many for a player who relies on quickness and puck movement. - Needs More Shot Threat Consistency
For a player logging over three minutes of power play time, 4.5 attempted shots and 2.8 shots on net per game is below what you’d expect from a primary weapon. Compounding this, 0.81 shots/game blocked and 0.81 missed means more than a third of his attempts aren’t getting through—pointing to a release that needs more deception, quicker trigger, and better timing. - Not Yet a Line Driver at the International Level
Romano produced at the Hlinka, but in 12 combined international games (U17 and U18), he hasn’t consistently separated or imposed himself (4 goals, 1 assist). He’s been described more as a secondary scoring option or facilitator than a dominant play-driver at that level. For a top-six projection, that ceiling uncertainty matters.
Projection & Recommendation:
NHL Projection: Middle-six scoring forward (LW/C) with second-unit PP usage
Draft Range: Late 2nd to early 3rd round
Comparable: Matias Maccelli
Development Timeline: 3–4 years
Final Recommendation:
Target Romano in the 55–80 overall range as a skilled, pace-driven offensive center with upside. While he doesn’t yet project as a high-end NHL producer or dominant transition center, his habits, motor, and blend of playmaking and attacking tools suggest a player who can grow into a middle-six role with second-line upside. Strength gains and efficiency improvements will be critical, but if he adds explosiveness and learns to simplify inside the dots, Romano could become a reliable offensive contributor and matchup-capable two-way center at the NHL level.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images