Shamar Moses (RW, R, 6’1″, 206, North Bay Battalion, 05/06/2007)
Shamar Moses is a physically mature right-shot winger who possesses the tools to become a productive pro winger but remains a project in terms of consistency, game processing, and execution. He’s built like a power forward, sees significant usage on the power play, and can create with the puck — but still struggles to put together complete efforts night in and night out. The statistical profile, physical frame, and flashes of vision and passing ability warrant consideration, but his inconsistent compete level, shot quality, and defensive awareness are areas that must take a step forward.
Why Shamar Moses Should Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Pro Frame and Physical Tools
At 6’1″, 205 lbs, Moses checks the physical box right away. He averaged 0.73 hits per game, which isn’t overly high but shows a willingness to engage. When he commits to his physical game, he can impose himself — using size to protect pucks, battle along the wall, and get to the net front. His 1.96 Grade A scoring chances per game reflect that he’s consistently getting to dangerous ice and generating quality looks.
2) Playmaking Ability and Vision
Moses finished 2nd on his team in assists (36) and 3rd in points (48) while averaging 1.01 passes leading to shots per game, a good rate for a winger. He plays on the top power play unit (4:11 PP TOI/game) and has shown the ability to work the half wall and facilitate in-zone movement. While he owns a heavy shot, his decision-making and vision make him more of a facilitator than a pure shooter or finisher.
3) Improved Skating Mechanics
Moses has made strides in his skating, particularly with his ability to stop in an instant, start explosively, and make sharp directional cuts — all positives for a young power forward. He has enough straight-line speed to separate and push back defenders, and his improved edge control allows him to make hard cuts off the cycle. This area was a red flag early in his junior career but now looks like a net positive.
4) Tools That Can Translate to a Bottom-6 Role
Moses kills penalties, protects pucks, and shows flashes of detail with 1.85 loose puck recoveries/game, 13 puck battles/game, and 0.68 blocks/game. When dialed in, he plays with intent — pressing up ice, reloading in structure, and helping to control the momentum of the game. His ceiling may be capped, but there’s a pro toolkit in there, especially if he becomes more direct and focused shift-to-shift.
Why Shamar Moses Should Not Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Poor Defensive Impact and Lack of Consistent Effort
Despite playing heavy minutes, Moses was –20 on the season, forth worst on the team. That’s not just a byproduct of being on the ice a lot — it reflects inconsistent detail and urgency away from the puck. His puck battle win rate (45%) is substandard for a player with his size and strength playing junior hockey, and his 86% passing accuracy masks decision-making concerns when under pressure. He’s prone to hals-hearted backchecks and will stop moving his feet on plays that require full effort.
2) Low Shot Efficiency and Scoring Threat Concerns
Moses generated 4.2 shots/game but converted just 6% of his Grade A chances. His shot miss rate (0.96 per game) and block rate (1.11 per game) — shows predictability, slow release, and poor shot selection. Despite his frame, he does not yet score at the rate you would hope for a top-line winger playing over 17 minutes per game. There’s a skill mismatch between what he can do and how often he does it — and unless his shot becomes more deceptive and accurate, he won’t finish at the NHL level.
3) Game-to-Game Inconsistency
Moses plays well in spurts, then disappears for long stretches. He has first-line tools but executes with a lack of energy far too often. When the puck isn’t on his stick, he disengages or loses structure. There’s a floater risk here if the compete doesn’t level out. He had zero goals in his final 10 games and produced 3 assists in 6 playoff games while going –3. This raises questions about his ability to elevate when it matters most.
Projection and Outlook
Player Projection: 3rd line NHL upside when fully engaged, middle-six AHL player if inconsistency continues
Development Track: Needs 2+ years in the OHL and time in the AHL to learn how to work like a pro on a shift-to-shift basis
Draft Recommendation: Mid 4th-5th Round
Shamar Moses is a physically mature winger with pro habits in flashes, power play production, and the raw size/skill combination NHL teams covet in the later rounds. However, his lack of consistent effort, defensive impact, and shot efficiency raise red flags about his projection. If the compete level becomes a constant and his shot improves even marginally, he becomes a candidate for an NHL energy-line role with second-unit PP and or PK potential. Drafting him in the middle rounds is a calculated swing on upside — but if he doesn’t add consistent compete to his identity, he may stall as a productive AHL winger.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images