Quinn Kennedy (C, L, 5’10”, 171, Rimouski Oceanic, 02/06/2006)
2024 NHL Draft Grade: C+
Season stats 2023/24
Games played: 57
Goals: 21
Assists: 24
Points: 45
+/-: 8
Penalty time: 28:00
Penalty time against: 34:00
Average per game
Time on ice: 15:28
Power play time: 02:35
Short-handed time: 00:14
Shots: 5
Shots on goal, %: 54%
Faceoffs won, %: 47%
Puck battles: 12
Puck battles won, %: 43%
Accurate passes, %; 87%
Hits: 0.12
Hits against: 0.81
Overview: Quinn Kennedy is 5’10”, 170 pound left shot forward who demonstrated good hockey sense and playmaking abilities throughout his NHL draft season. His individual puck skills are above average, and he consistently displayed relentlessness on the forecheck and game defensive awareness in all three zones. Kennedy used his quick first step to win races to loose pucks and maintained a solid two-way presence. For the season he was below 50% in the face-off circle, but again he consistently showed the awareness to maintain net side positioning in the defensive or neutral zone. He showed the ability to find an extra gear when needed. His elusiveness and puck-handling skills in traffic stood out, complemented by a hard and accurate shot.
Strengths:
- Hockey Sense: Kennedy possessed good hockey IQ, which allowed him to read plays quickly and make intelligent decisions consistently.
- Playmaking: His vision and passing ability made him unpredictable on line rushes and below the tops of the circles in the offensive zone
- Forechecking: Kennedy’s relentless pursuit of the puck made him a disruptive F1 and an aggressive F2.
- Face-offs: Although he finished the season under 50%, he showed proficiency in the face-off dot, winning key draws in various game situations.
- Speed and Agility: Kennedy could shift into an extra gear, providing a burst of speed that made him elusive and dangerous in tight spaces.
- Shot: His shot was both hard and accurate, making him a scoring threat from the extended house.
- Two-Way Play: His commitment to playing a solid two-way game ensured he was dependable defensively while contributing offensively.
Areas for Improvement:
- Physical Strength: To excel at the next level, Kennedy needs to build upper body strength to win more puck battles, particularly at the center position.
- Physicality: Scouts may have had concerns about his perceived lack of physicality and “jam,” which could impact his effectiveness against stronger opponents.
Comparison: Kennedy’s style of play resembles that of Riley Kidney, a 2nd draft choice of the Montreal Canadiens and fellow Nova Scotian who exploded offensively the season after his draft (38 points to 100 points). Like Kidney, Kennedy is expected to see a significant increase in his point totals with a larger role and more top-six minutes in 2024/25.
Projection: Kennedy’s adaptability and intelligence on the ice suggested that he will continue to improve with experience and dedication to his off season strength training. Despite NHL scouts shying away due to concerns about his lack of physicality and strength, we feel the combination of his game processing, pace and puck skills make him a promising long term prospect. His ability to consistently elevate his game indicated a bright future, with the potential for his point production to skyrocket as he assumed a more prominent role.
Overall, Quinn Kennedy is a player with upside, and his continual development is anticipated to make him an asset at higher levels of play.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images