On Wednesday February 19th Neutral Zone NHL was in attendance for the Rimouski Oceanic at Moncton Wildcats overtime thriller. Below are the game evaluations for Rimouski’s NHL prospects;
Alexis Lafreniere (5 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — A) Forward
Game Grade: B+, Lafreniere continues to make it look easy at this level–tallying his 71st and 72nd assists of the season in this one, for a total of 101 points in 46 games played. He is a skilled passer, a powerful skater and strong in possession. He gives effort, but makes it look like he’s out for a casual skate. His best asset is the ability to find and create space, as well as his sense of the game and ability to read plays. #1 overall in June.
Dmitry Zavgorodniy (4.5 Star Amateur Rating, 2018 round 7 #1998 by Calgary Flames, NHL Grade — C+) Forward
Game Grade: A-, Zavgorodniy is a smaller, skilled, right-shot forward. The Calgary 7th rounder from 2018’s Draft was an important player for Rimouski here–scoring two goals, one on a great catch and release shot on the PP to open the scoring and one in tight to the net at even strength late in the 3rd to tie the game at 3 forcing OT. The game-tying goal was a great example of his skill–kicking the puck from his skate to his stick quickly and finishing on the ice. He showed good quickness and edge work as well.
Cedric Pare (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, 2017 round 6 #173 overall by Boston Bruins, NHL Grade — FREE AGENT) Forward
Game Grade: B+, Paré is a big boy, listed at 6’4 and 212 pounds. The 1999 born forward was taken in the 6th round of the 2017 NHL Draft by the Boston Bruins but went unsigned. He is having a tremendous overage year playing alongside the talented Alexis Lafreniére–tallying 36 goals and 48 assists for a total of 84 points in 58 games, good for second in the league behind his teammate. Paré put up 1 goal on the PP here on a heavy one-timer from the half wall, as well as an assist on the game-tying goal at even strength late in the 3rd on a puck he put toward the net. He is not the fastest skater, but he uses his size well to protect the puck and obviously has finishing ability. He plays big minutes and takes a majority of Rimouski’s draws. He will get looks as a free agent in the pro ranks.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Game Evaluation: William White