David Lewandowski (LW, L, 6’1″, 180, Saskatoon Blades, 02/20/2007)
David Lewandowski is a versatile, skilled winger with legitimate offensive tools, excellent spatial awareness, and a competitive motor. He plays a cerebral, calculated game with flashes of high-end puck skill and creativity. He was the team’s best plus-minus player (+21) despite only ranking 7th in team scoring — strong two-way impact and off-puck details. He projects as a potential middle-six NHL winger who can contribute at even strength and on the power play if his pace and physical consistency continue to develop.
Why David Lewandowski Should Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Excellent Two-Way Results and On-Ice Impact
Lewandowski finished +21, best on a Saskatoon team that had a 61-point scorer and multiple older contributors. That, paired with 16:20 TOI/game and his deployment in all three zones, makes him a high-trust player who coaches rely on for responsible minutes. He draws penalties (0.35 PEA/game), blocks shots (0.32 BL/game), and competes in puck battles (14 C/game, 49% win rate) at a respectable rate for his age.
2) Skilled, Creative Playmaker With Finishing Touch
Lewandowski averages 3.4 shot attempts per game and creates 1.93 scoring chances per game, which is excellent shot quality for his volume. He shows strong offensive instincts, particularly off the rush, with quick strong hands in tight and the ability to freeze defenders with his edgework and lateral fakes. His 1.24 pre-shot passes/game and 87% passing accuracy highlight his ability to create offense and opportunities in all three zones.
3) Skating and Balance Are Above Average
He’s not a burner, but his stride is powerful and efficient, and his edge control and agility in tight spaces allow him to maintain possession and gain separation. He shows control on entries and strength on his edges to protect pucks. At the 2024 Hlinka, he showed the ability to stay upright and balanced even when opponents were hanging on him.
4) Power Play Threat With Strong One-Timer and Vision
He logged over 2:00 of power play time per game, usually on PP1, and plays with poise in these sequences. He has a high-end release, can catch and shoot in stride, and shows confidence from the faceoff circle and slot. His 11% scoring chance conversion is modest but shows promise if he can improve one-timer mechanics and timing.
5) Consistent Motor and 200-Foot Game
Lewandowski doesn’t cheat for offense and is a trusted player in late-game situations, with strong tracking habits, detailed stick positioning, and the ability to close gaps on the backcheck. He’s a well-rounded forward who works off the puck and helps drive team success even when not on the scoresheet.
Why David Lewandowski Should Not Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Lacks Dynamic Element or Pace to Separate at Next Level (Yet)
Lewandowski’s skating is solid, but his pace of play is not always consistent, and he can struggle to separate against elite defenders. He needs to improve explosiveness and straight-line speed to become more of a transition threat. NHL pace and pressure will test whether he can create space the way he currently does in the WHL.
2) Shot Mechanics and Goal Scoring Still Developing
While he gets to good areas and has a quick release, his accuracy and deception need work. He misses the net often (0.79 S-/game) and has a high rate of blocked shots (0.61 SBL/game) — he’ll need to fine-tune his shot selection, accuracy and begin to shoot purposefully at every opportunity. He scored just 15 goals in 52 games—a good number but not elite for a player often deployed on the PP.
3) Lean Frame and Modest Physicality
At 6’1″, 177 lbs, Lewandowski will need to add muscle to consistently win battles and handle contact at the NHL level. His 0.96 hits per game is a good sign for a developing power-winger and he competes hard, but he isn’t yet dominant in contested areas. There’s room to improve his leverage and overall physical edge.
4) Limited Short-Handed Usage / Not a Faceoff Option
Lewandowski played only 0:01 per game short-handed, indicating he’s not yet trusted as a penalty killer. He also took very few faceoffs and while he won 67%, it’s too small a sample to assess center capabilities at the next level. His path likely remains as a pure winger.
Projection & Fit
Player Type: Two-way skilled winger with middle-six upside
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward who can play PP2, match against middle lines, and drive possession
Lewandowski checks a lot of the boxes that NHL teams look for in a complementary winger. He competes, he creates, and he doesn’t hurt you defensively. His development curve is heading in the right direction. While he may lack standout explosiveness, he thinks the game at a high level, plays a mature game, and projects as someone who can help an NHL team win in a variety of ways if he continues to round out his physical tools.
Draft Recommendation: 4th–5th Rounds
Lewandowski is a highly competitive, intelligent player with offensive skill, versatility, and a strong defensive foundation. He’s not flashy or dominant, but he’s dependable, creative, and competitive, and those are three traits that NHL coaches value. If the skating takes another step, he has clear middle-six NHL utility with power play value. A development bet worth making.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images