Updated Comments in BOLD
Wyatt Schingoethe (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B-) Forward
(1) Brain – For the most part Wyatt is aware of what he is, which is a dependable strong two way forward who creates havoc on the cycle or forecheck. On the forecheck he takes angles that eliminate the defenseman’s options, is able to break up aerial seem passes with his stick and looks to punish defensemen by following through on all of his checks. As an F2 he is patient along the wall and he he is one of the few forwards on this list who consistently stays patient as an F3. He has very good ice awareness in both five on five and special teams situations and he plays when the game matters most. In the defensive zone Wyatt is a responsible weakside forward who does not cheat on 50-50 pucks. He plays with his head on swivel, has his stick on the ice and understands when to collapse to the net.
(2) Vision & Poise – Around the net and on the cycle Wyatt has his head up and has the ability to beat defenders off of the wall. He can find open teammates in the high slot or a defenseman who has crashed the back door. Through the neutral zone Wyatt keeps it simple and looks to gain the zone before trying any ridiculous plays at the lines. As the season progressed we’ve noticed that Wyatt is very good at finding the activating defenseman. Whether it be finding them as a late attacker in the offensive zone or utilizing them on as another option on the breakout. Now this could be coaching and systems related or it could be as simple as the game has slowed down for Wyatt.
(3) Feet – He is much faster than he is given credit for. But with that being said, he will need to get quicker laterally and in ten foot areas if he is going to carve out an NHL career. There is no denying Wyatt’s power and explosive first step anymore. Straight ahead he is quick and wins races to pucks. We still feel improved lateral quickness make his college and professional coaches look his way more often.
(4) Compete & Effort – We have never seen him take a shift off and this will have to be the case in his professional career as well.
(5) Contact or Physicality – This part of the game will never be an issue for Wyatt. He seems to understand that punishing the opposition on every opportunity will give him more space on the ice later in the game (or series). We’ve never seen him fight, but he carries himself as if he knows intimidation is part of the game. As we stated earlier, Wyatt is hard on the other team’s best players. This is hard to do and something that takes gumption to do on a regular basis.
(6) Release – Wyatt needs to continue working on shooting with his feet moving and his deception. He can get it away quickly, but we would love to see him add this skill set to his game. Wyatt has worked on this skill and it is noticeable. His shot is dangerous on the rush and his release is much more deceptive. His shot produces second chances and causes chaos in front of the net.. We have also noticed an improved release while in the high slot. He does not dust it off and he hits the net.
(7) One Timer Ability – He can fire it. Wyatt has added a sweeping wrist shot from the high slot. He disguises his release and makes the goalie make a save.
(8) Body Language – Wyatt plays a heady heavy game that he knows can grind on opponents. He is exactly the type of player that a coach will not on his bench during a seven game playoff series. He is not afraid to finish his checks on the other team’s best players and he will certainly give kidney shots after the whistle.
(9) Special Teams Potential – Wyatt has the frame and offensive skill set to be a consistent net front presence on the power play. He has the mentality to be a high level penalty killer, but needs to get quicker in ten foot sprints to be an NHL killer.
(10) Intangibles – Wyatt is hard to play against. Plain and simple. He grinds his opposition down and is the type of player who will score a big goal in a seven game series. While at Denver we know his quickness will improve and this will only raise his potential, but he will make his money as a dependable third line guy who makes life miserable for the other team’s top players.