Brendan Gaunce to Canucks: Video Highlights, Scouting Report and Analysis

 

Position: C/LW

Height/Weight: 6'2", 201 lbs

Shoots: Left

DOB: 3/25/1994

Youth Team: Markham

Current Team: Belleville (OHL)

The NHL continues to evolve into a league that favors bigger, stronger players rather than small, quick ones. There is no shortage of skilled speedsters in this year's draft, but many of them may not translate well to the next level.

One player in particular who seems like a perfect fit for the league, however, is forward Brendan Gaunce. 

At 6'2" and 201 lbs, Gaunce already has ideal size, but he has plenty of room to grow, as well, since he is just 18 years of age.

Gaunce can be the center that so many teams coveted, but perhaps he wasn't taken as highly as he should have been due to the knocks against his game.

It was hard to see too much wrong with him during his second year with the Belleville Bulls of the OHL, however. Gaunce put up top-notch numbers and was the heart and soul of the team.

He didn't set the world on fire as a rookie in Canada's best junior league, but he made major strides this past season, with 68 points in 68 games, including 40 assists. The OHL rewards pure skill much more than the NHL does, so Gaunce's point production shouldn't be ignored.

Gaunce has far more value outside his offensive ability, though, as he may be the best two-way forward in the entire draft. 

He isn't afraid to go to the dirty areas, as he is perfectly willing and able to score at close range and set up his teammates.

Gaunce is excellent defensively, as well, and is very solid in the face-off circle. He's also responsible in his own end and has a physical edge to his game that should translate well to the next level.

Aside from guys like Nail Yakupov, Gaunce is one of the most NHL-ready players in a draft that many feel lacks top-end talent.

There is obviously some risk when it comes to this selection because Gaunce is unlikely to become an elite NHL player, but the odds of his being an important contributor are quite good. On the low end, Gaunce is probably a third-line center with excellent defensive capabilities and the ability to score 20 goals.

On the high-end, however, perhaps he can become an elite, two-way second-liner reminiscent of the Vancouver Canucks' Ryan Kesler.

It's impossible to say for sure how much he will develop, but I don't expect Gaunce to disappoint as an NHL player by any stretch of the imagination.