Alex Pharand

Big Right Centre-wing who plays a straight-forward, disciplined game: High energy backchecking, physical forechecking, proactive defensive zone positioning, and intelligent off-puck routes in the offensive zone. But there’s so much more there. Pharand chains pass receptions with dekes and shots. Hesitation moves and handling fake freeze defenders, which he often uses to prepare passing lanes. He overwhelms opponents along the boards, escapes, then drives the inside. Instantly turns tricky passes into powerful wristers, but he knows when to make the extra pass to turn a chance into a sure thing.

These plays aren’t gamely features. He’s usually too passive with the puck, refusing to use space or carry the puck in transition. Perhaps he lacks confidence, or perhaps it’s linked to a poor awareness of space.

When Pharand makes plays, he looks like a potential NHLer, one that can play without speed and agility as a strength. But without the flashes, he looks more like organizational depth. The chance that he could become a three-zone, skilled forward with positional versatility on a team’s third line remains, hence Pharand’s inclusion, not because he protected a teammate at the Prospects game.