With the 131st overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, the Nashville Predators selected defenseman Spencer Stastney.
Here’s what the experts have said about him leading up to the draft.
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Spencer Stastney
defenseman
US National Team Development Program (USHL)
18, 5’10”, 180 lbs.
RANKINGS
McKeen’s: #151
HockeyProspect.com: #73
Central Scouting: #93 (North American skaters)
TheDraftAnalyst.com: #131
EliteProspects’ NHL Draft Black Book
“Spencer is an undersized defenseman who uses a quick first couple of steps to evade the forecheck, this also allows him to maintain gap control and close it when the opportunity calls for it. His decision making in the defensive-end is a plus, he recognizes the time and space he has to make a play while under pressure and is consistent at recognizing when he has a step on an opposing player both when transitioning the puck out of the zone and when he’s attempted to initiate a defensive-play. His size limitations hamper his ability to make separating hits or weigh heavy on opposing players along the boards. To compensate for this, he uses an active stick to deflect shots as well as disrupt opponents who are attempting to beat him one-on-one.”
TheDraftAnalyst.com’s NHL Draft Report
“Underutilized puck-moving playmaker from the blue line who made the most of his bottom pairing minutes on what some consider to be the deepest NTDP blue line in several years. Stastney is a very good skater with excellent agility and smarts. He loves to carry the puck with speed through the neutral zone and take the puck deep into opposing territory. Stastney feeds off his forwards well, and anticipates when he’s expected to jump into a gap with the hammer cocked. He’s also a battler who doesn’t give up on plays and will continue to shove cycling forwards with authority. Stastney, who is committed to the University of Notre Dame, has a hard, low shot that he puts on net with regularity. He can act as an instant breakout and beat back the most aggressive of forechecks.”