Taylor Raddysh Scouting Reports: 2016 NHL Draft #40

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Playing on a line with Dylan Strome and Alex Debrincat has its advantages, but don’t think of Taylor Raddysh as a passenger on the Erie Otters top line this season. Raddysh was a key contributor to the line, doing much of the dirty work that helped his highly skilled teammates produce, while also showing that he has plenty of skill of his own. Raddysh put up 24 goals and 73 points in 67 games this season. He added four goals and 10 points in 12 playoff games, before the Otters were swept by the London Knights in the OHL’s West Final. Raddysh has some international experience, playing for Team Canada White at the 2015 Under 17 World Hockey Challenge. He also appeared for Team OHL in the Canada/Russia Super Series and played in the CHL Top Prospects game. Taylor’s older brother Darren Raddysh is a defenceman on the Otters.

Taylor Raddysh Scouting Reports: 2016 NHL Draft #40

Right Wing / Left Wing — shoots Right
Born Feb 18 1998 — Caledon, ONT
Height 6’02” — Weight 202 lbs [188 cm / 92 kg]

Taylor Raddysh has very good size and good speed. He has good acceleration which allows him to gets in quickly on the fore check. Once there, he finishes his checks, punishing opposing defenders, causing turnovers and creating offense. He could be even better if he could improve his first step. This would allow Raddysh to win more races for loose pucks than he already does. Raddysh has good agility, and can weave through traffic, both with and without the puck. He can cut to the outside on a defender and once he gets a step is hard to stop. Raddysh has the power in his stride to fight through checks and get to the net, and the balance to be strong on the puck when being hit by opposing defenders.

Raddysh is a real goal scoring threat. He has a very good wrist shot and a quick release. With his strong hockey IQ, Raddysh is able to find openings in the defence to set up for a one-timer. He goes hard to the net and pounces on rebounds. Raddysh protects the puck well down low on the cycle, using his body and his stick handling to keep the puck away from the opponent. He has excellent vision and has really improved his play making this season, making tape-to-tape passes to teammates and threading the needle through tight spaces to create scoring opportunities. Raddysh uses his size, strength and balance to win loose pucks on the boards, and create increased offensive opportunities for his linemates.

Raddysh’s defensive game is a work in progress. He comes back on the back check and is willing to play a gritty game in his own end. However, Raddysh needs to work on his defensive positioning. He can get himself out of position looking for big hits, or by puck chasing at times. He also needs to keep his feet moving when defending in his own end.

Taylor Raddysh has the talent to be an effective contributor in a team’s top six. While he will likely never be the main guy on a line, he does have the skill to keep up and play with other talented players, and is willing to use his size and strength as assets to create offence. He has some things to work on, and like many young prospects needs to add muscle going forward, but there is real upside here. Raddysh’s game is comparable to Chris Kunitz, but this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on talent.

The following is a compilation of Taylor Raddysh highlights, taken from youtube.