Luke Green Scouting Report: 2016 NHL Draft #37

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The first overall pick of the 2014 QMJHL Draft, Luke Green has been a big part of the resurgent Saint John Sea Dogs over the last two years. He put up 10 goals and 25 assists for 35 points in 61 games for Saint John during the regular season, and added three points in the playoffs as the Sea Dogs advanced all the way to the QMJHL Semi-Finals before falling to the Shawinigan Catarates. Green’s twin brother Matt is a forward on the Sea Dogs. Green has international experience as he was part of Team Canada White at last years World Under 17 Hockey Challenge, scoring a goal and three assists for four points in the five game tournament. He also played for Team Orr in the CHL Top Prospects game this year.

Luke Green Scouting Report: 2016 NHL Draft #37

Defense — shoots Right
Born Jan 12 1998 — Bedford, Nova Scotia
Height 6’01” — Weight 186 lbs [185 cm / 84 kg]

Luke Green is an elite-level skater with outstanding mobility on the blueline. He skates the puck out of danger in his own end, and can lead the rush through the neutral zone. He can pinch down low and race back to his own end defensively. Green has good edgework and pivots and transitions from offense to defence (and vice-versa) quickly. He has good balance in his lower body allowing him to be strong on the puck, and to win puck battles on the boards, or clear the front of the net. This should improve as he fills out his frame, and adds some core strength.

Green is also a very good stick handler, and his confidence with the puck improved as the season went on. He held the puck longer, looking for openings and smart passes, and became deadly in starting the transition game, and good on the point of the power play. He could stand take a few more chances pinching down low on the powerplay and being more involved in the offence. Green’s slap shot is decent enough, but could use more power. This may come as Green fills out his frame and adds upper-body strength over the next several years. He does have a good wrist shot but could stand to improve his release. There is room to be a bit quicker which would help him avoid the traffic when making plays at the blue line, and get his shot on net.

Green’s offense was slightly down this season, which has been a concern for some. However there have been great improvements in his defensive game. Green’s awareness and positioning is much improved over his rookie season. He also has shown better hockey IQ, reading and anticipating opponents a lot better. This has led to him being able to create turnovers in his own end. Green has improved his gap control as well, keeping opponents to the outside. By no means is he a finished product defensively and there is still room to grow, particularly by adding more muscle to his frame, but Green has shown a strong commitment to doing so.

Luke Green was much hyped when he came into the QMJHL, and while he has not quite lived up to the hype of a first overall draft pick, he has grown this season and shown great strides towards becoming a solid defender. If he can continue to develop, he could be a top four defenceman at the next level. Green’s game is reminiscent of Tyson Barrie of the Colorado Avalanche, but this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on his talent level.

The following is a compilation of Luke Green highlights, taken from youtube.