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Julian Lutz Scouting Report: 2022 NHL Draft #47

Julian Lutz Scouting Report

Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the daily column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day I will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2022 NHL Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! We have a complete listing of our draft articles here. Today we bring you our Julian Lutz Scouting Report.

German hockey continues to improve. Leon Draisaitl is one of the best hockey players in the world. Moritz Seider was one of the best rookies in the NHL this season. And recent drafts have seen a number of young German players selected. The latest member of Germany’s golden generation of hockey players is Julian Lutz. Born in Weingarten, Germany, Lutz has come up through the Red Bull Hockey Academy, as the energy drink giants continue to grow their influence in European sports.

Lutz started the season at the Hlinka-Gretzky tournament. He put up two goals in four games. He played his club hockey for EHC München in the DEL, Germany’s top men’s league. Unfortunately, a back injury limited Lutz to just 14 games. When he did play, ice time was limited for the 17-year-old and he picked up one goal and three points. Fortunately for Lutz, and NHL scouts, he was able to play in the IIHF Under-18 World Championships. While the German team was a bit overmatched in the tournament, Lutz impressed against the best players in his age group. He put up two goals and four points in four games.

Julian Lutz Scouting Report

Left Wing — shoots Left
Born February 29th, 2004 — Weingarten, Germany
Height 6’2.25 — Weight 187 lbs [189 cm/85 kg]

Skating

Lutz is a very good skater. He has a powerful stride and a quick first step. This gives him very good acceleration. Lutz wins races to loose pucks. He can also pull away from a defender once he gets a step on him. He also has very good top-end speed and is dangerous in transition. Lutz combines this with very good edgework and agility. His ability to make quick cuts and change directions allows him to weave through traffic and get away from defenders both with and without the puck. Lutz works hard along the boards and in getting to the front of the net. His stride allows him to fight through. However, this can be improved as he gets stronger. Lutz can add muscle to his frame. This will help him to be stronger on the puck as well as to improve his balance.

Offensive Game

Lutz has a well-rounded offensive skill set. He has good hands. Lutz marries this with his skating to carry the puck on the rush and create plays in transition. He can also weave through traffic, find open space and generate efficient zone entries. Lutz gets in quickly on the forecheck. He forces the defence to move the puck quicker than they want to. This can lead to turnovers and scoring chances.

Once in the zone, Lutz has a good shot. His one-timer is accurate and has good power. He also does a good job of shifting his feet and his hands to get his shot off.  Lutz also gets decent power on his wrist shot, though he could improve his accuracy. He puts too many wrist shots into the goalie’s chest. His release is above average. There is room for improvement in these areas though. Once Lutz bulks up and adds upper-body strength, his shot could be even stronger. He does a good job of finding the soft spots in the defence and getting open to take a pass from a teammate and get his shot off.

Lutz can also play the role of playmaker. He can control the puck on the half boards and make passes to teammates to set up scoring chances on the power play.  He shows poise with the puck. Lutz can speed up the play or slow it down as necessary to give his teammates the opportunity to get open. He also does a good job of taking the puck to the dirty areas of the ice. When he sees an opportunity, Lutz is willing to take the puck to the net to make a play.

Defensive Game

Lutz’ defensive game is a bit of a work in progress. He backchecks hard and is willing to support the defence against the rush with back pressure. He is also willing to battle for loose pucks down low and help against the cycle game. However, his positioning needs work. Lutz can get himself out of position chasing the puck. This means that his man is open. He also needs to do a better job of reading the play and cutting down passing lanes. Lutz is willing to put in the work but needs some coaching and film work in order to succeed at these aspects of the game. Increased strength will also help him to reach the next level.

Projection and Comparison

Lutz is a talented prospect but is very raw. After missing time due to the pandemic in 2020-21, and then missing almost all of last season with a back injury, this is not that unusual. He is a project and will need time. Expect Lutz to play in the World Juniors in August. He will then likely return to Germany, where he can play a season in the country’s top men’s league. After that, he will need more time in high-level European leagues and the AHL. If he reaches his ceiling, Lutz could become a versatile top-six winger who can be a complimentary piece to a strong line. His game is reminiscent of Roope Hintz, but this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill and ability.

Highlights

The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Julian Lutz that are available on youtube and Twitter.

 

 

Check back tomorrow for our latest 2022 NHL Draft Article.

 

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