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Cameron Lund Scouting Report: 2022 NHL Draft #59

Cameron Lund 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 Cameron Lund Scouting Report.

Cameron Lund was drafted by the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats in the first round, 17th overall at the 2020 QMJHL American Draft and by the Green Bay Gamblers in the second round, 24th overall at the 2020 USHL Futures Draft. Deciding to keep his NCAA eligibility, Lund opted for the USHL route. He played 62 games for the Gamblers this season, scoring 25 goals and 25 assists for 50 points. Lund also played in one game for the US National Team Development Program U-18 squad, picking up an assist. He was named to the USHL All-Rookie Second Team. Lund is committed to attending Northeastern University and playing for the Huskies next season.

Last summer, Lund played for Team USA at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. He was one of the best players on the American team, putting up four goals and an assist for five points in four tournament games. In 2020-21, Lund played two games for the Gamblers, scoring his first USHL goal. He also played in three US High School games with Cushing Academy. He spent the majority of the season playing for the Jr. Bruins of the NCDC. Lund scored 17 goals and 34 points in 40 games.

Cameron Lund Scouting Report

Centre — shoots Right
Born June 7th, 2004 — Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Height 6’2″ — Weight 192 lbs [188 cm/87 kg]

Skating

Lund has a very nice stride with a good knee bend and ankle flex. His strong and powerful stride gives him very good top-end speed and acceleration. This allows him to play a 200-foot game, getting in quickly on the forecheck and being back in his own end for his defensive responsibilities. Lund could stand to work on his edgework and agility though. He needs to work on his crossovers, as he can lose speed and power in his turns. His cuts are also a little wider than one would like to see in order to fool defenders and weave through traffic. Lund is strong on the puck. His good balance allows him to fight through checks and protect the puck. He also does a good job of winning battles on the boards and establishing his position in front of the net.

Offensive Game

Lund has a hard and accurate wrist shot and snapshot. He also has the quick hands to get his shots off quickly. His release can be deceptive, which handcuffs goalies at times. Lund can force defenders back with his speed and then fire a shot on the net, using the defender as a screen. He also loves to walk off the boards and fire a puck on the net. Lund is not afraid to get to the dirty areas of the ice. He will take the puck to the net when given the opportunity. He will also screen goalies and cause havoc in front of the net when he doesn’t have the puck. His size, strength, and quick hands allow him to score on deflections, rebounds, and quick one-timers.

Lund plays a straightforward, physical game. He forechecks effectively, putting pressure on opponents and creating turnovers. He also wins races and battles for loose pucks. Lund uses his size and his long reach to protect the puck down low and play in the cycle. He is not the most creative passer as he doesn’t make a lot of dangerous plays to create chances for teammates. Instead, Lund finds the simple pass to keep possession of the puck and then looks for open ice. He does the same in transition through the neutral zone, generating zone entries by finding an open teammate and then heading for open ice rather than weaving through defenders.

Defensive Game

Lund is also effective in his own end of the ice. His speed helps him to get back quickly, supporting the defence with backpressure against the rush. His good work along the boards also translates into defending against the cycle and keeping opponents to the outside. Particularly quick or shifty opponents can give him issues at times though. Away from the puck, Lund is strong positionally. He maintains good gap control and is disciplined about cutting down passing lanes. When a turnover is created, Lund is quickly able to transition to offence, either with a good first pass or by skating the puck himself. He could use a bit more work in the faceoff circle though.

Projection and Comparison

Lund has the potential to develop into a two-way middle-six centre if he reaches his potential. With his size, skating, work ethic, and defensive awareness, he will quickly become a coach’s favourite no matter where he plays. However, there are still some questions about his offensive potential. While Lund is likely to develop an NHL-caliber shot, there are questions if his playmaking will be good enough at the next level to play in the top-six and on the power play. He can also add muscle to his frame and is likely to have the time to do that at Northeastern. Lund could be a two or three-year project for the team that drafts him, with some AHL time expected after his college career is done. His game is reminiscent of Christian Dvorak. This is a stylistic comparison only though and not one based on skill and ability.

Highlights

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

 

Check back later for our next NHL Draft article.

 

Cameron Lund Scouting Report Main Photo:

Ben Kerr

Ben Kerr

Ben is a credentialed sports writer from just outside Toronto, Canada. A lawyer, he has a highly analytical approach to writing. Ben is the COO of Last Word On Sports INC. Most of his writing can be found in the hockey department, though he follows and writes on other sports as well.

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