Jérémy Lauzon: Colorado Avalanche 2015 NHL Draft Profile
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The 2014-15 season was unfortunately cut short for the Colorado Avalanche. That means that here at Mile High Sticking, we have a long off-season ahead of us. While the off-season is filled with all different kinds of articles, regarding the playoffs (that we are unfortunately not a part of), Avalanche season reviews, and many other things, it also gives us time to focus on the Colorado Avalanche 2015 NHL Draft.
Today we are taking a look at QMJHL defenseman Jérémy Lauzon, who has risen up the draft rankings throughout the season and now projects as a second round pick
Name: Jérémy Lauzon
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Height, weight: 6’2″, 195 lbs
Team/League: Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, QMJHL
Stats (from eliteprospects.com):
GP |
|---|
G
A
P
PIM
+/-
60
15
21
36
88
12
Risk, Reward: 2.5/5, 3.5/5
Pro comparison: Marco Scandella
NHL-potential: 2nd or 3rd pairing D-man
Draft Range: 2nd round
Scouting report
For a long time, Jérémy Lauzon was considered a mainly defensive defenseman that can fill a shutdown role. He never scored a lot of goals and never recorded many assists. However, this past season he proved that he can also create scoring chances and support the offense. Lauzon recorded three times as many goals and twice as many assists as last year, as he scored 15 goals and 36 points in 60 games this past season.
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Lauzon was not really on anyone’s radar for an early pick, but he improved more and more throughout the season and rose up the rankings. He finished the season ranked 42nd among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting and 44th overall by Future Considerations.
The 6-foot-2 Canadian has excellent size for a two-way defenseman. He is a very good and mobile skater that moves well in all zones. Lauzon could add some muscle mass to fill out his frame, but he already tries to play a physical game. He is not afraid to use his body and drops the gloves when he has to. A very dedicated player that battles hard at all times.
Puck Prose
Lauzon did not transform himself into an offensive defenseman, he simply improved his offensive play and learned how to score. He is mainly still a shutdown D-man and recorded 88 penalty minutes last season.
In his own zone, Lauzon plays with a lot of confidence. He knows how to handle the puck and get past opponents. Furthermore, he plays very good breakout passes and can manage the puck to get it into the offensive zone.
When on offense, Lauzon likes to cycle around the blue line without pinching in too much. He plays decent passes and possesses a shot that is not outstandingly hard, but quite accurate.
In the NHL, Lauzon projects as either a pure shutdown defenseman or a two-way player, depending on how he continues his development.
Fit with the Avalanche
If the Colorado Avalanche decide to go for a forward in the first round, which is what we did in the FanSided mock draft, Jérémy Lauzon would be a great addition in round two. He is a really hard-working defenseman with very good upside that projects as a two-way defenseman for one of the bottom D-pairings.
Lauzon would need some more time in the QMJHL to mature, like most defensemen do. He would not help the Avalanche as soon as for example Zach Werenski would. However, a defense of Erik Johnson and Tyson Barrie, along with prospects Chris Bigras, Mason Geertsen, Duncan Siemens, Kyle Wood and Jérémy Lauzon could be really solid for a really long time.
Jérémy Lauzon is just one of many defensemen that could be selected in the early second round and become a very good NHL player one day.
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