The Colorado Avalanche could win big if the often-injured but very-talented Hendrix Lapierre falls to their #27 draft position.
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The Colorado Avalanche scouts are sure to be hard at work looking at all the prospects coming up in the 2020 NHL Draft. Everything is unusual this year, and the draft probably isn’t even taking place until late September or early October — gives a whole new meaning to the lament, “Is it October yet?”
NHL scouts have a lot more time to consider the prospects this season. unfortunately, that fact probably won’t help them too much. The prospects aren’t playing, and there probably won’t be a Scouting Combine. By the time GMs call in their selections this year, memories of specific prospects will be fuzzy.
That reality becomes especially challenging for teams like the Colorado Avalanche. The team has the #27 selection this year. Top 10 prospects are pretty easy, and even the next five or so picks should be good for your team. After that, you start picking first-rounders with holes in their games you hope your development team can fill.
That might be the case with center Hendrix Lapierre out of the QMJHL. The 6-foot, 179-pound prospect seems to have some exciting skills. He’s ranked #13 by Central Scouting for North American players. However, scouts have him going between #17 to #27.
Lapierre could well fall to the Avalanche’s slot, so the scouts are certain to be considering him. So, let’s see what he’s about.
Hendrix Lapierre Stats
Unfortunately, an upper-body injury kept Lapierre out for a lot of this season. So, he only played 19 games. It was his second season in the QMJHL.
In his first season, he played 48 games for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. He earned 13 goals and 32 assists in the regular season, which is great for a rookie. In the playoffs, he played four games, earning 3 goals and 2 assists.
He was back with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens this year. In his 19 games, he has 17 points — 2 goals and 15 assists. That’s tough for his draft year.
Hendrix Lapierre Highlights
Ben Kerr of Last Word on Hockey calls Hendrix Lapierre a “boom or bust prospect” because the young center has had big injuries in all of his last three seasons. Kerr observes that he’s talented but can’t stay healthy. He adds, “ has the tools to be a real steal if he falls to the late first-round or early second round.”
That’s good news for the Avalanche.
Kerr goes into more depth concerning Lapierre’s skills and talents. He notes that the center is and excellent skater with “outstanding top-end speed.” He’s difficult to defend and “a creative playmaker. Kerr continues:
"“Lapierre’s ability to speed up the play or to slow it down allows him to control the pace of the game. He sets up on the half boards on the power play and acts as a quarterback. Lapierre also plays a solid defensive game. He uses his high-end hockey IQ in all three zones.”"
Kerr estimates Lapierre needs to put on weight to increase his strength. Interestingly, Lapierre is listed as anywhere from 165 to 181 pounds — a 16-pound differential that’s crucial for an 18-year-old. He may already be putting on that muscle mass.
Let’s watch Lapierre in action:
He has some power skating to his style. I think with strength, he’ll be able to stay healthy.
Hendrix Lapierre and the Colorado Avalanche
Hendrix Lapierre could be a gamble for a team, and the Avalanche love to gamble. The last time they had a 20-something draft selection, they gambled for the leadership they wanted, but it didn’t work out.
Might they gamble again? Lapierre is exactly the kind of player Colorado loves — multi-dimensional with electric skating and offensive skills. The team can also afford the time it will take to get his development up to par.
Most mock drafts have Lapierre going just a few slots before the Avalanche pick. I think if the prospect does fall to the #27 slot, Colorado won’t be able to turn him down.
The Colorado Avalanche aren’t going to pick a player we’ll see anytime soon this year. That’s ok. Hopefully they can get a steal like boom Lapierre that will pay dividends down the road.