C Brendan Leipsic (2012, 89th, NSH; 2015 traded, TOR)

[Aaron Vickers]

Not a lot of buzz for Brendan Leipsic on the board, which I find a little weird considering how many players the Portland Winterhawks have developed for the draft the last few years (15 players in NHL camps this year).

He's had a bit of a rocky start to his season. He suffered a concussion at Canada's Hlinka selection camp on a hit. Finally healthy, he came back for one game before getting a 5-game suspension for a hit on Mackenzie Royer.

He's back now, but down the depth chart in Portland. He's got 7 goals and 13 points in 23 games this season. Comes from the ilk of Brad Ross. Pain to play against, feisty, great hands. I would think he's a steal to start the third round.

“You always want to play your best and maybe you aren’t getting the most ice time, but playing as a team and when the team starts to win you’ll get noticed more,†Leipsic said.

http://futureconsiderations.ca/leipsic-learning-from-experienced-winterhawks/

Is there anyone paying attention to this kid?

 

[Qubax]

I've noticed him some in following Barstchi, but I didn't know much about the kid.

 

[DangerMan]

On my last set of rankings, I had to knock him down a bit due to his slow start and the fact that he is tiny. He's a slick player who I think will score well a the WHL level but the pros will be a hard adjustment for him.

 

[R S]

He competes hard and has amazing offensive tools. Just wish he was a bit bigger. I still see him as a solid prospect, similar to players like St. Croix and McColgan from the 2011 NHL draft.

He'll get picked for sure and he has the offensive tools to be an NHLer at some point, IMO.

 

[MS]

Not a lot of buzz for Brendan Leipsic on the board, which I find a little weird considering how many players the Portland Winterhawks have developed for the draft the last few years (15 players in NHL camps this year).

Not sure why it's weird - Leipzic is a 5'9" midget on pace to score about 40 points this year.

He's chippy, has a bit of skill, and will be a very good WHL player in the next year or two ... but his pro potential is pretty limited. 5'9" centers with probable bottom-6 upside aren't exactly a sought-after commodity.

Barring a huge upturn in his production, he's a 6th or 7th round pick if he gets drafted, which isn't necessarily a certainty.

Brad Ross - who you compare him to - is 6'1" and had 70 points in his draft year ... a bit different can of worms.

 

[pdxshark]

I see him often. Lots of upside but lots of downside. Big time pest, has tremendous offensive skills but he relies on them too much instead of using players around him. Could be way off base but I see him very similar to Brad Marchand. Still have him in the mid rounds because of his size but if he tops out, he'll be a similar player.

 

[KingJet*]

reminds me a little bit of Marchand, but the kid is a huge idiot, such as the incident vs Tri-City, plus I know him personally. Hes alright but I know Anaheim is most likely to draft him because of Teemu.

 

[TootooTrain]

Despite all the controversy surrounding Portland, the kid is flourishing. Just completed the hattrick in a matter of minutes. 4th in WHL scoring, buzzes around the ice, hits everything. 44 pts in 25 games, he's on a rampage. What's not to like about him?

 

[TootooTrain]

There's another one. 4 goals tonight. Force fed Portland the win.

 

[puckfan13]

Love, love, love this prospect. His compete level cannot be taught, he has that insane look in his eye that you know means he will do literally whatever it takes to win. Think Nashville has a keeper here. They're good at finding these guys with high motors like Gabriel Bourque too.

 

[JurassicTunga]

I wanted the Flames to pick him up at the draft. Nice pick by Nashville.

 

[shello]

Kid is psycho but thats what I love about him as a player.

 

[jebs]

Despite all the controversy surrounding Portland, the kid is flourishing. Just completed the hattrick in a matter of minutes. 4th in WHL scoring, buzzes around the ice, hits everything. 44 pts in 25 games, he's on a rampage. What's not to like about him?

His size.... haha

But yeah, really wanted the Oilers to draft him. Great prospect.

 

[R S]

Ranked him 29th in the WHL last season and it's safe to say that he's impressed me this year. Work ethic is through the roof and his offensive abilities have taken a huge step forward. Still think his game will be tough to translate to the NHL, but that's not to say he won't do it and become an effective player with Nashville. Fun player to watch and will be a fan favorite if and when he gets there.

 

[Top 6 Spaling]

On draft day, I heard numerous comparisons to Tootoo. Any truth to that? Would love info/opinions on this kid, we get no junior hockey here in Nashville

 

[MrFunnyWobbl]

Draft position?

 

[Teekko]

Draft position?

3rd Round 89th Overall

 

[SarcazemKadri]

Too small to play that style and score in the NHL

 

[theIceWookie]

Too small to play that style and score in the NHL

Just like Brad Marchard right?

Seriously this argument needs to die. Size can be an impediment but it is not ever a reason to say "this player will never make it because of his size". It's an obstacle but it can be overcome.

 

[arsmaster*]

Just like Brad Marchard right?

Seriously this argument needs to die. Size can be an impediment but it is not ever a reason to say "this player will never make it because of his size". It's an obstacle but it can be overcome.

I'd be interested to see if Brad Marchand could play like Brad Marchand if he wasn't on a team with Lucic, Chara, Thornton, Mcquaid, etc etc

 

[SarcazemKadri]

Just like Brad Marchard right?

Seriously this argument needs to die. Size can be an impediment but it is not ever a reason to say "this player will never make it because of his size". It's an obstacle but it can be overcome.

How does this argument need to die? Majority of "small" players never make the NHL, am I wrong to think otherwise? What is so different about Leipsic?

I for one do not get excited about high scoring, high energy, undersized junior players, they come a dime a dozen. They can play that way against kids, but not men.

 

[couture23]

Too small to play that style and score in the NHL

Oh stop it with the size argument, Martin St. Louis happily counters that.

If you have the drive/motivation combined with skill, everyone has the same chance.

 

[cozandeffect]

I've heard the Ryan Callahan comparison. Would that be a fair one?

And if he is it's not like Callahan plays with a bunch of protectors the way Marchand does and he does just fine.

 

[YEGJuniorFan]

Too small to play that style and score in the NHL

You can't just look at the size, you have to look at how they play. Leipsic is fearless, super competitive and a good skater. I think he has a chance.

 

[Double Dion]

I've only seen him play live once this year. Rattie scored 4 goals that game and the kid who impressed me was Leipsic. He had a whale of a game. He won puck battles all night long against players like Adam Lowry. Lowry doesn't lose many of those.