C Oliver Moore - University of Minnesota , NCAA (2023, 19th, CHI)

[NTDP]

I've mentioned in posts before that I really don't like how Moore utilizes his teammates. I often find he has tunnel vision and only has one thing on his mind - attack goal at top speed and take a shot no matter how poor the angle. Power play, even strength, doesn't matter. Despite his talent, he never creates space for his linemates or makes them better players. This is an example of what I'm talking about - you have a 3 on 2 for days and the result of the play is no shot on goal.

You have two options here - either a) hit Fine immediately or b) take the puck wide, draw the defender to you and as soon as he turns, hit Fine high. Instead Moore, decides to skate into Fine's lane and take a shot which is easily defended, stick on puck and out of play.

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By itself, this is a nothing play. But I've seen these type of sequences all year. It's only going to get harder to create offense as you advance levels and the skating advantage narrows. The frame, speed, and skill is Roope Hintz esque. I just question if Moore has what it takes between the ears to get to that level.

I think right after this happened the camera showed Muse behind the bench and he was pretty agitated and was sternly talking to his team.

 

[95snipes]

I have to push back against this. I think one of the things that makes him so dangerous is that he has poise at top gear. His hands and mind can keep up with his feet. He can change speed on a dime and loves to cut back or delay to find teammates. I’m not saying his set up game is high end, but in no way is it a weakness. He has plenty of poise as a passer. He showcases this often on powerplay. In the game today he had some great looks. Overall, a good game one, albeit vs a weak Latvian squad

Does he have moments of tunnel vision? Absolutely. However, he’s amazingly effective as a shooter and has scored a ton of goals on that exact play you showcased. I want him taking that shot

I’m curious where he ranks for you?

Personally, I’m extremely high on him. He is the best skater in the draft. His speed and edge work are elite by NHL standards. He’s an automatic zone entry. As I said above, what’s more impressive is that his hands can keep up. He also possesses a great shot. His curl and drag release is top notch and he can finish from all over the ice and can finish eat top speed. As others have mentioned his motor is also elite. He never takes a shift off. That extends to both ends of the rink. He is a ferocious puck hound. To find some common ground, I agree that the use of teammates could be better and if he can improve that area it could unlock a truly elite level for him. The better he becomes at utilizing that area of the game the more dangerous his speed and shot become

He's a great skater and the tools are there. I'm not denying that.

My issues are purely decision making or IQ related if you want to call it that. Off the rush it's either skate in full speed and rip a shot or circle the zone until he runs out of room. There's no understanding of how to use teammates to create or manipulate space. Something Perreault, for example, does so well. There's really no creativity or imagination to his game. There's no understanding of when to slow the play down. It's always blindly attack net full speed.

Over the course of the year, I've seen way too many low percentage plays from Moore for my liking. Shots from the corner. Shots off the rush on the powerplay in 1 on 2. Moore's never seen a shot he doesn't like. People use the linemate argument in his favor (which I think is weak, he plays on NTDP afterall), but I question if he can play with skill players without ruining the line. I think if you want to maximize Moore (talking as a projection to the NHL here), you need to put him with players that excel at forechecking/puck retrievals and don't need the puck on their stick to be effective.

I have Moore 23 on my list right now, but it's far from finalized. I think that speaks to how strong the top 20 is for this year as much as it speaks to me being fairly lukewarm on Moore's game. I fully expect Moore to go in top 10 of the actual draft come June. The skating specifically will be hard for teams to pass on and teams at the top of the draft always have a need at center. I think there is an NHL player here. I just have my reservations for how much Moore will actually produce in the NHL. If he's Roope Hintz, then I'm wrong. But I see a reality where Moore is a frustrating 50 point center that leaves you wanting more.

 

[Dead Coyote]

He's a great skater and the tools are there. I'm not denying that.

My issues are purely decision making or IQ related if you want to call it that. Off the rush it's either skate in full speed and rip a shot or circle the zone until he runs out of room. There's no understanding of how to use teammates to create or manipulate space. Something Perreault, for example, does so well. There's really no creativity or imagination to his game. There's no understanding of when to slow the play down. It's always blindly attack net full speed.

Over the course of the year, I've seen way too many low percentage plays from Moore for my liking. Shots from the corner. Shots off the rush on the powerplay in 1 on 2. Moore's never seen a shot he doesn't like. People use the linemate argument in his favor (which I think is weak, he plays on NTDP afterall), but I question if he can play with skill players without ruining the line. I think if you want to maximize Moore (talking as a projection to the NHL here), you need to put him with players that excel at forechecking/puck retrievals and don't need the puck on their stick to be effective.

I have Moore 23 on my list right now, but it's far from finalized. I just have my reservations for how much Moore will actually produce in the NHL. If he's Roope Hintz, then I'm wrong. But I see a reality where Moore is a frustrating 50 point center that leaves you wanting more.

I guess I'm the exact opposite of you. Not only do I always see him make smart decisions in the offensive zone like drawing defenders for a pass or using teammates to get into a prime time area or screen the net, but I have no worries about his linemates at all, I mean, he already has 2 points in the WJC playing with better linemates (Eiserman is arguably even better than he is) and hasn't looked out of place at all. I wouldn't say his teammates are particularly adept at cycling or the forecheck or puck retrievals in either league, in fact usually it's Moore who's doing those things. He definitely prefers to shoot first and I can see the tunnel vision a bit, though you could argue it's because he's more confident in his own shot. But to say he doesn't have good decision making? I really couldn't agree less.

 

[UrbanImpact]

Wins battles in every level of the ice. Offence, defence, neutral zone.

He is starting to creep pass Will Smith for me in my ranking for top 6.

A mix of Dylan Larkin and Kyle Connor.

 

[95snipes]

I guess I'm the exact opposite of you. Not only do I always see him make smart decisions in the offensive zone like drawing defenders for a pass or using teammates to get into a prime time area or screen the net, but I have no worries about his linemates at all, I mean, he already has 2 points in the WJC playing with better linemates (Eiserman is arguably even better than he is) and hasn't looked out of place at all. I wouldn't say his teammates are particularly adept at cycling or the forecheck or puck retrievals in either league, in fact usually it's Moore who's doing those things. He definitely prefers to shoot first and I can see the tunnel vision a bit, though you could argue it's because he's more confident in his own shot. But to say he doesn't have good decision making? I really couldn't agree less.

He played with Terrance and Fine yesterday, not Eiserman. I do like Moore's two way game too. Maybe I'm wrong and as he plays with better players, he'll be more of a distributor. It usually doesn't work out that way tough. Time will tell.

 

[Dead Coyote]

He played with Terrance and Fine yesterday, not Eiserman. I do like Moore's two way game too. Maybe I'm wrong and as he plays with better players, he'll be more of a distributor. It usually doesn't work out that way tough. Time will tell.

He was swapping lines a lot. Not just playing with Terrance and Fine. He had a nice pass to Schulz either way.

The point was that he had an option when he played with someone good and capitalized on it.

 

[SlafySZN]

Can he realistically be drafted at 6, or there’s things in his game that would make scouts doubt about his offensive potential? Like hockey IQ or things like that

 

[Castle8130]

Can he realistically be drafted at 6, or there’s things in his game that would make scouts doubt about his offensive potential? Like hockey IQ or things like that

My mistake, thought this was the Dvorsky thread. Moore likely goes in the 10-15 range. No chance at 5-7 for him.

 

[majormajor]

Can he realistically be drafted at 6, or there’s things in his game that would make scouts doubt about his offensive potential? Like hockey IQ or things like that

I think it's realistic. A lot of folks see a Larkin type player in him, all it takes is one team to see that and he'll go high.

 

[pgfan66]

Can he realistically be drafted at 6, or there’s things in his game that would make scouts doubt about his offensive potential? Like hockey IQ or things like that

It’s absolutely possible. Eliteprospects have him at 6, as the top NTDP player.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Hockey IQ offensively isn't popping off the page but his hands can certainly keep up with his elite feet.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

I personally am a huge fan and like the Larkin comps. I wouldn't be surprised if he was the 2nd American drafted, or the 4th though.

Assuming Cooley signs with the Yotes, Moore and Snuggerrud could be a fun duo next year.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Can he realistically be drafted at 6, or there’s things in his game that would make scouts doubt about his offensive potential? Like hockey IQ or things like that

It’s absolutely possible. Eliteprospects have him at 6, as the top NTDP player.

I think it’s in play given he’s a pretty safe prospect b/c of his motor + skating.

 

[deca guard]

ive seen moore at many sites listed at 5' 11'' and am wondering if thats factual ?

 

[Castle8130]

ive seen moore at many sites listed at 5' 11'' and am wondering if thats factual ?

From what I have seen, yes. He isn't a very big center, but has wheels and grit.

 

[deca guard]

From what I have seen, yes. He isn't a very big center, but has wheels and grit.

thanx 4 info . i was thinking he looked smaller and 5' 11'' was an exaggeration

 

[Fatass]

From what I have seen, yes. He isn't a very big center, but has wheels and grit.

Is there much of a difference between Moore and Benson? Moore skates way better but Benson brings more offence?

 

[Castle8130]

Is there much of a difference between Moore and Benson? Moore skates way better but Benson brings more offence?

IMO Benson is a much better talent. I'm not a big fan of Moore, but he's your prototypical two-way center that NHL teams covet. He is fast and plays well at 5v5.

 

[William H Bonney]

thanx 4 info . i was thinking he looked smaller and 5' 11'' was an exaggeration

NTDP doesn't inflate their measurements

 

[deca guard]

NTDP doesn't inflate their measurements

thanx for info

 

[MichaelFarrell]

Is there much of a difference between Moore and Benson? Moore skates way better but Benson brings more offence?

They are really different players but you’re pretty much correct. I think Moore is definitely a better skater and stick handler. Benson is a really intelligent playmaker and will bring more offense based on the total package he brings.

Benson is good in transition but Moore’s speed is such an x-factor and leads to a ton of zone entries.

Both guys have solid two-way potential. But, Benson has the higher offensive upside.

 

[keppel146]

From what I’ve seen, Moore seems to be great at faceoffs too. I’m a big fan of him overall. 3rd at the U18 WC with 61% faceoff win percentage. He didn’t take quite as many FO as Dvorsky or Edstrom, but he did take more FO than Smith. Still a good sample imo. You can’t go wrong with a speedy center who can win draws and has an underrated shot also.

 

[LastWordArmy]

During the 2023 NHL draft, one of the very interesting stories to follow will be the placement of the four horsemen of the USNTDP. One of these four players is Oliver Moore, who is among the best skaters in the 2023 draft class. His speed sets him up for offensive success and helped him to a brilliant year despite playing on the second line for the US NTDP. In 61 games with the Under-18 squad, he had 75 points. He also had success internationally as he was a key part of the gold-winning Team USA at the recent IIHF Under-18 World Championship. Moore scored nine points in the seven-game tournament.

Oliver Moore Scouting Report: 2023 NHL Draft #9

One of the best skaters in the 2023 Draft is Oliver Moore, who is looking to follow in the footstep of Caufield as an undersized NHL star.

lastwordonsports.com

 

[deca guard]

During the 2023 NHL draft, one of the very interesting stories to follow will be the placement of the four horsemen of the USNTDP. One of these four players is Oliver Moore, who is among the best skaters in the 2023 draft class. His speed sets him up for offensive success and helped him to a brilliant year despite playing on the second line for the US NTDP. In 61 games with the Under-18 squad, he had 75 points. He also had success internationally as he was a key part of the gold-winning Team USA at the recent IIHF Under-18 World Championship. Moore scored nine points in the seven-game tournament.

Oliver Moore Scouting Report: 2023 NHL Draft #9

One of the best skaters in the 2023 Draft is Oliver Moore, who is looking to follow in the footstep of Caufield as an undersized NHL star.

lastwordonsports.com

listed at 5'11' 188lb but then you say hes small ? i dont see that size as small , to me its more like medium . so im wondering if you dont think hes 5'11'' ?

 

[TLEH]

NHL scouts love speed now so I wouldn't be surprised to see him go Top 10