C/RW Nathan Bastian - Mississauga Steelheads, OHL (2016, 41st, NJD)

[landy92mack29]

I've watched Mississauga a couple times because of Mcleod and Nylander but this kid has caught my eye as well. He's huge(6'4 207) but is a pretty good skater with a good shot and playmaking ability. He's still a very raw prospect but has improved each time I've seen him and was recently promoted to 1st line RW to play with Mcleod and Nylander. His stats aren't eye popping yet(9G+17A in 26 games) but since his promotion have been steadily increasing. I view him as a late 1st to early 2nd talent right now but curious what others think of him.


http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=245157

 

[Torts]

The improvement of Nathan year after year has been the biggest thing for me. It seems every game and every season he is getting better and better. Not the smoothest of skater buts keeps up with McLeod and Nylander so that's saying something. Has a nose for the net and isn't afraid to go to the dirty areas (true hockey cliches).

I'd say he could find himself going anywhere between the 2nd and 4th rounds depending on how the rest of his season shapes up.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

I like how his game is progressing this year. We will see if he can improve to make it into my top 30. I don't see him as a 1st rd pick yet. But as a 2nd, I would not have a problem with that.

 

[Torts]

1G & 2A last night and it wasn't just on the coat tails of Nylander and McLeod.

 

[Captain Timo]

I actually used to play with this guy in my Major Bantam year. Best player on the team by far, and I always see him at the rink even in the summer. Guy puts in so much work, nice to see him blossoming into what seems like a solid future prospect.

 

[landy92mack29]

1G+1A today. Now has 13G+29A in 41 games. Still looking like a late 1st/early 2nd pick.

 

[ProspectsSTC]

I'm not a big fan, he looked much much slower and behind the play than his linemates Nylander and McLeod

 

[Torts]

I'm not a big fan, he looked much much slower and behind the play than his linemates Nylander and McLeod

Tough to compare, McLeod and Nylander are top 10 picks; both are top class skaters.

Bastian gets up and down the ice OK but in comparison to his linemates yes he's probably the 3rd slowest. Compared to the Steelheads as a whole team he's probably the 5th or 6th best skating forward.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

I'm not a big fan, he looked much much slower and behind the play than his linemates Nylander and McLeod

I would say you are right about this. Bastian's skating is one area where he will need to work on. Also for a big man, he could use his size better. To me he projects into a workmanlike 2nd rd pick. He's not a guy I would pick and say he will be a surefire top 6 fwd in the NHL. More as a good 3rd liner IMO.

 

[Warden of the North]

ISS April list has him in the top 30

 

[landy92mack29]

He's a solid all-around player who is raw but has a big upside so I think he'll be a 1st rounder. He needs time to develop so hopefully whoever picks him doesn't rush him.

 

[LastWordArmy]

Our scouting report

http://lastwordonsports.com/2016/05/02/nathan-bastian-scouting-report-2016-nhl-draft-34/

 

[wings5]

He's almost a legit 6'5 , what a beast.

 

[HenriquesJawLine]

Good early 2nd predictions in this thread, his game reminds of Wayne Simmonds. And he gets to join his best friend and linemate which is pretty cool.

 

[TLEH]

Good early 2nd predictions in this thread, his game reminds of Wayne Simmonds. And he gets to join his best friend and linemate which is pretty cool.

"can't teach size" LOL

 

[VoidCreature]

With five assists last night, Bastian's up to 3 goals and 9 points in 4 games, 2.25 P/PG.

Watch out for this guy. I think he's going to have a monster year.

 

[landy92mack29]

 

[pierre gagnon*]

With five assists last night, Bastian's up to 3 goals and 9 points in 4 games, 2.25 P/PG.

Watch out for this guy. I think he's going to have a monster year.

Can he keep up that pace, seems it would be difficult?

 

[VoidCreature]

Can he keep up that pace, seems it would be difficult?

Will he score over 2 points per game? No. But the growth in his offense is very encouraging.

At the moment he's at 4 goals and 11 points in 7 games, 1.57 P/PG. That's up from .92 P/PG last year, but what's especially impressive is his goals per game. He had 19 goals in 64 games last year, or .29 goals per game. This year he's almost doubled that rate with .57 goals per game.

When I saw him at dev camp I was flabbergasted he didn't score more goals with that rocket he has. This kind of production is more what I would expect.

 

[landy92mack29]

Called up to the big club

 

[Dominance]

Called up to the big club

Exciting. He just finds ways to score. I hope he sticks around with you guys and is put in a place to succeed.

 

[landy92mack29]

1st game 1st fight vs a tough customer in Manson

 

[KovalSNIPE]

Didnt look like he connected but outpowered him to the ground. Atta boy.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Didnt look like he connected but outpowered him to the ground. Atta boy.

He caught Manson right on the button. Not getting his left glove off hurt. he had an OK game really good protecting the puck which is what NJ needs, guys who can cycle.

 

[landy92mack29]