LD Lukas Fischer - Sarnia Sting, OHL (2024, 56th, STL)

[Hockeyville USA]

@StingUpdates @SarniaStingFan Any in depth thoughts on how you've thought Fischer has been in Sarnia this season?

 

[StingUpdates]

@StingUpdates @SarniaStingFan Any in depth thoughts on how you've thought Fischer has been in Sarnia this season?

It's been a really strong season for Fischer. He is the backbone of the Sting & is asked to do more than anyone on the team.

1D, PP, PK always against #1 lines. In OT he plays half if not more than half if it goes the full 5 minutes.

His skating has become his best asset which is amazing after it being just solid just a year ago. I always say he gallops thru the neutral zone with his strides. It's impressive to watch & not many in the league cover as much ground as he can with that skating combined with his size.

Offensively he's taken a really nice step. Especially on the lowest scoring team in the conference. His shot has improved quite a bit and he's routinely beat goalies clean this season. He's definitely upped his physical game as well. He isn't a pleasant guy to go against for opposing Fs when he's on his game. Always cross checking, slashing guys down low/along the boards.

He's a really strong defender. I honestly don't remember him being "deked" out or danced around once this yr which is impressive with how much & who he is always against. His size, length, skating & active stick must be a nightmare to go against. Even if you catch him he'll recover to get a stick on it, or catch you with his speed.

He's also the leader of the team from a leadership standpoint. It's impressed me how mature he is for an 18 yr old. You can tell he's taken a lot from his dad & being in NHL rooms growing up.

His struggles/room for improvements would be-

Discipline - he's had a bad habit this yr of needing to retaliate when someone slashes him, gives him a cheap shot which has burned him a good amount of times. He can run a bit hot.

Consistency - At his best he's been one of the better D in the league, but he has struggled at times sustaining that level. It isn't a severe issue, but its one that he has.

Body language - he's got pretty bad body language when things aren't going well lol. You'll know how a game is going by just watching him. It's been better the last few weeks but it was pretty bad earlier in the year & it still lingers some nights.

Trying to do to much - I don't fault him much here with how the roster is, but at times he can start playing hero ball/puck where he tries to go end2end & do it himself, or instead of making a better play he'll just let it rip from a low% area.

Overall I think STL has to be thrilled. He has all the tools to be a legit T4 NHL dman IMO. He's big, his skating is strong, he's physically strong, his offensive game has taken a big jump as has his leadership.