Chase Crawshaw's 2021 NHL Draft Sleepers

Last draft season, I posted eight players I found to be sleepers of the NHL draft class to my Twitter account. Seven of those guys ended up being drafted and are continuing their development with their NHL franchises. This year, I have seven more names, along with the one who was not selected last year.

Josh Doan, F, Chicago (USHL): As a re-entry, Josh Doan is everything you want out of a hockey player: smart with a high IQ, strong skills, and a relentless work ethic. While Doan likely will never become a dominant scorer, he provides the type of game that championship contending teams would kill to have. He will be a team’s top penalty killer, while also being useful on the powerplay as needed. Give Doan time to develop in College and the NHL team that spends the draft capital on him will be celebrating down the road.
Chase’s Projection: Top-nine winger warranting PP and PK time
Round of Flier: 2nd+
2020-2021 Stats: 53GP 31G 39A 70P 45PIM
 
Janis Jérôme Moser, D, Biel-Bienne (NL): The oldest player who has a legitimate chance to be drafted this year, Moser rapidly developed into one of the better defensemen in the Swiss League this year. Strong shut down defenseman who offers two-way ability and can play on the PP when needed. Skates well and progressed so rapidly that it is worth taking a shot at holding his rights.
Chase’s Projection: NHL defenseman who can be used in all situations
Round of Flier: 5th+
2020-2021 Stats: 48GP 9G 21A 30P 10PIM
 
Ethan Cardwell, F, Barrie (OHL): The highest-ranked player to go undrafted last year, Cardwell is an immensely talented player who performed well for Barrie after being traded in 2020. With the OHL shut down this year, he took his talents to the HockeyEttan in Sweden, where he performed very well. A smooth skater with the finishing touch that teams constantly look for in the draft, Ethan Cardwell should never have gone undrafted.
Chase’s Projection: Middle-six scoring winger
Round of Flier: 3rd+
2020-2021 Stats: 18GP 9G 18A 27P 22PIM
 
Billy Constantinou, D, Soo (OHL): Guy who I had here last year but still did not get drafted. Third time draft eligible defenseman who should have been drafted by now but was thrown into the top defenseman role on a terrible team at 17 years old. Incredibly smooth skater who you can trust on every inch on the ice. His vision is high-end, which helps show off his puck-moving skills. Strong in his own zone, especially below the goal-line. Has the type of skill set that will transition seamlessly to the NHL.
Chase’s Projection: Trustworthy top six defenseman Round of Flier: 5th+
2019-2020 Stats: 60GP 9G 44A 53P 49PIM
 
Tristan Lennox, G, Saginaw (OHL): A kid who at one time was talked about among the elite goalies in this draft class, Lennox struggled in his second OHL seasons after strong flashes as a rookie. Everything is there; size, athleticism, skill, but he needs to put it all together at one time. If he can do that, he can be a star.
Chase’s Projection: NHL starting-caliber goalie
Round of Flier: 4th+
2019-2020 Stats: 33GP 3.63GAA .876SV%
 
Miguël Tourigny, D, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL): A small-statured offensive defenseman whose skill level never should have went undrafted. We do not see very many NHL defensemen of his size, but Tourigny proved himself this season, scoring over a point per game in the QMJHL. His defensive game needs to improve and he could be more of a long-term project, but he could be worth the wait.
Chase’s Projection: Bottom pair offensive defensemen
Round of Flier: 5th+
2020-2021 Stats: 32GP 15G 21A 36P 33PIM
 
Florian Elias, F, Mannheim (DEL): Another re-entry player, Florian Elias made his name known at the most recent World Junior Championships for Germany where he scored 4 goals and 9 points through 5 games. Elias earned the promotion to the pro league this season and flashed potential NHL skill that is worth investing in. Will be another guy who needs time and patience, but very well could pay off.
Chase’s Projection: Bottom-six scoring forward
Round of Flier: 4th+
2020-2021 Stats: 34GP 3G 5A 8P 12PIM
 
Théo Rochette, F, Québec (QMJHL): My final player is, yet again, a re-entry player. Rochette fits the bill of a pure playmaker: his number one asset as an NHL player will be his passing ability. He is also reliable defensively and can fit a NHL role that many teams would kill to have. Pair him with a pure shooter and a strong connection will lead to both players excelling.
Chase’s Projection: Middle-six center
Round of Flier: 4th+
2020-2021 Stats: 32GP 12G 18A 30P 10PIM

Got any guys you really like not listed here? Make sure to comment and tweet at me @chawdust. Make sure to follow the Bolts Broadcast on Twitter as well @BoltsBroadcast!