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2015 NHL Draft Profiles: Daniel Sprong

It’s that time of year of again – when the pain and suffering of another losing season finally pays off. But at this year’s NHL Entry Draft, the stakes are higher than ever.

At 4th overall, the Maple Leafs will make their highest ever selection since taking Scott Thornton 3rd overall in 1989 (yikes). They will then follow that with the Nashville Predators’ selection, somewhere between 22nd – 24th overall depending on the playoff outcomes. If there was ever a time to hit a home run, that time is now. Let’s dive right in, starting with a candidate for their late first round pick.

Daniel Sprong – 6’0 192 lbs, winger from the Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)

Rankings:
    • #26 by ISS Hockey
    • #15 by Future Considerations
    • #20 by McKeen’s Hockey
    • #32 by Bob Mckenzie consensus rankings


 

Daniel Sprong Strengths:
  • Quick and elusive – Possesses explosive speed down the wing and has the ability to weave easily through the seams on the rush; can beat opposing defenders by simply accelerating past them during quick transition play
  • Scoring instincts – One of the best pure snipers of this draft class with a quick, accurate release on his shot; demonstrates the ability to sneak away into open space to receive passes in the offensive zone
Daniel Sprong Criticisms:
  • One-dimensional player – Prefers to play out in open ice and likes to cheat along the blue line for quick transition; not the type of player to regularly sacrifice the body for a chip play out of the zone; in the offensive zone, he is prone to making high risk plays that may lead to turnovers at inopportune times
The Verdict:
  • Potential scoring winger – Has the skillset to become a high octane, dynamic 25 – 30 goal scorer at the NHL level though with higher prospect risk, in the mold of a Gustav Nyquist
  • Draft Day – Early into the year, there was talk that Sprong could go as high as the early teens, but his inconsistency and defensive flaws have caused his stock to slip a little bit. He should settle in somewhere between picks 20 – 25, but as we’ve seen with such players in the past (John Mcfarland, Hunter Shinkaruk), he could end up as a surprise slip into the low 20’s or even out of the first round altogether.

Daniel Sprong Statistics

SEASONTEAMLEAGUEGPGATPPIM+/-POSTGPGATPPIM+/-
2011-12Deux-Rives Dauphins Bantam AALSLBAA193083832|
Wilkes-Barre Knights BantamAYHL119233224|Playoffs474114
2012-13Lac St-Louis Tigres EspoirQMEAA30485610436|Playoffs35380
2013-14Charlottetown IslandersQMJHL6730386820-20|Playoffs44150-5
2014-15Charlottetown IslandersQMJHL6839498818-23|Playoffs1074116-6

Daniel Sprong Highlight Video

Daniel Sprong Isolation Video (2013)

Daniel Sprong – Sportsnet Feature: “Possibilities”

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