Nation Network Prospect Profiles: #51-47

Probably the closest to rising into that core group, Green is an offensively gifted offensive defensemen who can shoot as well as he can pass and carry the puck. A gifted handler, Green can manage the game and a powerplay from the backend. The former QMJHL first overall selection (2014) isn’t a physical defender, but he’s efficient at closing gaps with his skating and an active stick defensively.
In his rookie season, Green finished third among 1998-born players and second among defenders with 36 points in 60 games on the backend in Saint John.

Allard, a small but offensively gifted defensemen, is another late 1997 birth date, and has an extra season in the QMJHL under his belt as a result, breaking 30 points last season. He will be counted on as the team’s top defender this season and is capable of putting up 40+ points from the backend. Allard doesn’t have a heavy shot, or shoot often, but he handles the puck extremely intelligently and is a talented cross-ice passer at even strength and on the powerplay.

Kyrou plays the game with a ton of energy, constantly buzzing around, with and without the puck. When it’s on his stick, his creativity and vision make him a terrific playmaker. When it’s not on his stick, he’s battling hard to get it back and can be relentless in puck pursuit. Overall, just a terrific playmaking center who makes those around him better.

Up-and-down playmaker whose flashes of brilliance grew longer in scope and scale until another slump has him trudging into the Top Prospects Game. He’s played on Sarnia’s second line for most of the season after showing chemistry with New Jersey 2015 first rounder Pavel Zacha a year ago. But a recnt move to the top line with Zacha and newly-acquired Travis Konecny should begin to pay dividends. Kyrou is very athletic and has his head up at all times, and you wonder why he hasn’t produced when you consider his passing ability, especially off the rush.

Good size and strength, developing into solid two way defenseman – good hands and puck skills to manage the play at offensive blue line – excellent short game and passer, good shot from the point – effective game with and without the puck

A poised, all-weather defenseman with good size, skill and mobility. 

Johansen adopts a safe and conservative approach – and isn’t one to stand out by making flashy plays or being aggressive offensively

Lucas Johansen is a smooth skating cerebral defenseman, with an accurate shot from the point, who plays a solid all around game. Fluid is stride, Johansen can get to open pucks and find seams through fore-checkers as he transitions the puck up ice with ease. Not overly physical, Johansen plays a steady positional defense and keeps and active stick to break up passes of attackers. Though his calling card is with the puck on his stick, he isn’t a one dimensional offensive defenseman as he uses good hockey sense to read plays both ways. Johansen still requires work on his defensive reads as he can be caught trying to be too fancy rather than make the simple play.

Connecticut-born defenseman who like most NTDP blueliners has to limit the amount of offense he can provide due to skill in depth on the forward lines. Krys is also committed to Boston University for next season, and played a support role on Team USA during its bronze medal run at the recent WJC’s. He’s not the biggest or the baddest defender, but he has shown the ability to play smart and do the little things necessary to win. He’s mobile and can run the power play, but at this stage he’s still raw and needs to learn the nuances of the position.