6'2" 200 lbs
Shoots Left
Comparison: Max Pacioretty
We are choosing to talk about Carson Rehkpof because of the much-maligned Canadian World Junior team, of which Carson was a part, drawing into the lineup for only 2 games and remaining scoreleds. If you are on social media, you would think Canada is going to burn to the ground for the lackluster result, and Team Canada's coaching, roster decisions, and on-ice play. The World Juniors have, for me, become a real big indicator of draft potential for players in their draft year, and a big determining factor for players already drafted. Not so much for the stars, who are often fleshed out and ready to roll (and often perform as expected in the tournament). It's a good examination for role players, those star players and how they perform in the limelight on a world stage, and for countries not often under the microscope.
I'm here to tell you, Canada can put the pitchforks away when it comes to Carson. Canada has no shortage of players to choose from and went through a period of time only selecting the best and most talented skilled players, and seemed to have been pushed around and outworked by other countries. Thus, fielding a team of role players along with skill. This seems to have caught the ire of the Canadian population as to leaving off some notable players (Michael Misa, Carter Yakemchuk, and Zayne Parekh). The criticism was not made in hindsight either; many content creators and pundits immediately had red flags about the lack of top-end talent specifically on Team Canada's roster. Rehkpof might catch some strays from all the ire that Team Canada's lack of success garnered, as well as some rather untimely, undisciplined penalties, and a healthy scratch. Fans might have soured on Rehkpof, but let me tell you why he's a great prospect, and how he might fare in the NHL with some more seasoning.
For starters, Rehkpof currently plays in the OHL for the Brampton Steelheads. One of his linemates, fellow Team Canada member and projected top-5 pick this year, Porter Martone, has 55 points in 27 games. During the tournament, they played maybe a few shifts together in total! Rehkpof himself has a respectable 48 points in 28 games. The object of the game of hockey is to put the puck into the opponent's net, something Rehkpof excels at. It just turns out that Team Canada realized there are a few different ways you can go about achieving that goal.
Despite his size, Rehkpof often doesn't play the body on the forecheck (that's where Porter Martone comes in). He's not a soft player by any means, but his strength really lies in getting into the soft areas of the defense for a one-time or a quick snipe. This is why it's imperative for both Team Canada and his future roster to have a system that meshes with his skill set or the skill set of the roster. Some coaches simply require maximum effort on the forecheck and that's just not where his game is currently suited. Rehkpof doesn't accelerate quickly, and doesn't have the absolute best edgework, but he has a fast top gear. If he gets a head start, he can break out for a breakaway and he is very good at finishing off the rush. If you look at a heat map for juniors, a majority of goals are scored up close or off the rush on an odd-man breakaway. Rehkpof, on the other hand, can score from almost anywhere. He has one of the best snapshots I've seen since I started scouting and watching talent. He can score from anywhere on the ice, and I mean anywhere. Rehkpof has the size to be able to win board battles and stay strong on the puck on the boards. I think it's a coach and scheme structure on his junior teams for him to be a rover and find openings in the opposing defense.
I can see Rehkpof having a great NHL career. I think he needs to be more active in the defensive zone and watch his cheating for breakout passes (which can be coached out of him). It's exciting to see if Rehkpof can make the team out of camp, or if Seattle elects to keep him in the AHL next year.
last year (50 goal season) shots on the rush picking his corners. https://youtu.be/7wNas2a-YVs?si=XP2h3DjkqDypBsQg
Seeing the chemistry he has with Martone, and his ability to find a seam and crash the net. https://youtu.be/vxnFiMze6BU?si=Ds1W1SMNXd_irHwm
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