NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Andrew Peeke

Get to Know Andrew Peeke:

Date of Birth: 3/17/1998
Place of Birth: Parkland, FL, USA
Ht: 6’3″ Wt: 205 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Defense
Team (League): Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

Statistics

What Scouts See

The Draft Analyst:

Labeling a defenseman as the “shut down” variety is not only cliche, but extremely subjective. Peeke, however, is in our view the draft’s best one-on-one defender, and it means something when you can impact a game’s complexion with this ability. He is big and mobile, using an active stick and mammoth wingspan to fix onrushing opponents into a failed decision.

SBN College Hockey:

He has a lot of potential with the physical tools he has. He’s a good skater and plays a simple yet impactful game in the defensive zone. He has a nice slap shot and was solid on the power play.

What BSN Avalanche sees

He’s the big shutdown defenseman of the past. The way the game has changed and how scouting importance has placed such a high emphasis on skating and puck-moving is why you see a guy like Peeke rated down here. He’s a good skater for his size and he has a good slap shot that occasionally looks great. Defensively is where he shines, though, as he reads the play well, uses an active stick to disrupt passing lanes, and will occasionally rock an oncoming puck carrier.

For someone with his size, he sure doesn’t seem inclined to use it very often. Only towards the tail end of the season did I see Peeke begin physically asserting himself on a regular basis and it took his defense to another level entirely. That will need to continue at the next level. He’s not a great passer and his decisions with the puck leave a little to be desired but it’s not something that should be a major factor in holding him back.

Highlights

NHL Potential

I’m not sure how to value Peeke. Today’s NHL is phasing out players like him more and more all the time. I personally like what he brings to the table and don’t see any overwhelming negatives about his game. He’s a good, mature defender that should have no issue in college hockey doing his thing. How he handles an increasingly fast pro game will likely determine how far he goes in the NHL.

Expected Draft Position

Peeke’s rankings have him in the conversation for the late second and early third round.

How Prospect Fits in Avalanche Organization

Peeke wouldn’t be all that different from what Mason Geertsen brings to the table. He has more offensive upside than Geertsen but their defensive game is similar. This makes him redundant and less talented than others around him at Colorado’s deepest position but that doesn’t make him a bad prospect. You can never have too many quality defensemen and Peeke would give Colorado another roll of the dice at a premium position.