NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Julius Nattinen

Get to Know Julius Nattinen

Date of Birth: 1/14/1997
Place of Birth: Jyvaskyla, FIN
Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 194 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Center
Team: JYP (Liiga)

Statistics

What Scouts See

Elite Prospects:

An athletic two-way center that leads by on-ice example. Boasts refined skating habits that allow him to accelerate very quickly yet maintain a perfect amount of steam to grind out long shifts. A highly-skilled puckhandler who is confident in his abilities, Nättinen possesses the skill traits that drop jaws. Very tight-knit with teammates and keeps up a winning attitude at all times.

Very creative in the offensive end and a responsible, stable presence in his own end. His size is a factor when he bulls his way into the offensive end, and he doesn’t shy away from the physical game. All-in-all, a dynamic two-way center that can battle through long, hard shifts and make a difference against other teams’ top players.

Scouting Factory:

A forward with good size and strength who has a very good shot. Uses his full shot arsenal and is an effective weapon on the powerplay. Tries to bring himself in good position to use his strong accurate slapshot from a good spot. Has good vision and is therefore more a playmaker than a shooter. Is an average skater in terms of agility and acceleration but has good top speed. Backchecks well and takes his defensive responsibility serious.

Could use his big body more to win corner battles and to play with a more physical edge. Nättinen has the potential to create scoring chances with his great shot and decent vision and to play a good two-way game, but isn’t a player who leaves you breathless and rather is a quiet worker.

Hockey Prospectus:

Nättinen shows a good package of size, strength, vision, work ethic and shooting skills. Given all those assets, he is suitable for the game in North America. Like many Finnish players, he brings a good work ethic along. There was some uncertainty about his skating abilities, but it needs to be added that he made progress in this department. He would fit into a 3^rd line or maybe even 2^nd line if he can create more offence in the future.

Highlights



NHL Potential

Nattinen is a two-way forward who likely excels in the NHL as a third-line center on a strong team or as a weaker team’s second-line center. He possesses decent offensive upside and could breakthrough as a top-flight player but is much likelier a complementary player in the NHL.

Expected Draft Position

Rankings seem to have found a decent consensus on Nattinen come draft day as he’s listed between 57 and 87, making him a likely second or third round pick. He could conceivably drop to the fourth as well but a player of his size and maturity belongs in the top 90.

How Prospect Fits in Avalanche Organization

Despite having a glut of centers already, Nattinen would be a solid addition to the organization because of his size and two-way acumen. His offensive upside would give the Avalanche another potential scoring center to go along with Joey Hishon, Colin Smith, Troy Bourke, and Conner Bleackley but Nattinen’s defensive maturity would slot him ahead of Smith and Bourke for sure on the organizational depth chart.

Of the European prospects profiled, Nattinen is definitely one of the best potential fits for the Avalanche and where they sit in the draft. Selecting Nattinen 71st overall in the third round would be an excellent value selection for the Avalanche and while he’s another center, his size and advanced two-way game make him a very intriguing fit in 2-3 years.