NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Luke Green

Get to Know Luke Green

Date of Birth: January 12, 1998 (18)
Place of Birth: Halifax, NS, CAN
Ht: 6’1” Wt: 190 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Defense
Team: Saint John (QMJHL)

Statistics

What Scouts See

Curtis Joe, Elite Prospects
An excellent offensive defenceman whose killer instincts in the offensive zone allow him to materialize scoring chances. Very shifty skater who is highly mobile. Good puckhandling ability and puck control; makes quick decisions with the puck in traffic and under pressure. Reliable defensively, but is much more effective when utilizing his offensive tools at the other end of the ice. All-in-all, a smart, smooth-skating defenceman who can play in most situations and excel in an offensive position.

Future Considerations
Green is a puck-rushing blueliner who likes to skate with the puck on his stick. He has a solid frame and excellent mobility. His skating is very strong and he has quick feet that get him up to top speed very quickly. However, his balance seems a bit off at times. His edges are strong, staying in control on quick cuts. Green has quick cross-overs skating both forward and backward, and he takes every opportunity to rush the puck up ice. He’s not an overly physical player as he plays more of the finesse style game. At 6-foot-2, he has a large frame and the ability to put on more muscle and, hopefully, add a bit of snarl to his repertoire. His vision and passing game are strong both with medium and long-range feeds. His shot is also a weapon, although he rarely gets to set up on the power play and use it due to the glut of other players who the Sea Dogs use on the point. While his rushing and offensive abilities are strong, he tends to gets lost in the defensive zone from time to time, and has a weaker stick than we would like. Green reads the play well and knows where to go, but leaves gaps that are too large and does not always close off the puck carrier when given the opportunity to do so. He had an excellent group of defensemen in front of him against whom he has to compete for ice time. His development stagnated to an extent this season, but understanding the context on his team, he could still be quite a player.

What BSN Avalanche sees

Luke Green is an electric player whose slick skating and fancy stick work make him a joy to watch. He’s a dangerous offensive defenseman who thinks on the fly, making snappy passes and getting off quick shots. He sees the ice well and can move through traffic with ease. He has an explosive first stride and uses it to transition the play and carry the puck up ice. His shot is solid and accurate.

While tall, he’s still a bit on the lean side, but he still has time to fill out. He also needs some development on the defensive end of his game. He’s smart, however, so he’s sure to take advantage of some time in the AHL to round out his game.

Highlights

NHL Potential

Another defenseman with highly desirable skills, Luke Green looks to have a future in the NHL. That, of course, could change if he isn’t able to ratchet up his play in his own zone. Far too often, offensive defenseman wow in juniors and fall flat in the pros. Green is a hard worker, though, so his ceiling remains a 3-4 d-man with a good chance at quarterbacking the power play.

Expected Draft Position

Green is projected to be a late selection in the second round, but he could also drop into the third round. His projected rank is 40th with Central Scouting and 63rd with both Corey Pronman of ESPN and Crag Button of TSN. One thing to keep in mind is that Green’s numbers are very similar to fellow Sea Dogs Thomas Chabot and Jakub Zboril, both of whom were taken in the first round last year. A team impressed with those two players might think Green is worth a higher selection.

How Luke Green Fits in Avalanche Organization

Green is very reminiscent of Tyson Barrie, and given the team’s success with the former Kelowna Rockets d-man, it’s possible the Avalanche would take a flyer on him. However, don’t expect him to go with the team’s second round pick. He’s another d-man who should be snapped up if available in the third round, depending on who else is on the board.