NHL Prospect Profile: Pascal Laberge

Get to Know Pascal Laberge

Date of Birth: April 9, 1998 (18)
Place of Birth: Châteauguay, QC, CAN
Ht: 6’1” Wt: 170 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Right Wing
Team: Victoriaville (QMJHL)

Statistics

What Scouts See

The Draft Analyst
Laberge is a good skater with a compact style yet strong enough to deal with a hit while maintaining possession. He keeps the puck close to his body, and his ability to change gears can catch a gambling defenseman flat footed. And while it’s cliché to say a skill player would be a devastating adversary with time and space on his side, Laberge truly is a player you don’t want to sleep on, as he unpredictable both with and without the puck. A true offensive threat who needs to get stronger and learn how to because an equal contributor in his own end.

Ryan Kennedy, The Hockey News
The star of the CHL Top Prospects Game, along with linemate Pierre-Luc Dubois, Laberge notched two goals and three points for MVP honors. Back home with the Tigres, Laberge is quick and deadly on open ice, but also has a feisty edge to his game.

Curtis Joe, Elite Prospects
Pascal Laberge is a tough and spirited two-way forward with a high level of hockey sense. Hunts for turnovers and causes havoc whenever he is on the ice. Uses his size well to shield the puck, exert physical force, and win board battles. Has a good set of goal-scorer’s hands, but tends to use them more to pass than anything.

What BSN Avalanche sees

Pascal Laberge is a crafty player with offensive skill. He’s considered one of the most unpredictable forwards in this year’s draft, making him the kind of player opponents cannot overlook. While not the fastest skater, he is able to shift gears and directions quickly. His hard, crisp passes are usually on target, and he leans more towards using them to make the plays than take the shot himself. He’s feisty and hunts down loose pucks with focused intent.

Prior to being switched to wing, Laberge was wildly inconsistent and struggled quite a bit, especially in his own end. Defensively, he needs development. He improved quite a bit after the transition, going so far as being named the MVP at the CHL Top Prospects game.

Highlights

NHL Potential

It’s clear that Laberge has the skill to make it in the NHL. In fact, he projects out to a top-six role if he’s able to find consistency and become more responsible in the defensive zone. He will always be offensively minded, so any team using him will have to watch his usage and protect him with heavy offensive zone starts.

Expected Draft Position

Laberge settles in at the bottom of the first round or top of the second. His highest ranking comes in at 23 at the hands of Future Considerations. Corey Pronman of ESPN has the lowest selection at 37. Teams that are in need of top-six offensive forwards will seriously consider Laberge in the late first round.

How Pascal Laberge Fits in Avalanche Organization

Laberge isn’t good enough to take at tenth and it’s doubtful he’ll be on the board still at 40th. That said, he might be worth consideration if he is available in the second round. He would be an exciting player to put on Matt Duchene’s wing as they are both such creative and deceptive players that they would give defensemen fits.