NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Daniel Sprong

 

Get to Know Daniel Sprong

Date of Birth: 3-17-97
Place of Birth: Amsterdam, NED
Ht: 6’0” Wt: 192 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Right Wing
Team: Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)

It’s not often that a player from the Netherlands ends up in top-30 draft discussions, yet we have one in Daniel Sprong. By the time he was 7, his parents realized the unique talent they had in their son, so they relocated the entire family to Montreal in order to give him a better chance at a professional hockey career.

Immediately, he made an impact, lighting up every league he joined and scoring at a 2 to 3 points per game pace. He was drafted 13th overall by the Charlottetown Islanders in the 2013 QMJHL Entry Draft, and he continued his offensive domination of the game. He’s been on Team Canada’s radar from early on, but until he is able to establish citizenship, his international play is stalled.

Statistics

What Scouts See

Future Considerations

A strong offensive player…he’s quick and extremely involved in every play…an explosive player who can create chances out of nothing…strong skater and very slick hands…a wicked shot and can snipe top shelf…not easily pushed around, but still does need to add strength to truly dominate…he’s adaptable and able to find ways to make an impact in every game…defense needs to come along and he isn’t very physical, but his offensive skill set will make him a game breaker at the pro level…at times, he shows some real initiative in his own zone though, blocking shots and breaking up plays…works his butt off both on and off the ice to improve his game.

Hockey Prospectus, David McKnight

Sprong is one of the more exciting offensive players available in this draft. His game changing speed in combination with his offensive tool set allows him to take over a game at any time. He can make dazzling plays at top speed and is always a handful for the opposing team when he’s fully engaged.

Sometimes his willingness to compete can be lacking and that makes him a lightning rod for criticism when things aren’t going well in Charlottetown. He will need to be more consistent and step up his physical game to be a game breaker at the next level. Fortunately for him hard work will improve both that and his defensive play, while he already has all the offensive ability to make a big impact in the NHL.

What BSN Avalanche Sees

Sprong has talent, of that there is no doubt. He has outstanding stickhandling skills and can thread passes with ease. He’s a strong skater who is able to jump into the play to create odd-man rushes through his powerful acceleration. Sprong has fantastic vision and creativity, which allows him to set up his linemates as well as snipe home winners. He also makes decisions quickly, limiting forced plays that result in turnovers. Most importantly, Sprong is a finisher. He finds the net; he sets up his teammates to find the net. He is simply an exceptional offensive talent.

Unfortunately, all of that skill is not on display all of the time. He has a Wolski-esque ability to float, leaving his teammates to do the dirty work when he’s not engaged in the play. Prime scoring opportunities are lost because he will wait for the play to come to him rather than going to the play. His apparent laziness also makes him weak on the forecheck, and Sprong’s tendency to drop the play to avoid the hit is another knock against him.

He also needs to develop his defensive game. He admits as much himself in an interview for NHL.com: “I’m offensive-minded, and I think of that first before defence sometimes. Maybe leaving the zone too early to get a breakaway, thinking ahead a little bit. I’m working at being better in the d-zone, and my goal is to be a 200-foot player and a threat in all three zones.”

Highlights

NHL Potential

Sprong is surely on an NHL trajectory. He has the offensive skillset to make him a valuable top-six player. He will have to round out his game, however, if he wants to stick in the league. He doesn’t have the defensive acumen or physicality needed to be a reliable bottom-six forward, so he has to improve his compete level outside the offensive zone and find consistency in order to succeed on North American ice. He will need development time after the draft, preferably in the AHL, before he’ll be ready to make the leap to the NHL.

It would not be surprising to see him return to Europe if he’s not able to develop his game in his own zone as he is perfect for the offensive-minded game across the pond.

Expected Draft Position

Sprong is projected as a mid- to late-pick in the first round. His offensive talent is just too good to see all thirty teams pass him by in the first go of it. As one of the top European prospects, he is most certainly on many front offices’ short list.

How Daniel Sprong Fits in Avalanche Organization

The Avs definitely need a top-six right wing in the system. With Iginla set to retire in a couple of years, bringing on a top-six prospect for the right is essential. Sprong could fit that bill. While he’s not as big as the players Patrick Roy and Joe Sakic have been targeting since taking over, he’s also not a small player by any means.

He would complement Gabriel Landeskog well, but only if he finds a compete level equal to the captain. Drafting Sprong would take more than just talent assessment for Roy and Sakic; interviews would be extremely important as character ranks so high with them. Fortunately, Sprong realizes his weaknesses and has indicated a strong desire to improve defensive play. That kind of commitment could go a long way in convincing the Avs’ brass to take a chance on this dynamic player.