TLN Draft Profile: Michael Dal Colle
9 years ago
Name: Michael Dal Colle
Position: Left Wing
Height: 6’2
Weight: 182lbs
Junior Team: Oshawa (OHL)
Rankings: NHL CSS – 5th (NA), ISS – 3rd, Justin’s List – 4th, Bobby’s List – 6th
(Note: ‘Sup? Bobby Cappucino and I will be posting draft profiles heading up to the 2014 NHL Draft, taking a closer look at who the Leafs will/should be taking a close look at. Here’s the first one. You’ll get one or two every day or so, so come back often and tell us who you love and who you hate.)
Michael Dal Colle is one of the 2014 Draft’s premier forward prospects, seen by many as just inches behind the likes of Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart in the rankings. An offensively gifted winger with good size, Dal Colle went off this season for 39 goals and 56 assists while playing alongside Philadelphia Flyers prospect Scott Laughton.
Dal Colle’s 95 points in 67 games were good for 6th in OHL regular season scoring, but more impressive was his 20 points in 12 playoff games, finishing 7th in the playoff scoring race despite playing eight less games than the leading scorer.
The Good
Scouts rave about Dal Colle’s offensive instincts, as he’s one of the best point-producers available this year and projects to continue scoring at the pro level. His 39 goals are a product of an excellent shot, which McKeen’s Grant McCagg dubs as the best shot in the draft. That being said, there’s also a high-end playmaking aspect to Dal Colle’s game that makes him a threat in nearly all offensive situations.
Without the puck, Dal Colle is still effective thanks to a solid effort on the forecheck and a sound understanding of where to be in the defensive zone. He’ll probably never be your shutdown forward, but he isn’t one of those dreaded “one-dimensional” players. Ick, those guys are gross.
If you draft Dal Colle, you expect him to eventually play on your top line one day.
The Bad
There isn’t much. A couple scouting reports suggest that his first few strides could improve, and that he still needs to “fill in” that 6’2 frame, but both of those issues will improve with age and pro strength training. Maybe Dal Colle’s skills aren’t considered “elite”, but again, that’s not really a negative.
Truth be told, the most glaring issue anybody has with Dal Colle is that his favourite song is ‘Drops of Jupiter’.
Is he a good choice?
A native of Richmond Hill, Ontario and a self-proclaimed Leafs fan, Dal Colle would be an excellent eighth overall pick. The problem is, he’d also be an excellent 4th or 5th overall pick as well. The likelihood of Dal Colle still being available to the Leafs is slim, but he’s still worth mentioning. Stranger things have happened, and it isn’t outside of the realm of possibility that the Leafs move up in the draft.
What are the scouts saying?
“A powerful and dynamic winger with high-end offensive skills and vision. Dal Colle is a
high-level skater. He has a strong stride, a solid top gear and gets around the ice effectively.” – Future Considerations’ 2014 NHL Draft Guide
high-level skater. He has a strong stride, a solid top gear and gets around the ice effectively.” – Future Considerations’ 2014 NHL Draft Guide
“An offensive dynamo, Dal Colle’s penchant
for manufacturing offensive chances is arguably the best of the draft
class .. works like a surgeon to delicately weave his way inside the
offensive zone making manoeuvres in tight spaces while opening up
space for his perfectly timed wrist shot.” – McKeen’s 2014 NHL Draft Guide
for manufacturing offensive chances is arguably the best of the draft
class .. works like a surgeon to delicately weave his way inside the
offensive zone making manoeuvres in tight spaces while opening up
space for his perfectly timed wrist shot.” – McKeen’s 2014 NHL Draft Guide
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