LA Kings Draft: Chaz Lucius 2021 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

Scouting Report

"August 2020 – Chaz Lucius is the best goal scorer on the U.S. NTDP squad possessing a lethal snap shot and crafty hands in tight. He has a nose for the net and doesn’t need much time or space to finish. His shot is dangerous enough to score from distance but he gets to the home plate area of the offensive zone better than about anyone. Pushing into dangerous areas with his shot is a recipe for success. His playmaking is decent and in terms of raw tools, he doesn’t get credit for his passing ability. He regularly passes to and through the royal road area of the offensive zone, forcing the defenders and netminder to adjust to the changing angle. He connects on just about 80% of his passes (per InStat data) which is impressive considering how often he is passing into high-danger areas that defenses generally key in on. The ability to read the play and put himself in the right place at the right time shows how intelligent he is. The young American center shows good defensive effort for the most part and while he isn’t always in the right spot, the effort is there and there seems to be a malleable player on his own end there. When the opposition has the puck, Lucius likes to apply pressure and give the puck carrier little room to maneuver in. He sometimes overshoots the puck carrier which can be a pain as his acceleration isn’t the best in order to get back. The calling card for Lucius is and always will be his ability to find twine but the more he rounds out his game, the greater chance he challenges for first overall in a year that seems fairly wide open at the top. Dobber Prospects/Ferrari"

Production

• 19-20: 8G, 14A, 6 PIM, -6 in 32 games for USNTDP (USHL)
• 19-20: 31G, 19A, 10 PIM in 46 games for USNTDP U17 team
• 19-20: 7G, 3A, 0 PIM in 6 games for Team USA U17 team
• 20-21: 13G, 5A, 6 PIM, +6 in 12 games for USNTDP (USHL)
• 20-21: 13G, 7A, 6 PIM in 13 games for USNTDP U18 team