2023 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: D Lukas Dragicevic

The Colorado Avalanche hold the 27th overall selection in June 28’s NHL draft, and we’ll be beginning our draft prep with some profiles of players who may be available when the Avalanche make their pick.

In addition to these profiles, CHN will also soon have draft commentary from a CHL scout, as well as an interview with the Director of Scouting for the Scouting Service in the near future.

Today’s player profile is of Tri-City Americans Defenseman Lukas Dragicevic.

Prospect Information:

Team: Tri-City Americans

Position: Defenseman

Date of Birth: April 25, 2005 (18)

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 181

Statistics:

Games: 68

Goals: 15

Assists: 60

Points: 75

NHL Draft Rankings Roundup:

Elite Prospects: 36

TSN/Bob McKenzie Mid-Year: 27

Mckeens Hockey: 20

DobberProspects: 51

HockeyProspect.com January Ranking: Outside of Top 32

The Athletic: 31

Evan’s Scouting Report:

An offensive defenseman, by the book. Has a lot of offensive skill and looks to jump into the rush any time he can. Good vision, and solid running the powerplay. Didn’t see him use the slapshot a ton, as he tended to favor a wrister through traffic. Really strong production for a 17 year old (now 18) defenseman. Good vision on the breakout. Not lacking in puck skill, and that skills as on display at the Under 18’s.

Defensively, there’s a lot of work that needs to be done, as you would expect. He has a pretty good stick defensively, but relies on it a lot. Isn’t an undersized defenseman but doesn’t necessarily use a lot. Gets caught watching the puck a fair bit.

Skating is just okay, as he’s not a burner. Multiple times he would spin away from forwards, but his skating would hold him back from truly escaping.

There’s a lot to build on with Dragicevic, and it’s just a matter of developing some of the weaknesses in his game. Right shot defensemen with skill like him can be difficult to find. The Avalanche traded away Justin Barron a year ago, and Dragicevic is a pretty similar player. Fits in with how the Avalanche like to play.