DRAFT PROFILE: Kole Lind
Prepare for the 2017 NHL Draft with profiles on some of the top prospects
by Chris Wescott / EdmontonOilers.com Head Writer
Born: October 16, 1998
Age: 18
Hometown: Shaunavon, SK
Height: 6-1
Weight: 178
Position: RW
Team: Kelowna (WHL)
CSS Rank: 23rd among North American Skaters
His business-like game on the ice has earned Kole Lind the nod as NHL Central Scouting's 23rd-ranked North American Skater.
An up-and-down winger, Lind doesn't have the same "flash" as other prospects, per The Hockey News but there is skill there as well.
Lind is coming off a career year in the WHL, scoring 30 goals and totaling 87 points in 70 games. In the playoffs, Lind recorded six goals and six assists in 17 games.
"He's one of those guys you look at the scoresheet and he had a little more of an impact on the game than you thought he did," a scout said, per The Hockey News.
Lind's impact on the ice can come in a number of ways. International Scouting Services calls the athlete's vision and skill-set "high-end" and calls him one of the best pure passers in the 2017 draft class.
The scouting report on Lind has him marked as a quick, smooth-skating winger with second or third-line potential.
Future Considerations mirrors ISS' observations of his vision and passing ability, saying Lind "always finds the open player."
Lind is continuing to evolve his game and show there's more skill behind his up-and-down style.
Lind lists fellow Saskatchewan native and Oilers winger Jordan Eberle as his childhood hockey idol.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"Lind is a smooth-skating playmaker who doesn't mesmerize visually, but is consistently executing good plays. He has a solid range of gears to his skating and can achieve a separation speed quickly. He plays the game at a good place and has strong puck protection skills, thriving in puck possession. He is excellent in transition and makes very sensible choices on the rush. He has great vision on the ice and always finds the open player. He knows where to be on the ice at all times, finding ways to get himself open for chances on goal." - Future Considerations