Faceoff Factor

Prospect Profile: Simon Despres, Philip Samuelsson

Jesse Marshall | NHL Entry Draft

Jun 29, 01:23 PM | Hype this story!

#1 Pick – #30 Overall – Simon Despres – D – Saint John (QMJHL)

We had Despres ranked at #17 in Faceoff-Factor’s official top 30 for the NHL entry draft, so it goes without saying that him falling to #30 could without a doubt be considered a steal.

The first thing one notices about Simon Despres on the ice is his size. At 6’4, 205lbs, Despres is a hulking monster compared to many of his peers. He clocked in a 205, but his playing weight has been listed anywhere from 200 – 220 pounds.

That said, don’t think that Despres is your proto-typical Hal Gill-ish defenseman. Despres can skate, and that skating ability compounded with his size is what makes ranks him so high in many draft rankings.

Despres can also handle the puck better than most defenseman of his stature. His shot is nothing to write home about, but he can deliver the puck to forwards effectively and get the puck out of trouble.

Alex Grant was able to put up some monster points in Saint John as a direct result of Despres hanging back and giving him a solid presence on the defensive blueline.

So why, taking all this into account, did Simon Despres fall to #30 overall?

I think we need to take two things into account here.

First off, the selection of Calvin de Haan by the New York Islanders set off a chain reaction of teams taking guys that they had specifically liked or targeted, sending Nick Leddy to Minnesota early, along with Dylan Olsen and Phillippe Paradis after that, two players that were debatable first round choices before the draft began. These selections knocked Despres down a few pegs, enabling him to fall further and further down the line.

However, there are some red flags with Despres that may have played a factor in a few teams passing over him in the first round.

He didn’t have a particularly good World Junior experience and his performance in the President’s Cup playoff in the QMJHL left a lot to be desired.

The knock here is that Despres doesn’t use his frame enough or adapt well to a physical and up-tempo environment. His decision making can be come suspect and his ability to properly read the play comes into question quite often. Simon seems to drown a bit when the going gets tough.

For Despres, it’s a trip back to Saint John next year sans his partner Alex Grant, where he will have the opportunity to implement his physical presence onto the ice in a more consistent manner, in addition to honing his mental faculties and preparing to step to the next level.

#2 Pick – #61 Overall – Philip Samuelsson – D – Chicago Steel (USHL)

The Penguins have made a habit out of selecting the lesser-known partner of a hyped defenseman in the NHL draft.

It started several years ago when the Penguins selected Kristopher Letang, who was paired with the late Luc Bourdon in Val d’Or. Last year, it continued when the Penguins selected Nick D’Agostino in the 7th round, who was the partner of the New Jersey Devils #52 overall selection, Brandon Burlon.

This year, the Penguins did it yet again, selecting Philip Samuelsson, who was the partner of the #21 overall selection in this year’s draft, John Moore.

The son of former Penguins bruiser Ulf Samuelsson, Philip isn’t as nasty as his father is, but he is a very solid defensive defenseman.

If I could liken this pick to another selection the Penguins have made in the last few years, I would say it is very much akin to the Brian Strait selection.

Strait, who is on the verge of signing an entry level deal with the Penguins to leave Boston University and come to the AHL, reminds me of Samuelsson in many ways.

Philip is very raw, but is very smart, and extremely solid in his own net.

He isn’t the best skater ever, but his long reach enables him to poke the puck off the stick of opposing forwards without getting stuck in a footrace.

Philip’s strengths are board work, smarts, and a commitment to protecting the front of his own net and bruising anyone that is screening the goaltender. Wearing the old man’s number five, Philip is a far cry from what Ulf was, but exhibits the understanding of the game and the willingness to make the opposition pay the price for coming into high traffic areas with the puck.

Philip isn’t totally devoid of puck handling abilities, either. His 22 assists this year exhibit his ability to remain calm with the puck and avoid turnovers in his own zone.

Philip had quite a bit of hype at the beginning of the year, and started the season floating around just outside the ISS top 30 in October. However, playing in the USHL behind John Moore, it was difficult for him to keep that hype about him, and he fell right into the Penguins lap.

This is a no frills pick. Philip has a long way to go in his development, and he’ll receive some great input from the staff at Boston College, but it could be worth the wait.

Stay tuned for more profiles of this year’s draft class, including my personal favorite selection of this year, Ben Hanowski.