2013 Draft Prospect Profile #34: Zach Nastasiuk

Nastasiuk creeps into the first round in a handful of mock drafts, be he is more than likely ticketed for the second round. He isn't a high-end offensive player, rather he is a solid two-way player who in the professional ranks will play a checking role. His scouting reports read a lot like Boone Jenner's did in his draft year.

He's got enough size and abilities without the puck that if he were to develop his offensive game more, he could turn in to a second-line winger for the NHL team that drafts him.

Check out this interview with Neate Seager of Buzzing the Net.

Scouting Reports:

Nastasiuk is one of the more interesting prospects in this draft class. Scouts have a wide range of takes on his game, but nobody objects to his physicality and intangibles. He is a very hard-working, strong forward, and he does a lot off of the puck. He pressures well on the forecheck, playing a good two-way game. He kills penalties, and can lay some good hits on opponents. He protects the puck well on the cycle, and he can be hard to move when he plants himself in front of the net. His offensive upside and his skating ability are the questionable areas of his game. His production this year was just okay (40 points in 62 games), but he did produce around a point per game in the OHL playoffs. He has above-average puck skills, but some scouts say he is not overly creative. That is not a consensus opinion, however. Scouts are also divided on his skating, with one saying it is bad, another calling it average and yet a third qualifying it as high end. I give it a grade of average, but with uncertainty. There is an argument that Nastasiuk could be a scoring line player, but there is a chance he could end up as a great third liner.
- Hockey Prospectus

Nastasiuk is among the most well rounded players in this year’s draft class. He’s a team first player who will do whatever it takes to win and lay it all on the line every shift. He never backs down from anyone and wins a lot more puck battles than he loses. He’ll block shots, his positioning is good and overall he’s excellent defensively. Nastasiuk is a very smart player and isn’t afraid to go to the dirty areas of the ice. His offensive game is good and getting better, too. He uses his strong frame to protect the puck, keep it away from oncoming defenders and is good when cycling the puck. He has a decent set of hands on him, can distribute the puck and can chip in with goals here and there, as well.
- The Hockey Guys

Why he'd be a good fit in Columbus:

I compared him to Boone Jenner earlier, and if he were picked up by the Jackets the duo would in all likelihood be linemates for years to come, forming 2/3 of the checking line and killing penalties together.

He would be a great pick 44th overall- the Jackets' second rounder.

Nastasiuk in Action:

Video courtesy of YouTube user bigwhite06