2018 Draft Prospect Profile: Ryan McLeod
The center prospect is solid if unspectacular, and has potential to be a middle six center for a long time in the NHL.
Ryan McLeod
Date of birth: September 21, 1999
Position: Center
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 190 pounds
Place of birth: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Team: Mississauga Steelheads
Shoots: Left
Ryan McLeod, younger brother of former New Jersey Devils first round pick Michael McLeod, comes into the league as a solid skater with above average mobility, particularly for his size. His passing ability is top notch, and his play drives possession. McLeod will likely be a middle six center at the NHL level.
Scouting Reports
McLeod combines that size with speed and playmaking ability to create the potential necessary for scouts to consider him a first-round talent. As a player the team now relies on he was made an alternate captain for the Steelheads this season. Production-wise, McLeod has put up respectable, if not world-beating, stats for a projected first-round prospect. He has significantly improved in each of his three OHL seasons. Putting up 20 points as a 16-year-old rookie, 42 in his second season, and now 70 in 68 games as an 18-year-old in his draft season.
McLeod is a possession driver. He does his best work when the puck is on his stick. He has the ability and strength to maintain possession in traffic, as well as the speed to beat defenders on the outside. While his play away from the puck can still use work, McLeod’s ability to maintain possession allows for a greater potential for success on any given shift. This is evident through his 2.68 GF%rel. He is on the ice for a higher goal for percentage than his teammates, which is impressive given that he plays with high-end offensive players like his brother Michael and Owen Tippett.
Stats
Stats via Elite Prospects