Every day leading up to the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft on Tuesday, October 6, we will be profiling prospects who are likely to be in range of the Columbus Blue Jackets’ selection at #21. We will continue our player reviews of the forwards later in the week as well.
Noel Gunler
Position: RW/LW
Team: Lulea HF (SHL)
Date of Birth: October 7, 2001
Birthplace: Lulea, Sweden
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 174
Shoots: Right
Rankings
Ranked #22 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #18 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #18 by ISS HOCKEY
Ranked #45 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #19 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #9 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)
Ranked #22 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #28 by TSN/McKenzie
2019-20 Stats
Games Played: 45
Goals: 4
Assists: 9
Points: 13
PIM: 16
Dubbed one of the best shooters in his class by The Hockey Writers, Sweden native Noel Gunler could be a valuable choice for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2020 NHL Draft.
He’s young, but his scouting reports laud him for having goal-scoring instincts and drive that surpass his peers – he’s spent all of his career playing in Sweden, and shows all the potential for being a dangerous character in the NHL.
A notable trepidation about drafting him is that he’s had limited experience with playing at a national level, considering there are a lot of young prospects vying for a spot on the Sweden WJC team. As long as he’s able to translate his success he’s found from the Lulea team to the NHL level, he should be in good shape and has the potential to be a viable scoring asset for the Jackets.
Scouting Reports
Gunler creates the majority of his offence with off the puck skating patterns, the ability to find space, and relatively good timing. He’s got a great shot, and if someone can carry the puck into the offensive zone or dig it out on retrievals for him — watch out. He’s able to tag anywhere on the net with time and space. – EliteProspects 2020 NHL Draft Guide
“The 6-2, 176-pound forward possesses good passing skills, shot selection and willingness to drive to the net to create offense … He has intimidating size and earned big minutes on the power play with his soft hands and playmaking ability.” – Mike G. Morreale, NHL.com (June 22)
“Like many of the young Swedes, he’s in between being to good for the U20 league and not yet good enough to be a top six in the SHL. In any event, his ability to shoot the puck will translate.” – Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet (March 4)
Here are some highlights of his play:
What do you think? He’s not who I’m most excited about, but I think he has potential to be a sleeper scorer on whichever team he lands up on, and Columbus would be lucky to develop him.