We are less than a week away from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft (July 23-24), so it’s time to start researching the prospects likely to be selected in the first round. The Columbus Blue Jackets currently hold three picks in that round: #5, #24, and #31.
Zachary L’Heureux
Position: Center
Team: Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Date of Birth: May 15, 2003
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 196
Shoots: Left
Rankings
Ranked #29 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #27 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #45 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #30 by NEUTRAL ZONE
Ranked #25 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #31 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #12 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #30 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #31 by SPORTSNET
Ranked #28 by ISS HOCKEY
Ranked #43 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #40 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #19 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #35 by SMAHT SCOUTING
Ranked #12 by THE PUCK AUTHORITY
2020-21 Stats
Games Played: 33
Goals: 19
Assists: 20
Points: 39
PIM: 47
The first thing that jumps out about L’Heureux’s numbers is his point-per-game pace last season in the Q. The second thing that jumps out is the 47 penalty minutes in just 33 games. L’Heureux appears to be a bit of a hot head, and will need to develop discipline by the time he reaches the NHL. The good news is his aggression can also be channeled in productive ways on the defensive side of the ice. Once he steals the puck, he excels at moving it up ice and setting up his teammates for scoring opportunities.
He sounds like an instant fan favorite and worth considering with one of the late first round picks.
Scouting Reports
L’Heureux is hard to miss when he’s on the ice. He’s a little fireball who is full of skill. He is a very imaginative puckhandler, with some of the best hands in the draft who can beat most defenders with his dekes. If he can’t get through someone with his skill, he shows no fear to lower his shoulder and barrel towards the net. He’s also quite physical off the puck and competes at a high level. For a 5-foot-11 player, he lacks the skating ability you’d like to see to separate from checks. The talent and production is great, but he was suspended several times this season, including for spitting on a player. In a sentence, L’Heureux projects as a middle-six NHL winger who will need to control his aggression. – Corey Pronman, The Athletic
I’ve been warned by two sources about his attitude — he was suspended this year for spitting on an opponent — and he’s got a short temper that puts him in the penalty box too much for my liking. He’s going to need to learn to play within himself and stay on the right side of a fine line. And while he possesses a lot of the tools teams look for in “hard to play against” middle-six scorers with skill, buyer beware. He’s going to be picked higher than this but I can’t seem to wrap my head around some of his actions. – Scott Wheeler, The Athletic
So much of L’Heureux’s game is defined by his physicality. He’s an enthusiastic hitter, one who’s put more than his fair share of poor opponents into the boards or onto their asses. He’ll get under his opponent’s skin after the whistles. He’ll fight. He’ll mix it up. His problem-solving ability through secondary and tertiary defensive variables lets him make plays where others would struggle to retain possession. -EliteProspects 2021 NHL Draft Guide