Dorian Eklund Aspe

Scouting Notes

Has some speed for a bigger player, although it is more of a lanky, straight-line speed at this stage. Doesn't look fully filled out or particularly powerful yet, and currently lacks some of the strength and stability needed on his skates. Can skate backwards, but his pivots can be unbalanced, and he falls more than you would like to see from a player of his size. There is still considerable physical development ahead, and he has the potential to become a much stronger and more powerful skater as he fills out.

Offensively, profiles as a power forward who looks to make plays through strength rather than deception or quick hands. Has a fine shot and shows good instincts around the net, with a willingness to get into the difficult areas, tip pucks and dig for loose opportunities. Comfortable playing along the boards and using his frame to protect pucks and establish the cycle. More of a shooter and puck retriever than a playmaker at this stage. Can make power moves toward the goal and create opportunities through his physicality, although his rush game and offensive decision-making remain works in progress. Can be slow to recognize opportunities in transition, and his instinct is often to establish the cycle rather than make quick plays off the rush. His passing can be inconsistent, occasionally throwing some difficult pucks for teammates to handle, but he does show the ability to create quality opportunities and there is some offensive upside to work with.

Pretty solid forechecker who can cause problems through his physical approach. Already capable of physically dominating opponents in this age group despite not being fully developed physically. Has a natural instinct to make power moves toward the goal, engages along the boards and is willing to finish checks. Defensively, has some useful tools, including a heavy defensive stick that allow him to disrupt plays, take pucks away and break up offensive possessions. Shows an ability to chip pucks off the boards in the defensive zone and help initiate breakouts. Can sometimes be indecisive defensively. However, he is willing to defend skating backwards, blocks shots and shows some awareness in supporting the defensive structure, including covering for pinching defencemen in the offensive zone. Has won some faceoffs and shows enough versatility to potentially handle centre responsibilities.

His projection is somewhat dependent on whether he ultimately plays wing or centre. In my opinion, the wing likely benefits him most, as his board play, physicality, forechecking ability and willingness to get to the net suggest a solid foundation as a power winger. He has the tools to be an effective complementary player who can win puck battles, create turnovers, establish the cycle and provide a physical presence around the net. That said, there is enough defensive awareness, faceoff ability and positional versatility to suggest he could play centre with reasonable effectiveness.

I like the floor of this player and see obvious room for growth. He already projects as a physical, board-oriented power forward and competes hard throughout the game. He isn't a particularly dynamic or polished offensive player at this stage, and his skating balance, strength and offensive processing need work. However, he has the physical potential to become a much more imposing player as he matures. Project him as a potentially useful power winger with some positional versatility and additional upside if his skating and offensive decision-making continue to develop.