Each day over the next month leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, held on June 22 in Dallas, we will be taking a look at the top 31 prospects available, starting with the 31st and leading up to number one.
Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 11th-ranked prospect, center Barrett Hayton.
Barrett Hayton
2017–18 Team: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
Date of Birth: June 9, 2000
Place of Birth: Peterborough, ON
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 190 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: C
NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 9
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 6
NHL Comparable: Patrice Bergeron
Barrett Hayton is a highly effective two-way center playing for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League. Despite playing on a team loaded with high-end talent, Hayton has established himself as a go-to player thanks to his sound all-around game.
Hayton skates well, with good speed and acceleration. He is very comfortable in his skates and is able to move around the ice very well. Hayton has very good balance and power because of his strong legs, which also allow him to fight through checks and establish position in front of the net, whether on offense or defense. Hayton also uses his skating to protect the puck well.
Shooting is a strong suit for Hayton. He has a very powerful shot and gets it off quickly. Hayton’s lethal wrist shot is his best weapon, though his snapshot is also very effective. He is not always the most accurate shooter, and this is something he needs to work on to be successful offensively at the next level, but Hayton has shown signs of improvement. His slapshot is definitely his weakest shot, as he needs to develop more upper-body strength for it to become a threat.
Hayton excels offensively by getting to the front of the net, where he can cause havoc and generate scoring chances. He has very good hand-eye coordination, tipping pucks and banging home rebounds. His lower-body strength allows him to hold his own and maintain positioning against bigger defenders.
Defensively, Hayton is very responsible. He regularly comes deep into the defensive zone to help his defensemen and cover opposing players. His lower-body strength allows him to effectively clear the front of the net and win puck battles along the boards. Hayton is very good positionally and almost always finds himself between the puck and his net, allowing him to break up passing and shooting lanes well.
Hayton is a very reliable player and teams and coaches know what to expect from him. He has a high compete level and does just about everything well. He does not have one area of his game that is elite, per se, but because of his ability to do a bit of everything, he is a highly effective player who should enjoy a long and successful NHL career.
Implications for the Blackhawks
While Hayton is considered to be among the safer, more well-rounded players available in the draft, his lack of high-end offensive ability will likely keep him from cracking the top 10, so the Hawks will likely look elsewhere when on the clock with the eighth pick. Hayton is expected to be selected somewhere in the 10–15 range, so unless Chicago moves back from eight or up from 27, Hayton will not be headed to the Windy City.
Timeline
Hayton will need some more time to get a little stronger and to improve his foot speed. While he is not a slow skater by any means, increased speed will really round out his game and help him at the next level. He needs to improve the accuracy of his shooting and needs to become a more consistent player as well, as he regularly has good games and bad games. Hayton will not be in the NHL next season, but if he develops well with Sault Ste. Marie, he could earn a spot on an NHL roster as soon as 2019–20.
Projection
Hayton lacks the high-end offensive ability needed to be a first line player in the NHL, but should be an effective player in a team’s middle six. He has played both center and left-wing this season, which will give him more flexibility to float around in a lineup. On the high-end, Hayton could become a good two-way second line center who can produce offensively. On the low-end, Hayton would be a third liner, either at center or on the wing, and be an effective two-way player.
What others are saying
“Hayton plays a straightforward game. He protects the puck well on the cycle and has some soft hands. However, he is not the type of forward to dangle a defenceman and get past him in a one-on-one situation. Instead, Hayton looks to keep the puck moving, find the open man, and then get it to the net. He is a smart player, who makes quick, smart plays with the puck on his stick. He is also good on the forecheck. While he does not lay a lot of big hits, he gets in quickly, pressuring defenders and creating turnovers.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey
“Slick, two-way center who can beat you in a variety of ways. Whether you view Hayton as the beneficiary of a deep supporting cast, or a key cog in Sault Ste Marie’s attack, the truth is he very much is a very skilled, heady player. He has excellent vision and makes most defenders miss when he’s controlling the puck below the circles. Hayton’s a strong skater with excellent balance. He won’t blow past defenders immediately after his first or second step, but his straight-line speed when combined with the likelihood of a sudden change in direction keeps opponents guessing. Hayton is both shifty and crafty with the puck, plus he’s capable of making high-percentage plays on his backhand. He knows how to finish around the goal, but he’s also shown to favor his lethal wrist shot from anywhere near the circles. Again, this kid is very hard to prepare for — both before a game and right when he hops over the boards. He can be a relentless forechecker, especially on the penalty kill, and he will use his body effectively to protect the puck. He has top-line upside and should be expected to dominate the OHL next season when his role is expanded.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_HTlBHRxmQ