The Blue Jackets have made it clear to the rest of the NHL over the last three summers: this team is being built to play a big man's game. By selecting Oscar Hemming with the 14th overall pick at last month's NHL Draft, they continued that trend.
The top prospects list was compiled by a collective ranking from all of the writers at Union and Blue: Matthew Duffey, Mike Stump, Weston Motz, Struan McNevan, and Curtis Deem. We only include players 24 years and under, with fewer than 25 NHL games. Stats are from the previous season, in the league where each player spent the most time. Projections are based on top-end upside.
Top prospect #5: LW Oscar Hemming
How we ranked him: Curtis (6), Matthew (4), Mike (5), Weston (7), Struan (5). Oscar is new to this list this summer.
Hemming certainly checks the boxes that seem to be held in highest regard by General Manager Don Waddell. At the top of the list: he's 6'4" and already nearly 200 pounds, despite not turning 18 for another few weeks.
He's also a plus skater that plays a heavy game, willing to battle in the tough areas at both ends of the ice. Defensively, he's a hard worker that uses his size to win puck battles. Then, he's very good in transition, able to hold onto the puck and buy time; or dish it quick for a rush in the other direction.
He is an underrated passer, but it's his shot that is really going to draw attention wherever he plays. Oscar has a very good release, and the puck explodes off of his stick with surprising speed and accuracy. You can see some examples here.
This past season, he was touted as a potential top-10 or even fringe top-5 pick before the campaign started. However, a transfer disagreement from his youth club in Finland would not allow him to play in the CHL.
He had been slated to play for the OHL's Kitchener Rangers, but that was never allowed to happen. So, he missed the first few months of the season before taking the NCAA route, joining Boston College just after Christmas. He wound up playing just 19 games, scoring 1 goal and 8 points while adding 18 penalty minutes and an even +/- rating.
Unfortunately for Oscar, that lost time meant a less-than-productive draft year. And, fewer scouting eyes on him. That could be a bit of fortune for the Blue Jackets, who feel very luck to have been able to pick him 14th overall.
It's easy to see why. While I don't think he will ever drive an offensive line, I do think he has enough talent to be a top-two line forward in the NHL. Ideally, that will be with a skilled playmaker either at center or on the other wing.
That's because his game is well suited for timing plays. He finds open lanes, gets to his spot, and rips the puck when he gets the opportunity. He has the potential to be a legitimate 30 goal scoring threat, while serving as a dominant physical force on both sides of the puck.
Pros: size, skating, shot, underrated playmaking
Cons: still very raw, somewhat low ceiling
Projection: second line winger
Oscar Hemming is still just 17 years old, so don't expect him to don the Union Blue sweater any time soon. Most likely, I think he will spend at least two more seasons with Boston College, where he can work to get stronger off the ice; while also improving on it.
Then, it's just a matter of time. While the Blue Jackets may not have gotten the most exciting offensive talent in the draft, I am pretty confident that Hemming will be an NHL player. The only question I have is, how high does his ceiling reach?
If they can develop him to his full potential, I think he could be a Marian Hossa or Kirill Marchenko type of player in the NHL, though maybe not as much of an offensive play driver. He has the size, skill, and two-way effectiveness that teams are always looking for. I'm interested to see how he does with a full NCAA season at his disposal.
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