Zach Yuen will re-enter the draft in the 2013 NHL draft

In 2011, the Winnipeg Jets returned to the NHL after relocating from Atlanta.  The buzz surrounding the team was almost palpable.  Having struggled through many years of piss-poor management, lackluster attendance, and atrocious team results, Atlanta surrendered the reigns to True North Sports and Entertainment to bring the team back to Canada.At the draft, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff selected Mark Scheifele as their honorary 1st pick since 1996.  Another player they were pining for was defenseman, Zachary Yuen.

The Jets decided to move up in the draft by trading a 5th and a 7th round pick for a 4th round pick 119th overall to select Yuen.  After coming off an impressive season with the WHL’s Tri-City Americans, it looked like Winnipeg wouldn’t rush him, let him develop in juniors, and sign him when he was willing to make the next step to the professional level.

Two years later, the Winnipeg Jets don’t have their 4th, 5th, or 7th round picks from 2011.  Zach Yuen was released by the team and was never able to come to a contract agreement.  He no longer has a team and finds himself in the same position he was in two years ago.  But there is hope.

Since he was not signed by Winnipeg to an entry-level contract with him by 4:00pm on June 1st, Yuen will be re-entered into the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.  The Philadelphia Flyers should take notice.

Zach Yuen Overview

Yuen’s inclusion in this year’s NHL draft on June 30th has just upgraded the quality of defensemen able to be selected.  He’s a prolific two-way defenseman with some of the most fluid skating you’ve ever seen.  Growing up, he was a figure skater, so his edge-work, agility, and explosiveness are nearly flawless.

A distinguished player in his own end, you likely won’t notice him much in the defensive zone, which tends to be a good thing.  He plays a simple style of hockey and with very little mistakes.  Yuen doesn’t rush the puck up ice, but his transition game is very apparent. He makes smart plays, not flashy ones.

Physicality is an aspect every defenseman should have in their repertoire.  Yuen’s game boasts it.  With his positional play, separating a player from the puck doesn’t take much.  His board play stands out and will entertain throwing some fisticuffs (seen below):

His defensive positioning and awareness has been his backbone.  Leading up to the 2011 draft, the term “shutdown defenseman” was being thrown around in regards to his style.  But it seems his offensive game has rounded out just as well.

Yuen mentioned his biggest asset was his “two-way game. I think I’m an all-around defenceman who can do a bit of shutting down other teams’ top lines. I can rush the puck well and move the puck well.”

Zach has a heavy shot from the point (and more importantly, accurate).  He can run a powerplay, if need be.  His passing is crisp and his hockey IQ is through the roof.  The Winnipeg Jets could have made a very bad decision by letting him go.

A 6’0″, 205 lbs defenseman is not prototypical in today’s NHL.  However, Zach shows all the signs that he will be a capable defenseman at the next level.  This is a pretty bad scenario for the Jets, but a potentially key acquisition for general managers in desperate need of a matured, technically sound, efficient blueliner…

via Zach Yuen: Flyers Get A Second Chance to Draft Him.