Dennis Yan – Prospect Profile for Tampa Bay Lightning’s 3rd Round Draft Pick

Player: Dennis Yan

Drafted By: Tampa Bay Lightning

Position: Left Wing

Final Central Scouting Ranking: #30 (North American Skaters)

Height/Weight: 6’1″ / 187 lbs.

DOB: April 14, 1997

Most Recent Affiliation: Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)

 

Background

Born in Portland, Oregon but having played youth hockey in Russia, Dennis Yan has played just about everywhere in his pre-professional career. He played for the U.S. National U17 Team last season before switching over to the QMJHL, where his rights were owned by the Shawinigan Cataractes (they drafted him eighth overall at the 2014 CHL Import Draft).

Though he’s played just about everywhere, he identifies as an American, especially in international play. Yan won gold with the American U17 WHC team last year before becoming a star at the U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament this past season; the forward scored four goals and four assists in just five games at the tournament, helping the U.S. win a bronze medal.

As a QMJHL rookie this past season, Yan scored 64 points (33G, 31A) in 59 regular-season games before putting up a remarkable seven goals and one assist in just seven games.

 

Full Scouting Report

Yan is an exceptional offensive winger. He is a great skater with speed to burn and he always knows where to be on the ice – his vision and offensive awareness grant him incredible positional ability, always knowing where his teammates are on the ice. Yan has great hands and a very accurate shot, which both make him such a high-level goal-scorer. He has good size and an added element of physicality to his game.

Though Yan is so driven offensively, his defensive game can use some improvement. He’s not the hardest-working player on the ice when in non-offensive situations, so that can use some work as well. He’s got a great frame, but bulking up a bit could add to his physical game tremendously.

 

NHL Timetable

Yan is absolutely a project player. He will play the next two seasons in the QMJHL before spending perhaps a year or two in the AHL. Needs to work on his overall game in the minors and will likely not be a full-time player in the NHL until the 2020-2021 season.

 

Top-End Potential

Yan has the potential to be a second-line scoring winger in the NHL. He can be loosely compared to Thomas Vanek.

via Dennis Yan – Prospect Profile for Lightning’s No. 64 Pick – TSS.